I have a car that I dont drive that much but once I week I start her up and let the engine run for about 20-30 minutes. Today however, I started her up around 12:30pm and forgot to cut the car off until around 8pm. Is this really bad on her or what? Ive never had that happen to me before, I completely forgot about the car. How much damage have I caused by letting it run idle for such a long time?
2007-09-23 16:25:40 · 10 answers · asked by NIKFAY 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
You should avoid doing this, in my opinion. Engines are designed so that proper lubrication occurs at driving speed.
The rings for instance, depend on good oil pressure so that the oil sprays out of the top of the connecting rod. and splashes all around the area. If your engine is worn or idling, the oil pressure wont be up to par and this could cause excess wear of the rings and cylinder walls. Also the valve train could be oil starved for the same reason.
Best to take it for a drive once in a while.
2007-09-23 16:52:38 · answer #1 · answered by Trump 2020 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are going to run the engine you need to DRIVE it for about 30 minutes or let it idle till it reaches operating temp and then let run for at least an additional 30 minutes. Starting and idling for short periods will cause water condensation in the oil pan. This can cause lots of damage. If you live in a cold or high humidity climate it will be worse. You are better off to let the car sit for two or three weeks and then drive it. if your battery runs down, it shouldn't if it's in good shape, then keep a charger handy or put a trickle charger on it. Much cheaper than damaging your engine.
2007-09-23 16:58:45 · answer #2 · answered by tronary 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The best thing to do is: drive it till the motor/coolant heats up. Letting it sit and idle actually builds up condensation in the motor ( you can see it on the oil filler cap - the dirty white foamy oil) . Not to mention can make the exhaust system rust faster ( you'll see water dripping from tailpipe). Just running the motor dosent help the other components- like brakes ( will eventually seize up from sitting) - tires can develop a 'flat spot' . Gaskets can start leaking. Change the oil as well - it absorbs water and could eventually ruin the main berings in the motor.
Youre probably lucky noone stole it while it was sitting there idling.
If youre going to let it sit and idle, youre better off just leaving it off. The best thing is to actually drive it somewhere and back. If youre worried about the battery - purchase a trickle charger.
2007-09-24 05:05:49 · answer #3 · answered by The Kidd 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
None--our trucks and cars run 24 hours a day--mostly idling. Just check the oil and make sure that level is OK. If there are no apparent problems--go for a long hiway run--you should be OK
2007-09-23 16:34:23 · answer #4 · answered by fire_inur_eyes 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you wont hurt anything by doing this,it just used a lot of gas while it was running,that's about it,as far as hurting anything ,you didn't ,its good for them to run once in a while,i have an antique car i start up like this once in a while,and let it run a while also,in the past 3 years it hasn't hurt a thing on it,you just used up some of the old gas in it,that's about it,good luck with it.
2007-09-23 16:32:55 · answer #5 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it didn't over heat, none. If it was still running when you found it a 8:00, no harm done.
2007-09-23 16:32:44 · answer #6 · answered by Lab 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It shouldn't have caused any damage. Except for your wallet, which where the wasted gas money comes from. =]
2007-09-23 16:31:48 · answer #7 · answered by iRock. 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Unless it overheated (unlikely), it should be OK.
2007-09-23 16:33:59 · answer #8 · answered by goltain 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
YOUR CAR IS FINE
YOU HAVE DONE NO DAMAGE
ALL YOU HAVE DONE IS WASTED GAS
2007-09-23 16:32:20 · answer #9 · answered by zengelic 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No problems at all.
2007-09-23 17:02:27 · answer #10 · answered by Firebird 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