2 year old, do I need an oil change after storage?

[90503]

Changing the oil is one of the few things we can do ourselves to protect our cars...

All the high miles, long intervals, etc. that are advertised for oil life and changes, IMO is just a gimmick to make you think they have a better product...

I hear what you're saying, but man, don't try and pinch a few pennies with the oil...

Change it!! the more often, the better...

[jeffny09]

Yes change it

[Rock-It Man]

The time to change your oil is right before storage. If you do that, there's no need to change it after storage.

[jeffny09]

Originally Posted by Rock-It Man

The time to change your oil is right before storage. If you do that, there's no need to change it after storage.

This is not true..oil collexts dust..no matter if its running thru the engine or not..so now after a couple months storage witg all that dirt your going to recirxulate that back into your engine? I think not!!

[mulletman]

Oil does not collect dust sitting in the oil pan. Changing new oil makes no sense.

[Parag]

Originally Posted by mulletman

Oil does not collect dust sitting in the oil pan. Changing new oil makes no sense.

no but it does chemically change. I do not drain the oil and let it sit, that is just waiting for an accidental startup to ruin the engine

[Avenging Orange]

I change it every 3-4k. I have never changed oil after storage. I'm wondering, for those who say change it before storage? So, what.......you are putting fresh oil in a car that will not run all winter? So you drain new never used oil and repace it with new never used oil in the spring? Kind of a waste of money and precious crude, dont you think?

[cajun1le]

Originally Posted by dmwhiteman

I can understand before and after for the first LONG sit, but every year? Why not just drain the oil and let it sit? For this year I am just going to go as is, if down the road I feel it needs changed Ill do it, then again before storage as the "once a year" manual suggests. It sounds like there are a lot of old habits here, not that that is a bad thing, but with the new synthetic stuff, its supposed to last up near 10,000 miles. Definatly not going to change it every 3000. Id still be 70% since I only put on about 2500 and am at 78%. But once a year before storage no matter the miles sounds like the best way to go.

Well, your problem begins as the engine sits for extended periods of time. The primary reason why you have to change the oil is due to the accumulation of water in the crankcase (this applies to fuel tanks as well). As the engine sits the constantly varying atmospheric pressure and temperatures causes air to move back and forth from within the crankcase and condense as water. As the water condenses it bonds with the oil and if there is enough accumulation of water within the crankcase, then there is a possibility that you can etch or scar a journal bearing. One way to resolve the water accumulation issue is to periodically let the engine reach full operating temperature and allow the PCV system to slowly vent the steamed accumulated water from within the crankcase. This also helps re-lubricate all the internal components of the engine. Even with the latest synthetics, gravity will cause oil to seek it own level.

Being that you’re passionate about your car and rightfully so. If this was my car, I would do the following prior to starting the car:
-change the oil and filter
-determine how much fuel is in the tank and add the correct amount of fuel stabilizer to it.
-pull the ignition fuse and turn the engine over with the starter until the engine registers oil pressure.
-re-install the fuse and make sure to burn through a good bit of that stale fuel before filling the tank up.
-finally, go and enjoy your maro!


FYI,

Water will also accumulate in the fuel tank the same way as it does in the crankcase, especially if the fuel tank is not full when you stored the car (more air that is present in the tank equals to more water accumulation that will form).

[joe h]

Changing it after storage guarantees fresh oil for the year.
Changing it before storage there is little chance of coolant, water, and the acids from unburned fuel sitting in your oil pan during the off season.

[mth35115]

I use Mobile1 in my 78 malibu drag car, after first winter of storage I started it up and let it warm up. After that I checked the oil again, it looked like mud. When I checked the oil before start up it looked clean, no water or anything on the dip stick. Change the oil after warming up the engine under no load, water will condense in places that it won't be removedwith a cold oil change.

[techinny]

mth35115, it is possible some of that moisture was in the bottom of the oil pan and got stirred up when you ran it.

My opinion, it depends on the condition of the oil before storage, the storage conditions, ie: steady temps or fluctuating temps, dry, damp, etc, and how often you change it regularly.