Winter Engine Storage.

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cap41
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Winter Engine Storage.

Post by cap41 »

I might look at not flying my AC during the winter months. Dec.-Mar. Is there anything I should do to the engine if its going to sit for 3.5 months? Is there any difference between Cont, Lycoming, Rotax? Airplane will be tie downed outside.
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robertw
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Re: Winter Engine Storage.

Post by robertw »

Each engine OEM will have recommended preservation procedures in their maintenance manuals or other service publication. You should look there first.
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culver10
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Re: Winter Engine Storage.

Post by culver10 »

Check out Aeroshell Fluid 2F http://www.shell.com/global/products-se ... es/2f.html It is meant for what you are asking and is AWESOME stuff!
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Colonel Sanders
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Re: Winter Engine Storage.

Post by Colonel Sanders »

2F is better than nothing, but there is
better stuff out there.

My experience is that Continentals do
not suffer from internal corrosion, anywhere
near as badly as Lycomings.

Lycomings suffer from terrible problems
with corrosion on the cam lobes, lifters,
and to a lesser extent, cylinder walls.

This is in fact the most serious problem
that privately-owned aircraft face. They
don't wear out. They internally rust out.

Frankly, W100 oil with 8% Camguard is
better than 2F, but don't take my word
for it. Do your own research.

PS Don't forget to mist the cylinders,
dessicant spark plugs, and silica gel in
the intake and exhaust.

PPS What you need will of course vary
with the conditions. A warm, humid, salty
environment is simply death for engines,
as compared to cold, dry, and salt-free.

Let's hope this post doesn't offend the
four-bars that think they fly better than
Bob Hoover, or the Miley Cyrus and Justin
Beiber fans that are outraged if you don't
like their music.

Weird fact for you: the less you fly, the
more often you need to change your engine
oil. You want less internal engine corrosion?
Fly more often, and change your oil more
often. I know many private aircraft owners
that change their oil once a year, at annual.
Not good.
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tazin river
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Re: Winter Engine Storage.

Post by tazin river »

"Frankly, W100 oil with 8% Camguard is
better than 2F, but don't take my word
for it"

Do you pour this Camguard stuff straight into the oil tank mixed with a fresh regular oil change for the winter? We usually park our fCessna 180 float plane for the winter...

Cheers

BC
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Colonel Sanders
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Re: Winter Engine Storage.

Post by Colonel Sanders »

Drain oil
Add W100 + camguard
Run engine to splash about

I personally like to do some negative G to
make sure that the new stuff is thoroughly
soaked onto the cam and lifters.
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Chris M
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Re: Winter Engine Storage.

Post by Chris M »

Any thoughts on the usefulness of one of those engine dehydrator/preserver units?

Eg: http://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog/ep ... AA1000.php

Obviously doesn't do much for the combustion chambers/intake/exhaust but should be helpful for the crankcase.
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azimuthaviation
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Re: Winter Engine Storage.

Post by azimuthaviation »

Colonel Sanders wrote:Let's hope this post doesn't offend the
four-bars that think they fly better than
Bob Hoover
Do a lot of four bars still concern themselves with what goes in with piston engines?
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Colonel Sanders
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Re: Winter Engine Storage.

Post by Colonel Sanders »

From what I've seen: No.
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sportingrifle
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Re: Winter Engine Storage.

Post by sportingrifle »

Run Shell 2F (if you can get it) or straight mineral oil with Camguard. The ashless dispersant additives in the W series oil become acidic when they meet water molecules. Camguard is amazing stuff for preventing corrosion but the AD oils partially negate this benefit. FYI Shell 2F is straight mineral oil with corrosion inhibiting additives. The reason you can only fly the engine 50 ours per overhaul period is not sub-standard lubrication but carbon buildup due to the straight mineral oil base. Hope this helps, don't forget to pre-oil the engine prior to startup.

sportingrifle
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howard40
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Re: Winter Engine Storage.

Post by howard40 »

One wonders why AD oil would not remove the carbon? From using the storage oil.
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Colonel Sanders
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Re: Winter Engine Storage.

Post by Colonel Sanders »

AD oil doesn't soften and remove hardened
carbon deposits, the way you might think it
would.

Avblend will help soften the carbon, a little
bit. At a very high price.

I have had better results with just taking
the damned thing apart, and scrubbing it
with MEK.
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