Storing my G40 .... Stopping engine from seizing

quiksilver_jake · June 04, 2010, 01:21:59 PM

I was thinking the other day as i wont be using my g40 this year and i cant really start it up every so often and to be honest i would forget, could i fill it up with oil?
I use the genuine vw oil but if i filled it right up to the filler cap would that help ? or cause problems?
Does anyone have any ideas or views on this?

Thanks

Jake

PeteG40 · June 04, 2010, 01:40:21 PM

i've had engines stored under tarps, in sheds etc with/without oil for 6 months/year and never done anything with them, they been fine.

PeteG40 · June 04, 2010, 01:41:10 PM

i'd be more concerned about tyres egging, mould inside etc.

karmann · June 04, 2010, 01:52:54 PM

and the brakes seizing up, stored mine for 3 years and it knackered the brakes.
Buy a Carcoon!!!

Puncharado · June 04, 2010, 04:08:38 PM

My car was sat on the drive in all weathers for for years with no oil in the engine and no intake pipework, it was fine. There's always going to be a film of oil on everything.
For long term storage, have it up on blocks with the wheels off, tape plastic bags over the brakes/hubs, and put some dessicant bags or a dish of salt inside to absorb moisture and stop mould. If it's outside, cover it with a sheet and then a tarp or car cover, but take it all off for a few hours now and again. If it's in a garage then just a dust sheet is fine.

I did none of these things, and the car certainly suffered for it!

Nick_S · June 04, 2010, 08:11:15 PM

Squirt a bit of WD40 down the plug holes if really concerned, but as long as all entry ways are still sealed/connected, it should be fine for a year.

Robin · June 04, 2010, 09:10:13 PM

Engine's won't seize unless they are exposed to water or something. We have engines stored at work for many years and still come alive when required.

My G has been dry stored since Jan this year, when i manage to find some time to get it up and running (hopefully in a couple of weeks time) i will be dropping the oil and the filling it up by removing the rocker cover so that i can pour the oil over all the lobes and tappets. Also will be taking off the king lead so that i can crank the engine over for a few cycles to build up some oil pressure before actually starting the engine.

Yoof · June 05, 2010, 07:11:17 AM

Quote from: Nick_S on June 04, 2010, 08:11:15 PM
Squirt a bit of WD40 down the plug holes if really concerned, but as long as all entry ways are still sealed/connected, it should be fine for a year.

Don't do this- WD40 is only 'water displacement' it's too thin and will drain past the rings and into the oil.

Jake- I'd block the inlet to the charger, and block the exhaust, that way no damp air can get in, if you're concerned then squirt a drop of normal engine oil into the cylinders.

Nick_S · June 05, 2010, 12:59:24 PM

Thats why I use WD, to coat the cylinder bores to stave off water vapour. Not bothered about it dropping past the rings as it would be getting an oil change anyway after cranking over by hand.

supercharged spaniel · June 05, 2010, 05:04:20 PM

mines in storage at the minute. I just get it out every 3-4 weeks, check tyre pressures. Take it for a good run, burn a fivers worth of fuel and pop some more in so the fuel doesnt go horrible. Leave it out for the day to air and so far seems fine. Starts first time everytime and sounds fine.

hayesey · June 06, 2010, 02:33:08 PM

but wd40 wont protect the bores though, it'll just run off and also clean off the engine oil coating with it. Just put a bit of engine oil down the bores if you are worried but I don't think it's really a concern. Tyres would be more likely to get damaged, ideally get the car up on axle stands.

Yoof · June 06, 2010, 06:48:23 PM

Quote from: Nick_S on June 05, 2010, 12:59:24 PM
Thats why I use WD, to coat the cylinder bores to stave off water vapour. Not bothered about it dropping past the rings as it would be getting an oil change anyway after cranking over by hand.

Once it's dropped past the rings and taken the residual oil with it, it leaves a nice clean bare metal surface- ideal for rust.

The coating WD40 leaves once dried is hydroscopic I believe, and actually attracts water- good in the short term for displacing it, very bad in the long term, this is why no one uses it when storing an engine.

NeilG40 · June 06, 2010, 09:00:17 PM

After seeing this thread I had a look at mine this weekend (it's been sat in the garage for the last six years), the engine turned over easily by hand, then I pushed the car backwards and forwards to see that the brakes weren't seized on and what I had thought to be mold on the steering wheel just turned out to be dust.