squeaks rattles and cold

[Alfa Romeo Search and Rescue Society <alfabill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Paul Irvine asks why the sqeaks and rattles diminish in his car in
cooler temps.

	I would suspect it is simply contraction of all the "loose" parts,
making them temporarily tighter. Try it a 10 below, it's like a rock...
:o)	
	As far as the oil thing goes, Mobil 1 makes a 0w30 weight oil, which
should cure any starting woes. Synthetics are reported to flow better at
below 0 temps.
	In those temps (I'm from upstate NY where it got plenty cold)
it is not just the engine that needs respect. Electrical systems demand
is much greater in the cold, batteries put out less, thicker oil takes
more to crank... I wouldn't worry too much about a bit higher oil
consumption, vs. not getting it started. Be gentle on the poor thing.
All parts are under greater stress in that sort of cold.

	Isn't it amazing that cars are so adaptable. I took my 168 from balmy
sea level to 9000+ feet, 90 degrees to 28 degrees, all inside of a month
and literally needed to do nothing to the car and ther was no  major
difference in operating performance.

A block heater? Why not? It sure wouldn't hurt anything and what's wrong
with instant heat? Been there, froze that.
- -- 

Bill Harkell--Tampa Florida ( no block heaters here...)
"Pity those who don't know the redline cry of an Alfa V-6" -Anon.
"Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom" -AmiSue1
Homepage: http://pw2.netcom.com/~alfabill/welcome.htm

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