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Author	Topic: Pouring boiling water over a cold engine every morning - will it save MPGs or damage the engine?	Topic is locked Back to Topics

ragnarkar Rookie Author Orange County Posts:55 Points:3,200 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Apr 9, 2010 12:26:32 AM Ignore ragnarkar Report Abuse So if it's cheaper to burn natural gas (or if all your utilities are paid for in the home you rent), then you can boil a gallon or so of water every morning, open the hood, and pour it over the engine so it'll warm up faster, thus increasing MPG. It sounds good in theory but will it damage the engine in any way? I don't pay utilities here so the cost of boiling the water every morning is irrelevant. So will it: A) Yield somewhat better MPG due to starting with a warmer engine? B) Make so little difference it won't be worth it? and/or C) Damage your car's engine and/or internals? [Edited by: ragnarkar at 4/9/2010 12:28:09 AM EST]

ragnarkar

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Orange County

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Points:3,200
Joined:Mar 2010

Message Posted: Apr 9, 2010 12:26:32 AM

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So if it's cheaper to burn natural gas (or if all your utilities are paid for in the home you rent), then you can boil a gallon or so of water every morning, open the hood, and pour it over the engine so it'll warm up faster, thus increasing MPG.

It sounds good in theory but will it damage the engine in any way? I don't pay utilities here so the cost of boiling the water every morning is irrelevant.

So will it:

A) Yield somewhat better MPG due to starting with a warmer engine?
B) Make so little difference it won't be worth it?

and/or

C) Damage your car's engine and/or internals?

[Edited by: ragnarkar at 4/9/2010 12:28:09 AM EST]

