Push-start Safe?

[Elio Amazed]

After rethinking my statement in post #2 I don't think the manual transmission Elio or any other car with electronic fuel injection can be push started if the battery is completely dead. You might be able to pull it off if the battery is very weak (to weak to spin the starter) but still has enough power for the ECM, injectors, and fuel pump. If the battery is completely dead I doubt the alternator flipping over a few turns while bump starting is going to power up those systems. Back to jumper cables.

I agree. I sold a GMC Astro 6-cyl. last year that would actually crank the starter with a weak battery...
But didn't seem to have enough juice to run everything else necessary for ignition at the same time.

I believe that my V-stars' manuals state that you can't push start them.
Even though the gas feed to the carbs still works with gravity feed.
I've tried. Never so much as a sputter.

 

[wizard of ahs]

After rethinking my statement in post #2 I don't think the manual transmission Elio or any other car with electronic fuel injection can be push started if the battery is completely dead. You might be able to pull it off if the battery is very weak (to weak to spin the starter) but still has enough power for the ECM, injectors, and fuel pump. If the battery is completely dead I doubt the alternator flipping over a few turns while bump starting is going to power up those systems. Back to jumper cables.

I believe you are probably right !
I know you can do it in the smart (getrag tranny) which I'm sure is very similar. There DOES need to be some juice in the battery. Turn on ignition, press brake, shift to "manual" 2nd gear, release brake and push, at predetermined speed, clutch kicks in and PRESTO ☺

 

[Oxolotol]

Push starting can damage the catalytic converter by sending a big plug of unburned fuel into it.

Ordinary push starting a car would not sent an excessive plug of fuel thru the engine. It should be just like regular starting, except that the engine is turned by the wheels instead of the starter motor. Mechanically the engine doesn't care what starts it turning. Of course, if there is not enough battery power to power the spark plugs, all the pushing in the world won't start it and unburnt fuel will be sent thru the exhaust.

 

[pistonboy]

Ordinary push starting a car would not sent an excessive plug of fuel thru the engine. It should be just like regular starting, except that the engine is turned by the wheels instead of the starter motor. Mechanically the engine doesn't care what starts it turning. Of course, if there is not enough battery power to power the spark plugs, all the pushing in the world won't start it and unburnt fuel will be sent thru the exhaust.

If it has a CVT, can we preset the pulley ratio?

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

If it has a CVT, can we preset the pulley ratio?

Would be nice, but I've never seen that option with any CVT, from golf cart to full sized car.

Edit:
It would be mechanically impossible for certain types of CVT's
A gold fart uses a rubber belt that pulls the belt like a bicycle chain.

A Toyota CVT actually pushes a belt made up of metal plates suspended with a plastic or rubber matrix, between pulleys.

Putting a force from the wheels to the engine would likely damage/break the belt.

 

[acamara]

Would be nice, but I've never seen that option with any CVT, from golf cart to full sized car.

Edit:
It would be mechanically impossible for certain types of CVT's
A gold fart uses a rubber belt that pulls the belt like a bicycle chain.

A Toyota CVT actually pushes a belt made up of metal plates suspended with a plastic or rubber matrix, between pulleys.

Putting a force from the wheels to the engine would likely damage/break the belt.

Wonder if placing tranny in 1st gear the load on the engine would be low enough to be able start engine without stretching the belt through the lower gear ratio.

Wonder thiugh, wich would have a lower gear ration. 1st gear or with the tranny in reverse?

 

[Ty]

Push starting can damage the catalytic converter by sending a big plug of unburned fuel into it.

Luckily, the Elio AMT won't have a catalytic converter. It's basically a manual transmission with Electronics working the clutch.

EDIT: I was thinking "Torque Converter" and not catalytic converter... I'm leaving the original text above because it's about the only proof I have that I'm not perfect.

 

[Ty]

Would be nice, but I've never seen that option with any CVT, from golf cart to full sized car.

Edit:
It would be mechanically impossible for certain types of CVT's
A gold fart uses a rubber belt that pulls the belt like a bicycle chain.

A Toyota CVT actually pushes a belt made up of metal plates suspended with a plastic or rubber matrix, between pulleys.

Putting a force from the wheels to the engine would likely damage/break the belt.

Gold Farts use rubber belts? LOL

 

[Truett Collins]

Luckily, the Elio AMT won't have a catalytic converter. It's basically a manual transmission with Electronics working the clutch.

http://www.easterncatalytic.com/201...xclusive-oe-exhaust-supplier-for-elio-motors/

 

[Maurtis]

Luckily, the Elio AMT won't have a catalytic converter. It's basically a manual transmission with Electronics working the clutch.

You are thinking torque converter. The catalytic converter is the emissions reducer in the exhaust path that has a fragile platinum honeycomb in it. Since cars require them and new motorcycles are coming with them, I bet the Elio does too.