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Two- and four-stroke
recreational vehicles, hand held power
equipment, small engines, construction and farm
equipment are commonly operated seasonally or
infrequently, then stored for long periods of
time. During these periods of inactivity, and as
a result of fluctuations in ambient
temperatures, water vapor can form condensate
within the engine. When this condensate comes
into direct contact with steel and iron
components, it forms surface corrosion on
cylinder liners, piston rings, anti-friction
bearings and steel/iron contact surfaces on
rotational seals. Long periods of storage can
also dry out cylinders, often resulting in
permanent damage when the equipment is taken out
of storage and dry started.
The severity of component
distress resulting from extended storage varies,
but it is usually not enough to result in
immediate component failure. Often, equipment
appears to function properly when put back into
service, failing shortly thereafter as component
distress increases with use. Because the failure
doesn’t happen immediately, the equipment owner
often does not suspect storage-related problems.
The industry is beginning to
recognize the relationship between
storage-related corrosion and premature engine
failures and performance problems. Most two- and
four-stroke motor oils are formulated to have an
affinity to engine component surfaces, acting as
a barrier that keeps condensate from contacting
engine components and forming corrosion.
However, the effectiveness of motor oil in this
area diminishes with time.
Two common methods are used to
extend protection of stored components. One
method involves placing motor oil directly on
internal engine components, usually by pouring
one or two ounces of oil into the engine
cylinders through the spark plug holes and
manually rotating the engine to distribute the
oil. The more effective, easier and cleaner
method involves use of an aerosol fogging oil.
Because it can be applied through the engine
intake or carburetor as it is running, a fogging
oil reaches and protects more components than a
straight motor oil. In addition, the aerosol
nature of fogging oil offers a more complete
distribution of the oil than the straight motor
oil method, something especially beneficial in
applications with horizontal cylinder
orientation, such as outboard motors.
A survey of manufacturers in
the affected market reveals all have maintenance
guidelines for long-term storage of equipment.
Forty-three percent indicated special
maintenance is required if length of anticipated
equipment inactivity exceeds 30 days, while 43
percent indicated a time period of 60 days and
14 percent indicated a time period of 90 days.
All recommended the application of additional
oil to the engine for long-term storage, and
more than half suggested the use of a special
fogging oil.
New AMSOIL Engine Fogging Oil
offers superior film retention, providing
long-term protection against corrosion and dry
starts, extending engine life and reducing
operating expenses. Its aerosol spray
formulation offers easy and clean applications,
while reaching more components and offering
better distribution than straight motor oil.
AMSOIL Engine Fogging Oil
applications include, but are not limited to,
motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATV’s, outboard
motors, stern drive and inboard marine engines,
personal watercraft, lawn equipment, chainsaws,
snowblowers, portable generators, hand held
power equipment, motor scooters, powered farm
equipment, powered construction equipment, cars
and trucks. |