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Weaslespit Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:9,390 Points:333,910 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jun 9, 2010 9:24:11 PM Ignore Weaslespit Report Abuse Seriously, time to lock this one Mods!
gougedQC Champion Author Montreal Posts:5,140 Points:69,985 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jun 9, 2010 7:46:41 PM Ignore gougedQC Report Abuse for heaven's sake, let this stupid joke die. do not respond...
VetteBlue Champion Author San Jose Posts:8,023 Points:1,612,720 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jun 6, 2010 9:13:57 AM Ignore VetteBlue Report Abuse Bull
cheap2010skate Champion Author Tampa Posts:3,806 Points:635,535 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2010 5:16:52 PM Ignore cheap2010skate Report Abuse I've heard of this before, but won't do it myself. I don't know of anyone who actually does it.
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,106 Points:1,870,850 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2010 9:40:20 AM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse well, why doesn't a mod lock this like he locked other stupid threads?
gougedQC Champion Author Montreal Posts:5,140 Points:69,985 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2010 8:38:59 AM Ignore gougedQC Report Abuse C'mon folks, this is such an incredibly stupid idea, it was probably posted as a joke... LET IT DIE! [Edited by: gougedQC at 6/4/2010 8:39:53 EST]
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,184 Points:2,457,575 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2010 8:18:57 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse I wouldn't pour boiling water on top of an engine for fear of possibly cracking. It's probably not likely, but I'm sure that the goal is to warm the oil in the crankcase, and there are better ways to do this than boiling water. Plus, I don't believe boiling water (unless you had many gallons of it) would warm the oil.
GasPasserAB Champion Author Edmonton Posts:25,611 Points:915,875 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2010 2:19:26 AM Ignore GasPasserAB Report Abuse Should the temperature drop near the freezing point, the boiling water could adversely affect your engine, perhaps even crack the head or block. I would advise against this action.
tmottl Rookie Author New York Posts:13 Points:400 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: May 23, 2010 7:55:07 AM Ignore tmottl Report Abuse You have got to be kidding me, right? Waste energy to heat water then pout it over your engine? This is the reason they put those little warning labels on lets say, Preparation H. lmao!!
Weaslespit Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:9,390 Points:333,910 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 16, 2010 11:59:44 AM Ignore Weaslespit Report Abuse I burn the walls in my house in the Winter to save on natural gas for heating. Much more gas saved than this dumb idea!
ekelly7 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:18,291 Points:3,528,700 Joined:Oct 2001	Message Posted: May 15, 2010 8:32:33 AM Ignore ekelly7 Report Abuse you try it and get back to us
gougedQC Champion Author Montreal Posts:5,140 Points:69,985 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 14, 2010 6:27:46 PM Ignore gougedQC Report Abuse BARON- agreed- this is so stupid it must be a hoax,... people this stupid should be prevented from driving let this thread die.
cmanzi77 Rookie Author Philadelphia Posts:80 Points:65,010 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: May 14, 2010 6:18:38 PM Ignore cmanzi77 Report Abuse This is a crazy analysis you have come up with. Not only is doing that a waste of time but won't do anything. The best thing you could do it let your car idle for at least half a minute. It's not so much the cold engine that's a factor, but letting the oil flow and getting to where it needs to be is what is more important. Once you have done that, just keep the RPMs as low as you can until the car warms itself up. Lubrication is important! [Edited by: cmanzi77 at 5/14/2010 6:19:32 PM EST]
Baron62nd Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,160 Points:1,697,025 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: May 14, 2010 6:05:57 PM Ignore Baron62nd Report Abuse Somebody buy this guy a block heater and let this sick dog die!
kslgas Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,413 Points:1,626,980 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: May 14, 2010 10:06:05 AM Ignore kslgas Report Abuse C
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,949 Points:2,081,505 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: May 12, 2010 8:24:53 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse It doesn't seem the most intelligent move to make, or am I missing something?
SiRMatt Rookie Author Vancouver Posts:42 Points:33,265 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 10:34:30 PM Ignore SiRMatt Report Abuse I normally don't flame on people in forums, but seriously this is the stupidest thing I have ever heard, pouring how ever many litres, (or gallons for all you americans) would be so ineffective, that by the time the engine was warm enough to save you mpg, you'd have a crowd of people laughing and pointing at you, as if your were the village idiot, Oh wait nevermind, you are! ha ha ha.. This really made my day, id like to thank the author of this thread for giving me a laugh and a half.
SiRMatt Rookie Author Vancouver Posts:42 Points:33,265 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 10:30:46 PM Ignore SiRMatt Report Abuse This is hands down the stupidest thing I have ever heard, next to " can I put regular gas in my acura rsx-s?" If you can't afford the extra cents in gas to warm up your car, don't drive, and simply hop on the next loser cruiser to work (the bus)
