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Winnie 2000 · 11-03-2010, 08:12 PM

Hello all, any opinion on changing engine oil before storing for winter. I thought I had seen a thread on this but can't find it. Oil only has 2500 miles on it, I was thinking I could wait until spring and change it then to get out any condensation that might accumulate over the winter.I'm using Mobil 1.

tmh462 · 11-04-2010, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winnie 2000

I was thinking I could wait until spring and change it then to get out any condensation that might accumulate over the winter.I'm using Mobil 1.

That's what I recommend. Otherwise, you'll have condensation forming all Winter in your brand-new oil.

George Z · 11-04-2010, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmh462

That's what I recommend. Otherwise, you'll have condensation forming all Winter in your brand-new oil.

times 2

JoeT · 11-04-2010, 08:27 AM

Engine manufacturers recommend changing oil before storage. However, with only 2500 miles I would think you would be ok, but you have to consider the time factor, too. You didn't mention how long ago it was changed.

Mike Canter · 11-04-2010, 09:33 AM

The reason they want you to change the oil before winter is because of the acidty of the oil. The acid can eat into your bearings over time. With only 2500 miles on the oil and using ULSD I would not worry about it. The condensation will boil off the oil during the first real spring warmup because with a motor at operating temps the oil will be up around 200+*.

Jim28730 · 11-05-2010, 08:56 AM

I'm in the Spring changing camp.

Sayonara · 11-05-2010, 12:31 PM

ok now im confussed. i was gearing up to buy my engine and genny oil and filters for the winterization process. i have 9000 miles on mine this year.

Do I wait till spring or do it now??

Mike Canter · 11-05-2010, 02:58 PM

Sayonara. With 9000 miles on that oil I would do exactly what they recommend and that is to change the oil so it sits with fresh oil with no acids to eat up the bearings over the winter. No confusion because the engine manufactures know a lot more than any of us do

.

Nonno · 11-05-2010, 03:10 PM

MY last change was 11/09. I've driven 8K this year. Cummins interval is 15K or 12 months, whichever is earlier. Will do oil change now as I'm hoping to leave for FL in mid January. Would probably do it now even if I didn't use it until Spring.

gpscotty · 04-30-2011, 02:54 PM

The Ford large truck service manager said it was ok to wait till spring as like you I am under 6000 miles a year and use Ford synthetic, he said that you don't have the acid build up,as with regular oil. Spring changer

njs42 · 05-01-2011, 07:47 AM

Well you could be like me last year---I changed oil before putting in storage ----then forgot I did it and changed it when it took it out----

let's see what were we talking about?

TW · 05-01-2011, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njs42

Well you could be like me last year---I changed oil before putting in storage ----then forgot I did it and changed it when it took it out----

let's see what were we talking about?

Clean Oil never hurt an engine.

I change (have it ch....) twice a year, spring and fall,
but we drive it in Winter once a month, sometimes just for fun

stearn · 05-01-2011, 09:14 AM

I guess I'm over kill ! My oil is changed every 3000 miles, the most time it sets without moving would be two months. When we store all winter all my gas engines winter with fresh oil . I have been led to believe eng oil after a period of use does become acidic.

Cat320 · 05-01-2011, 11:28 AM

I agree with the 'change in the fall crowd.' As a boat owner with a diesel engine, the oil is always changed in the fall since a boat engine works much harder than a truck engine, and the mechanics say that old oil sitting in the engine all winter is not good.