Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 11:08:15 +1000
Reply-To: Andrew Jack <andrewxp@AJ.DNSALIAS.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Andrew Jack <andrewxp@AJ.DNSALIAS.NET>
Subject: Periodic running vs Inhibiting (WAS: Re: Vanagon Storage in Bay
Area???) [Long]
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Tyler,
I am ambivalent as to the merits of a periodic start up and run (I
suppose 15 minutes or so) once a month versus "pickling" (sp?) the
engine. I am sure there are a few list members that can weigh in on this.
Running the engine, but not under load, can result in combustion
byproducts entering and remaining in the oil (corrosive) and may do
little to reduce corrosion in the cylinders. In aircraft circles it is
generally regarded as a bad thing. (recommended procedure is to go and
fly it for an hour at least once a month).
Another train of thought has the in cylinder corrosion actually being a
good thing, giving you a poor man's hone and polish on start up after
extended storage... I think the jury may be still out on this one.
My Van ('92 Syncro) was sitting for six months before going to the
mechanic (he was doing an engine swap in my partner's Subaru and didn't
want two of my vehicles filling up his workshop). When the time came, a
quick check of fluids, etc and a fresh battery - fired up first time,
bit of noise from a collapsed lifter until it pumped up, then all was
fine. Of course I am not too worried about this engine, as it has the
dreaded Vanagon leaking head syndrome (at 70,000 miles) but more
worrying (and the decider for an engine swap) it has a bad oil leak on
the crankcase seam. All went well for the 70 mile drive to the
mechanic, with the exception of the temperature gauge not working -
frequent stops and a lot of sniffing and checking coolant level to make
sure all was ok on the way.
As an aside, I have (not intentionally) left my airplane sitting without
being run for over nine months at a time. Not recommended, but airplane
went though annual just fine, with good compressions. Anyway, a few
months ago an errant tiger moth collected my pride and joy (it taxiied
into my parked airplane), and as a prop strike was involved, a bulk
strip of the engine is in order. It will be interesting to see if any
effects of extensive downtime are evident. And yes, the tiger moth's
insurance is footing the bill ($5k or so for bulk strip, same again for
new prop, and a couple thousand for minor body work - prices converted
to $US at rough exchange rate AUD2=USD1).
Andrew
Tyler Trotman wrote:
> I'm flying to Panama City, Panama on July 8th to pick up my westy which has
> been living there for over a year. My trip will take me through Central
> America up to San Francisco by the beginning of August. I would like to leave
> the van there for a year and return next summer to drive up to Alaska. Anyone
> have any suggestions as to where I can store a van for a year and have it
> turned on every once in a while?
>
> Tyler
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