Long Term Engine Storage Query

[Diamond Hell]

Now, I'm aware of a couple of people who have engines 'on the shelf' which they've stored for some time.

I've also seen a VW 20VT engine that had been in storage for some time that had sustained serious damage to the main bearing journals. How?

Well now here's the nub of my question - the damage to the 20VT had been caused by the guy who was storing it regularly turning it over by hand. The problem with this was that this hadn't built up enough oil pressure, so the hand turning had eventually stripped out the white metal from the bearings.

If people who are storing their engines are turning them over by hand regularly, what are the chances of them trashing the shells?

I've got a Subaru lump that I'm storing and it's still got the oil in it that was there when I took it out of the car. I'm leaving it well alone, on the basis that it's best to let sleeping dogs lie.

Discuss.....

[kevtherev]

old oil is acidic and over some time will cause some damage..... pitted bores etc..I would drain it and replace with fresh or a lighter engine oil and store it in a dry place,

some do say drain it...but dried out oil is a bugger in narrow oilways

I've had old motorbikes in the past laid up for the winter filled with parrafin

[matt]

I read some"wear" that you should fill them to the brim with fresh oil ?

[futbus]

I tend to agree fill them to the brim with fresh oil and then leave, just check for leaks now and then. Old oil will cause problems not just the acidic content but the moisture as well. I have had an engine store for many years before refitting and was stripped to check proir to fitting and all was found to ok. although it is a messy process getting all the oil out especially out of the bores through the plug holes.

Only other option is strip the motor and protect as normal, but run the risk of losing bits and/or forgetting where they go.