marcoson1231 Rookie Author New York Posts:1 Points:220 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 9:08:40 AM Ignore marcoson1231 Report Abuse definitely not the best idea, just cut down your warming-up-your-car-time and drive slowly. gas is not wasted vs idling and your engine will warm up the proper way the little gas you save vs the potential of damaging other parts of your engine is not worth it
Maintroll Champion Author Lexington Posts:8,774 Points:1,730,835 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2010 7:56:29 AM Ignore Maintroll Report Abuse You sound like some dense airhead to say the least.
TheBradMan Rookie Author Minnesota Posts:63 Points:25,505 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 10, 2010 11:29:29 PM Ignore TheBradMan Report Abuse spam...
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,949 Points:2,081,505 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2010 8:11:43 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Strange methodology
WEPSMAN Champion Author South Dakota Posts:10,609 Points:2,049,025 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2010 7:48:05 AM Ignore WEPSMAN Report Abuse Rookies never cease to amaze me with their posts. I am with GVAN, light a fire under your car every morning to heat it up. For good entertainment, I would wait until it is really cold and then use the hottest water you can get and dump it on the engine block. See what happens.
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,758 Points:2,863,990 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Apr 26, 2010 2:53:14 PM Ignore gvan Report Abuse Have you tried building a small fire under your oil pan to heat up the engine?
Ernman Champion Author Orlando Posts:3,494 Points:982,340 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Apr 25, 2010 3:57:42 PM Ignore Ernman Report Abuse Won't help much, may damage your wiring. Better to just keep the car in the garage at night. Hope this is a serious post?!?!
Matrixowner Rookie Author Connecticut Posts:46 Points:22,260 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Apr 24, 2010 6:22:43 PM Ignore Matrixowner Report Abuse Another nutty idea.
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:11,036 Points:2,159,245 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Apr 22, 2010 11:09:25 PM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse Its far better to use a block heater or, if not already set up for one, a oil dipstick type heater would do. It adds heat directly to an engine safely. It is recommended for very cold places like International Falls, MN. or Fairbanks, AK. You plug it in when you go inside and turn it on from inside 0.5-2 hours before you will start it (all night in <-40F temperatures).
gougedQC Champion Author Montreal Posts:5,140 Points:69,985 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 22, 2010 9:13:31 PM Ignore gougedQC Report Abuse boy, this sounds like a question for a TV show like = "are you really dumber than a 5th grader?" but its such a dumb idea that it can't be serious
Sportsmaster21 Champion Author West Virginia Posts:3,751 Points:572,555 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 21, 2010 10:30:57 PM Ignore Sportsmaster21 Report Abuse Umm...seriously dude? Whatever you're smokin, I'd love to get some of it.
FuelPump Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:21,609 Points:3,442,700 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Apr 21, 2010 2:12:47 PM Ignore FuelPump Report Abuse I can only hope this is not a real question, just a joke!!!!!
Fencemaker Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:3,526 Points:1,151,920 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Apr 21, 2010 12:51:06 PM Ignore Fencemaker Report Abuse Seriously? Are you really planning to boil a pot of water every morning, walk outside to your car w/out spilling it on yourself every day, and then pour this boiling water on your engine without splashing it all over yourself? That doesn't sound much like an effective use of your time, money, and energy.
klr650guy Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,729 Points:482,370 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Apr 20, 2010 11:22:44 PM Ignore klr650guy Report Abuse If you ever start doing that to your poor car, and then go to sell it, please be sure to tell the prospective buyers how badly you treated it each day. I would want a serious discount off any car that was treated in such a manner if I were to be buying it.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,410 Points:695,260 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Apr 19, 2010 10:47:32 AM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse RAGNARKAR: Get a block heater installed and treat your engine right.
Baron62nd Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,160 Points:1,697,025 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Apr 19, 2010 10:26:42 AM Ignore Baron62nd Report Abuse Consider the weight of the steel, iron, and aluminum in an engine, my 460 weighs about 720 pounds; my 3800 Buick engine weighs about 380 pounds, a 4 cylinder Chevy Vega engine weighs about 285 pounds. How much will a tea kettle or a gallon of water heat 300 to 700 pounds of steel, iron, and aluminum? Now consider that the heat has to be in the combustion chamber to do any good at all. It will increase your mpg to warm up the engine before driving, but even without testing this has to be an ineffective way to do this. A much more cost effective way would be a block heater that heats the coolant around the cylinders.
