Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all.

Just wondering how beneficial it would be to turn the engine over a few times before starting from cold.

The majority of engine wear takes place when cold-starting, so will cranking the engine with ign. off get the oil flowing and reduce wear or is it a waste of time?

I cringe every time I hear people say "I only drive it in and out of the garage" or "I start the engine a few times a month to keep it ticking over". Such actions definitely cause more harm than good.

With the boat engine, which is used infrequently, I do exactly what you suggest. With the Minor, which is used every day, I just start it and go. Using the starting handle to prime the oil certainly won't do any harm, and could arguably be very beneficial.

Why use the handle?

True, there is no need to use the handle as there's that push-button thing on the bulkhead. If you're doing it every day though it will take its toll on the battery because of the load and current drawn by the starter (we all know how fun it is turning a cold engine by the handle)

Or just fit a switch under the dash that cuts power to the primary of the distributor -- that way you can crank it over without starting using the key -- happily sitting in the driver's seat. If you hide the switch it's also an anti-theft device.

Hahahahaha - I have that in my TR7 -amazing the times I crank it for ages and curse it for not firing......and then I remember.

Pull the starter knob with the ignition key off or turn the engine over with the choke in.

people this is not a discussion on the various methods of cranking an engine!! I want to know if will it do any good by possibly reducing engine wear or is there no point???

It is bound to help. I usually do it if the car has not been started for a week or so but don't know if I would bother if it was used evey day. You can watch the oil pressure build up if you have a gauge, or on a Minor if you crank long enough the oil pressure warning lamp goes off.

I'll second Beero. There is probably enough oil on all the important surfaces if the car has only been sitting overnight. After a week there's certainly going to be less. That's one reason to use a multi-viscosity oil (like 20/50), so the oil is skinny at start-up and lubricates everything sooner. Sort of the same logic.

I turn the Traveller engine over with the choke in - It stops the ends rattling when it fires up

It will help by 0.001% - and will knacker the battery 50%...... You can work out the balance yourself!

the only time it would be of any benefit would be if the engine is worn and you are getting the death rattle on start up because of worn bearings.In a fit engine the instant it starts or a split second after ,the oil pressure is up. there should be oil held in the bearings from the last time it was run if the bearings are ok.I