Driving with choke on - what damage can occur?

archat68 · 12th December 2008, 09:07

Hi,
I have a carb Zen. In the morning I often has to use choke to start the car and warm it up. What the problem is - on a few occation I forgot to push the choke to its normal position and drove the car with it - though not graet distances - mostly 1 - 1.5 Km. After which I realized the mistake and corrected it.
My question is what damage can occur to the car if driven with choke on apart from fuel wastage?

anupmathur · 12th December 2008, 09:20

No damage. Just that your car is running 'richer' and making you poorer!

Raccoon · 12th December 2008, 16:01

Hehe... ya, and whats more, since the air-fuel mixture will be far off the stoichiometric optimal, it will create more deposits in the engine.

toiingg · 12th December 2008, 16:49

Apache Indian will become very happy with you. "Chok De"

anupmathur · 12th December 2008, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raccoon

, it will create more deposits in the engine.

Come on now! He said 1.5 kms! Surely that will not adversely affect the engine in any way!

Quote:

Originally Posted by toiingg

Apache Indian will become very happy with you. "Chok De"

Raccoon · 13th December 2008, 00:08

Quote:

Come on now! He said 1.5 kms! Surely that will not adversely affect the engine in any way!

Well, he did mention "on a few ocasions", so deposits will build up. Also, even a small bit may foul your spark plug... maybe a small chance, but still a possibility! Bottomline is a vehicle should no way be driven that way.

kuttapan · 13th December 2008, 00:43

Plug will become a bit sootier than usual, but if your engine is otherwise good condition, and you drive long stints, the soot should be burnt away.

Other than your pocket getting lighter a bit, not much harm done. Emissions are another matter, though.

Tejas@perioimpl · 13th December 2008, 01:40

I've done that a few times ages ago and all i got was decreased FE....

I think the last time i drove a car with a choke was 1999! Damn, it's been a while!!!

sudev · 13th December 2008, 05:36

Damage to your wallet will occur.
IAC if it is for a km or two after starting - this is almost the recommended procedure as you are to use the choke till engine temperature comes in to normal operating band. That said why would you need a choke start in Kolkata? Is your engine running weak compression?

archat68 · 13th December 2008, 09:48

O.K point taken.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudev

That said why would you need a choke start in Kolkata? Is your engine running weak compression?

Its a 2000 carb Zen - so I need to use a bit of choke to warm her up. Otherwise too much vibration and knocking in the morning.

12th December 2008, 09:07	#1
archat68 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 905 Thanked: 642 Times	Driving with choke on - what damage can occur? Hi, I have a carb Zen. In the morning I often has to use choke to start the car and warm it up. What the problem is - on a few occation I forgot to push the choke to its normal position and drove the car with it - though not graet distances - mostly 1 - 1.5 Km. After which I realized the mistake and corrected it. My question is what damage can occur to the car if driven with choke on apart from fuel wastage?
	() Thanks

12th December 2008, 09:20	#2
anupmathur Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 3,095 Thanked: 311 Times	No damage. Just that your car is running 'richer' and making you poorer!
	() Thanks

12th December 2008, 16:01	#3
Raccoon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Poona Posts: 1,851 Thanked: 116 Times	Hehe... ya, and whats more, since the air-fuel mixture will be far off the stoichiometric optimal, it will create more deposits in the engine.
	() Thanks

12th December 2008, 16:49	#4
toiingg BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 643 Thanked: 308 Times	Apache Indian will become very happy with you. "Chok De"
	() Thanks

13th December 2008, 00:43	#7
kuttapan Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,155 Thanked: 27 Times View My Garage	Plug will become a bit sootier than usual, but if your engine is otherwise good condition, and you drive long stints, the soot should be burnt away. Other than your pocket getting lighter a bit, not much harm done. Emissions are another matter, though.
	() Thanks

13th December 2008, 01:40	#8
Tejas@perioimpl Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 4,430 Thanked: 9,764 Times View My Garage	I've done that a few times ages ago and all i got was decreased FE.... I think the last time i drove a car with a choke was 1999! Damn, it's been a while!!!
	() Thanks

13th December 2008, 05:36	#9
sudev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,863 Thanked: 3,250 Times	Damage to your wallet will occur. IAC if it is for a km or two after starting - this is almost the recommended procedure as you are to use the choke till engine temperature comes in to normal operating band. That said why would you need a choke start in Kolkata? Is your engine running weak compression?
	() Thanks