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PIP-A versus Jaguar XJ starting in blizzard

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by cheallen, Jan 11, 2014.

  1. cheallen

    cheallen Junior Member

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    I had an interesting conversation at dinner last night with the owner of a new Jaguar XJ, I drive a 2012 PIP-A. During the recent 3 day blizzard in Buffalo (morning temps below zero and single digit highs, 40 mph sustained winds, blowing and drifting snow, etc.) my PIP started perfectly and had no problems while on day 3 of the blizzard the Jaguar would not start and spent a full day at the dealer being repaired.

    The two of us (average age 83) live in the same retirement complex in similar houses and use our cars in very similar ways. Most of our trips are about 1/4 mile long - to the dining room, mailbox, meeting rooms, etc. with "long" 2 mile trips to the grocery store several times a week. Then, once a month or so we take long trips to visit grandchildren, etc., but not in the time period discussed here.

    It turns out that the problem with pussy cat (as the Jag is known) was not the battery but that the exhaust system was completely blocked with ice such that the back pressure was too high for the car to start. After the dealer removed long cylinders of solid ice from the exhaust pipes, the car started fine. So the question is what should the owner do to prevent this in the future. Moving to Florida or buying a Prius are not under consideration. His suggestion is to run the car for at least 20 minutes on every trip regardless of how long the trip is, to let it warm up. This should do wonders for his gas mileage!

    Our PIP does not have this problem because we used it in EV mode through the entire blizzard. Maybe I'll just offer him a ride when pussy cat is indisposed.
     
    #1 cheallen, Jan 11, 2014
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i wonder if she was parked with the tailpipe facing the prevailing wind?
     
    #2 bisco, Jan 11, 2014
  3. DadofHedgehog

    DadofHedgehog Active Member

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    Foam exhaust plug when parked in a blizzard.
     
    #3 DadofHedgehog, Jan 11, 2014
  4. IMkenNY

    IMkenNY Im just being nosy

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    I would think a 20 minute drive once a week would keep the ice from building up in his exhaust here in tropical WNY
     
    #4 IMkenNY, Jan 11, 2014
  5. bilbo04096

    bilbo04096 Member

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    Combustion condensation which would collect throughout the exhaust system after a number of very short drives as described, due to not completely warming the engine and drying exhaust system. EV is the way to go!
     
    #5 bilbo04096, Jan 11, 2014
  6. IanIanIanIan

    IanIanIanIan Member

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    Drill a small (<1mm) hole in the exhaust at the lowest point to let the condensed water from the combustion products drain away before they freeze.
     
    #6 IanIanIanIan, Jan 11, 2014
  7. giora

    giora Senior Member

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    Visit grandchildren more often?
     
    #7 giora, Jan 11, 2014
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  8. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Drive 20 mins before the snow storm.
     
    #8 usbseawolf2000, Jan 11, 2014
  9. SLOW_RR

    SLOW_RR Member

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    Quarter mile.... Walk over for dinner. You'll both have a better appetite....:whistle: Call a taxi? Car pool? Buy a Tesla.... At the next Inmate/Resident meeting have them get a bus that will go around and pick up/deliver residents from their houses to the dining room for meals....;) ;)
     
    #9 SLOW_RR, Jan 11, 2014
  10. Michael33

    Michael33 Member

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    Jaguars are emong the least reliable non-Italian cars - always have been - while most Japanese cars are excellent at cold weather starts. It's hard to say how much of the ice was from condensation of exhaust water vapor and how much was 'blown in' snow that melted and refroze. The first step is to protect the exhaust from snow, and then see how much improvment there is. As for your PIP, you could try a loose-fitting exhaust pipe cap, but even that could freeze in place if you forget to remove it and cause real problems, so I'd just park facing away from lake effect winds as much as possible.
     
    #10 Michael33, Jan 12, 2014
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