Community Forums

alank · 01-01-2017, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHRA225

OP has a Gas Engine- That's what I responded to.
Now My Cummins 8.3 I do things a little differently. Before storage I do a complete Engine Service- Fill the Tank- Use Howels additive, plug it in and night night. When I go get it in Feb- I plug in the Engine heater for 3 hours --Disconnect the Fuel stop Solenoid and Crank the Engine over for 3 -15sec intervals to bring Oil pressue up- Plug in the Stop Solenoid and it fires right off--- Just Me ! The worst thing for any Engine that's been sitting is a cold Start .

I'm not saying the above procedure is wrong, or even will do any significant damage to the engine, I just want to present a different view of what is happening. All the above procedures sound very good with the exception of dry cranking the engine for 45 seconds. I know what the thinking is on bringing the oil pressure up for the bearings, but that applies no oil to the cylinder walls, pistons, rings etc. while you are dry cranking. Having your crankshaft rotating at least at idle speed is what slings oil off it to lubricate these parts, but rotating at starter speed won't provide any oil to these parts. I know and agree that diesel oil provides lubrication for the cylinder walls as well as crankcase oil does, but after setting for an extended period, I would want crankcase oil on those parts ASAP after cranking the engine. A little different opinion is that the worst thing for any engine that's been sitting is to dry crank it for 45 seconds before you start it.

Will it ruin any part of the engine? NO, probably not.

Is it better for the engine to dry crank it before you start it? Not in my opinion.

Like I said, it's not going to kill the engine, I just don't think it's the best care you can give it.

twinboat · 01-01-2017, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alank

I'm not saying the above procedure is wrong, or even will do any significant damage to the engine, I just want to present a different view of what is happening. All the above procedures sound very good with the exception of dry cranking the engine for 45 seconds. I know what the thinking is on bringing the oil pressure up for the bearings, but that applies no oil to the cylinder walls, pistons, rings etc. while you are dry cranking. Having your crankshaft rotating at least at idle speed is what slings oil off it to lubricate these parts, but rotating at starter speed won't provide any oil to these parts. I know and agree that diesel oil provides lubrication for the cylinder walls as well as crankcase oil does, but after setting for an extended period, I would want crankcase oil on those parts ASAP after cranking the engine. A little different opinion is that the worst thing for any engine that's been sitting is to dry crank it for 45 seconds before you start it.

Will it ruin apistons of the engine? NO, probably not.

Is it better for the engine to dry crank it before you start it? Not in my opinion.

Like I said, it's not going to kill the engine, I just don't think it's the best care you can give it.

Actually the 8.3 has piston coolers. They are nozzles that spray oil up under the pistons. So no dry cylinders.

If I were to do any cranking, it would be 1, 15 second session, before starting it.

In my 40 years of fixing diesels, I never did anything but start them up.

I remember, back in the early 70s, standing on the fender, spraying a full can of starter fluid into Cummins 855s to get them in the shop. What did we know ?