focusvt Champion Author Detroit Posts:9,439 Points:1,622,380 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2010 5:58:30 PM Ignore focusvt Report Abuse won't warm the block so it won't make much difference. Not a good idea.
jes Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:16,295 Points:3,378,225 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2010 3:43:19 PM Ignore jes Report Abuse This is a first for me.
CRAZYKAYFREAK All-Star Author Missouri Posts:674 Points:28,080 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2010 10:08:52 AM Ignore CRAZYKAYFREAK Report Abuse I don't know much about cars but this just sounds like a bad idea.
DasAuto92 Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,474 Points:183,625 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2010 11:35:18 PM Ignore DasAuto92 Report Abuse Hey Ragnarkar..don't bogart that joint my friend!!I have trouble boiling water for that 1st coffee in the morning, let alone i'm going to stand outside like a schmuck pouring it on my engine...oye ga vault
gunmunky Sophomore Author Minnesota Posts:135 Points:297,000 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2010 4:05:10 PM Ignore gunmunky Report Abuse I want what he's smok'in!!!!!!!
ajhoier Champion Author Florida Posts:1,065 Points:67,965 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2010 2:05:02 PM Ignore ajhoier Report Abuse "I wouldn't do that - just because moisture is not good for electric parts, circuit boards and wires." I've been told, and have also read that the vehicle manufacturers have all/most of the electrical "sealed" in some way or another so that water will not affect it. After all, there ARE people who use pressure washers at car washes to clean under their hood....BUT, I know my vehicles owner manual states specifically DO NOT use any water "under the hood" for cleaning....perhaps they are just being too "over protective" in fear that someone would over-saturate something....but they are cars, most sit outside, go through puddles, and drive in rain...they gotta be able to get wet. BUT, pouring boiling HOT water onto an extremely COLD surface doesn't sound like a good idea; says the guy who had a friend who thought it would be a good idea to "express defrost" his windshield with a pot of boiling water. 120oF water hitting a 20oF cold windshield - let's just say he didn't make it to school that day and had to call Safelite for a windshield replacement :) I'd imagine something similar could happen under the hood.....?
CRAZYKAYFREAK All-Star Author Missouri Posts:674 Points:28,080 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2010 10:11:23 AM Ignore CRAZYKAYFREAK Report Abuse Sounds odd to me.
CptSteve Champion Author Illinois Posts:13,306 Points:2,671,915 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2010 10:03:53 AM Ignore CptSteve Report Abuse Surely this is a joke. But supposing for a minute that you are serious; it would take a lot more than a gallon of boiling water to raise the block temp enough to matter. Plus the oil pan tends to be UNDER the engine and getting the oil warm would be the key so pouring it OVER the engine won't even reach the oil mostly. If getting your block warm faster is a big deal where you live (don't recall it getting that cold in San Jose), invest in a block heater and plug it in on a timer each night so it kicks on an hour or so before you leave.
ekelly7 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:18,291 Points:3,528,700 Joined:Oct 2001	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2010 4:35:10 AM Ignore ekelly7 Report Abuse what heats the water to start with?
BUSSY Champion Author Dallas Posts:10,045 Points:1,565,190 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2010 7:06:22 PM Ignore BUSSY Report Abuse Why do we respond to posts such as this? We all should be ashamed of our selves.
CrazgsupS All-Star Author San Diego Posts:516 Points:55,940 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2010 12:47:19 PM Ignore CrazgsupS Report Abuse Such good comments. Those in subzero know best. My take is keep your car inside garage, cover it, or take taxi.
Dale Jr. Champion Author Illinois Posts:16,369 Points:3,264,750 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2010 12:28:43 PM Ignore Dale Jr. Report Abuse I would like to know who told you this.
airduct Champion Author Florida Posts:11,319 Points:293,020 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2010 9:46:50 AM Ignore airduct Report Abuse You need to baby your engine. Try hot chicken soup.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,184 Points:2,457,575 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Apr 10, 2010 9:53:08 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse I wouldn't do this. If you're wanting to warm the engine (the goal is actually to warm the oil enough that it'll flow adequately and lube the engine), I'd think that installing some kind of block-warmer or put an electric blanket over it or something like that would be the thing to do. Personally, I'd check with auto-parts stores to find a good solution rather than trying to come up with something that might not be safe.
thirteen1 All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:598 Points:233,315 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Apr 9, 2010 8:04:25 PM Ignore thirteen1 Report Abuse I think you are reaching. The engine will absorb the heat from the water quickly without any benefit (except a wet ignition system). Don't waste your time.
cheap2010skate Champion Author Tampa Posts:3,806 Points:635,535 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Apr 9, 2010 1:59:36 PM Ignore cheap2010skate Report Abuse Never heard of doing such a thing and would not try it.