Winter storage - engine inhibit?
 

Would anyone have a procedure for winter storage. I'm thinking of five months and specifically looking at engine inhibition (avgas engine). I believe there's a product called VapourOil to spray into the cylinders to clear out the condensation.

Alternative opinion is do nothing as not necessary.

Another opinion (from an aircraft mechanic) was to turn the prop every now and then. However I don't see what good this is - the oil won't be circulated - seems to me more potential for harm than good.

Recommendations would be appreciated.

flyme.

Your maintenance manual will contain specific long term storage instructions.

As stated above the maintenance manual will give the exact instructions but that having been said once the engine is inhibited you must not turn it. turning the engine will remove the inhibiting oil from the moving parts exposing them to corrosion.

We had a Gyipsy engine in storage for about 25 years, the chief engineer at the time of storage (ex imperial airways!) I am told filled the engine with hot inhbiting oil and rotated it in an engine servicing cradle eventualy draining the excess oil.

When the engine was required for service I removed a cylinder to inspect the internals for corrosion, none was found.

Thanks for advice.

found it

"to maintain the natural preservation, the engine . . .is to be operated each 5 days.. . in case of longer than 15 days should be preserved . . . inject 40 grams of oil warmed to 50 degrees C into each cylinder and turn crankshaft . . return plugs."

mmm . . . I wonder what type of oil, normal engine oil I assume, then how does one get it out before start? Or doesn't it matter? Wont it just flow down to the bottom of the cylinder leaving the top exposed?

And the valves, I don't want engine oil to burn on the seats.

I'm thinking to search for a specialist vapour oil product - the manual was written before these products were available.

Aeroshell Fluid 2F
 

Aeroshel Fluid 2F is what you require, the data sheet on the Shell aviation website will tell you how to use it.