Storing small internal combustion engines for years of time
#1
09-30-23, 10:43 PM
Storing small internal combustion engines for years of time
Any good thoughts regarding storing small internal combustion engines for years of time? I'm having a difficult time finding any definitive info. Remove oil and gas? Fog the carburetor? Squirt a shot of oil into spark plug hole and manually turn engine to distribute then replace plug? Other info? What are some best practices?
#2
09-30-23, 11:54 PM
if its stored inside and in a non humid area you really can't do much more than change the oil, drain the gas and pull the plug and apply oil to the cylinder and spin it over ultimately though oil will not remain on metal parts so you might want to pull the plugs and re oil the cylinders and spin it over every year or other interval depending on the storage conditions like humidity and temperatures.
#3
10-01-23, 06:04 AM
Group Moderator
If it's a small engine I'd remove all the fluids including removing the carburetor's bowl to make sure. Fog the interior via the spark plug and dipstick holes. You can also remove the valve cover and fog the valves. Then place it in a large plastic bag with some desiccant packs and seal the bag. Notice I did not say turn the engine over. You don't want to wipe the oil off the surfaces you just coated by fogging.
#4
10-02-23, 12:31 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
How many years? If 5, then drain the tank and carb bowl and store it somewhere reasonable. If you want to keep it 20 or more, then do the above plus the fogging and all.
#5
10-02-23, 07:02 AM
Thanks guys - just what I was looking for. I'm thinking in the range of 5 years or so, stored in a heated garage. But as we all know, times & plans can change and it could be longer...
