Do I need to change the engine oil after a long period of inactivity with the car?
- May 30, 2022
- 0
Some car dealers will point out as a plus that the car has recently been in a garage or dry parking lot and not driven anywhere. However, this
Some car dealers will point out as a plus that the car has recently been in a garage or dry parking lot and not driven anywhere. However, this is exactly what a potential buyer should warn. After all, a long standstill does not bode well – pipes, seals, gaskets dry out. What happens to oil?
It happens that the car is not working for a long time. The owner grew old, got sick, flew away for a long business trip, or got another, more interesting car. As a result, the former favorite stands in the garage or parking lot, is sad and goes “gray” unnoticed by everyone. Without the operation of systems and the circulation of fluids, various pipes, seals, gaskets and seals tend to dry out, crack or even fall apart completely. And this is the first thing to check if you are offered a similar car. But is it worth changing the oil in it?
The answer will be unequivocal. If the car has been standing still for a long time, the oil poured into the engine also deteriorates, as a result of which all useful properties are lost. And the once-usable lube fluid turns into a dangerous slurry that threatens engine problems.
For example, oil is negatively affected by the difference and temperature differences between the metal and the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of condensate on the crankcase walls. Further, the appearing water droplets mix with the lubricant and significantly deteriorate its useful properties.
Low-boiling esters evaporate from the oil due to a long standing time. The absence of light fractions in the lubricant changes the structure and this also promises the loss of some of the properties necessary for the oil to work effectively.
If the engine has not been started for a long time, it means that the oil poured into it has not been mixed. And this, in turn, threatens delamination of the lubricant. Heavier fractions sink to the bottom, lighter fractions float. And as a result, the car owner gets a bituminous coating that adheres to the metal. Viscous, viscous and absolutely not useful for the engine. And to get rid of it, you need to disassemble the engine and wash it manually. Additives are unfortunately useless.
The oil can also oxidize. The engine is unfortunately not sealed and the air entering the crankcase activates oxidative processes. This results in corrosive acids that can damage the metal.
The conclusion is quite simple. If you have been told that your grandmother has driven a car and it has stood still for the last year, the first thing to do is to drive such a car to the service for a thorough inspection, diagnosis, repair and of course, maintenance with the replacement of all working fluids, and especially engine oil. If the car is yours and for some reason you don’t use it, the oil should still be changed according to the maintenance schedule – once a year. At the same time, at least sometimes the car engine needs to be started, let it work and breathe. Even better – “walk” the car.
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Photo: Drive2
It happens that the car is not working for a long time. The owner grew old, got sick, flew away for a long business trip, or got another, more interesting car. As a result, the former favorite stands in the garage or parking lot, is sad and goes “gray” unnoticed by everyone. Without the operation of systems and the circulation of fluids, various pipes, seals, gaskets and seals tend to dry out, crack or even fall apart completely. And this is the first thing to check if you are offered a similar car. But is it worth changing the oil in it?
The answer will be unequivocal. If the car has been standing still for a long time, the oil poured into the engine also deteriorates, as a result of which all useful properties are lost. And the once-usable lube fluid turns into a dangerous slurry that threatens engine problems.
For example, oil is negatively affected by the difference and temperature differences between the metal and the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of condensate on the crankcase walls. Further, the appearing water droplets mix with the lubricant and significantly deteriorate its useful properties.
Low-boiling esters evaporate from the oil due to a long standing time. The absence of light fractions in the lubricant changes the structure and this also promises the loss of some of the properties necessary for the oil to work effectively.
If the engine has not been started for a long time, it means that the oil poured into it has not been mixed. And this, in turn, threatens delamination of the lubricant. Heavier fractions sink to the bottom, lighter fractions float. And as a result, the car owner gets a bituminous coating that adheres to the metal. Viscous, viscous and absolutely not useful for the engine. And to get rid of it, you need to disassemble the engine and wash it manually. Additives are unfortunately useless.
The oil can also oxidize. The engine is unfortunately not sealed and the air entering the crankcase activates oxidative processes. This results in corrosive acids that can damage the metal.
The conclusion is quite simple. If you have been told that your grandmother has driven a car and it has stood still for the last year, the first thing to do is to drive such a car to the service for a thorough inspection, diagnosis, repair and of course, maintenance with the replacement of all working fluids, and especially engine oil. If the car is yours and for some reason you don’t use it, the oil should still be changed according to the maintenance schedule – once a year. At the same time, at least sometimes the car engine needs to be started, let it work and breathe. Even better – “walk” the car.
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PORTAL “AVTOVGLYAD” IN TELEGRAM
Source: Avto Vzglyad
I’m Sandra Torres, a passionate journalist and content creator. My specialty lies in covering the latest gadgets, trends and tech news for Div Bracket. With over 5 years of experience as a professional writer, I have built up an impressive portfolio of published works that showcase my expertise in this field.
