Killing my engine with kindness?

[MikeL]

Those who have ridden with me know that I am a fairly conservative rider. I have never red-lined my XJR, and it rarely gets more than 3/4 of the way to the limit (9.500 rpm). At 150 kph in top gear it is doing about 6,000 rpm I think, and with plenty of torque there's rarely any reason to change down below 4th.
Someone I was talking to recently said that engines which are kept well below maximum revs all the time can develop problems if they are then taken up to the limit. Something to do with piston travel and cylinder wear I think, but I can't recall the exact details. Can any technical-type person confirm this and say what sort of problems may occur and how likely this is?

[XTC]

Bullshit.... The piston travels just as far at 1/2 revs as it does at full revs... Tell your mate he's a dick.

[John]

And if it did, then thats what they call valve clap and despite the name - its not fun

edity: If your valves are seated right and adjusted properly it wont matter.

[XTC]

Valve clap??? Is that an STD?

[John]

No, its like a party game that your engine plays

[Zed]

Those who have ridden with me know that I am a fairly conservative rider.

Hmmm, I've ridden with you enough now to categorize you in the next level up from a conservative rider Mike!

Sorry I can't answer your technical question but I have heard over the years that bikes/cars run better if you give them a good old thrashing from time to time!!

[White trash]

Fucken oath Mike, you're being way too soft on it. Gimme the keys for a weekend mate, I'll sort it out.

[bugjuice]

I think the *only* 'damage' you can do with running the engine soft all the time is carbon build up around the valves and a few other spots. Over a long period (almost years and years), it'll build up, and then one day someone is going to have to crack it open and clean it out. The easy way to fix this is once a while, give it some stick.. about 2/3s from the red line in whatever gear you fancy should be fine for a minute or two.. and then ride it again how you want.. Nothing wrong with takin it easy tho. The engine pretty much works the same at any revs and any pressure, just does it faster or slower

[MSTRS:Me]

There is a lot of merit in giving an engine a thrash semi regularly. Kills the spiders, don't you know.
Would you buy a car from someone who'd never driven it over 70kph for example?

[Riff Raff]

Would you buy a car from someone who'd never driven it over 70kph for example?

would that be that one careful lady owner we keep hearing about?

[MSTRS:Me]

would that be that one careful lady owner we keep hearing about?

definitely

[avgas]

yeh i think it depends alot on how much you dont give it to a motor. I think your XJR will be fine, but i have me the occasional person that never took engines past the 1/2 way mark - and theyre motors/drivelines etc were fucked.
My neighbours holden is a classic example, cos it keeps pissing me off. Every day that bastard starts up his car at 6, leaves it to warm up in our shed.......he drives the same way he does eveything in his life - slowly and pathetically.
His holden sprays shite all over the shed and coats everything in a greasy mess.
He has had it tuned 6 times this year, and it has travelled prob less then 2000ks.

if he just gave me 30 mins with his car i could solve all his problems, one way or another

[Paul in NZ]

I don't think its as big an issue as it was in the old days with better oils and fuel etc. (carbon build up)

A good thrashing now and then is good for it though. (as well as dogs, wives and walnut trees apparently)

[Motu]

If not used your powerband will shrink with lack of use....and when you finaly use it,it will snap - you've been warned.

[Rincewind]

I don't think its as big an issue as it was in the old days with better oils and fuel etc. (carbon build up)

A good thrashing now and then is good for it though. (as well as dogs, wives and walnut trees apparently)

HEY steady on old chap Wive's and Dogs yes, be carefull with those Walnut trees though,they got long memories, youll be riding home one day from a luvvly day out and whammmm (where did that come from, F***in Wallnut tree in the middle of the road)...