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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.
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