Engine Protection

[Mark Dickens]

When I received my engine in late June from Titan, it had/has no oil in it and I am concerned about corrosion. I expect that first engine start (aside from the dyno run at Titan) will be next Spring.

I have inserted desiccant plugs in each cylinder and stuffed small bags (old gym socks) full of desiccant in the exhaust pipes, and sealed all openings to the crankcase. My question to the engine gurus here is whether I need to 1) put oil in the engine (not sure what that would accomplish) or 2) try to preserve the engine somehow despite not being able to start the engine. Would there be any benefit to squirting a small amount of mineral oil (or preservative oil mix) into the top spark plug holes to allow it to drain into the crankcase?

[Mel]

Unless you are right on the coast or have VERY high humidity, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Mark Dickens]

Originally Posted by Mel

Unless you are right on the coast or have VERY high humidity, I wouldn't worry about it.

Well, it is the Memphis area and one thing we don't have a problem with in the summer is moisture...lots of it here. When I microwaved one of the desiccant plugs the other day, it was interesting to see all the steam coming out.

Right now, it's 77% humidity and 93% forecast for tonight...yep, it's muggy here.

[Neal@F14]

If the engine is not yet mounted, you could always pour a couple quarts of oil in it, then store it upside down so the cam and lifters would be soaking in oil.

[Mark Dickens]

Originally Posted by Neal@F14

If the engine is not yet mounted, you could always pour a couple quarts of oil in it, then store it upside down so the cam and lifters would be soaking in oil.

It's mounted already

[Mike H]

Mark, sounds to me like you are doing a good job of keeping most of the moisture out. That engine will be just fine until you finally get it running.

[flyingriki]

Maybe make the economical engine dehydrator? Seems the plans floating around say its buildable for $30-40 bucks?

[terrykohler]

Mark:
One of the builders here at Pontiac took delivery of a new engine that had been drained prior to shipment. His intention was to have the airplane running "within a couple of months". About a year and a half later, he scoped the engine and found a good deal of corrosion. Ended up having the engine torn down and the cam and some other elements replaced.

These build projects always seem to take longer than we hope. My suggestion would be to call Titan, ask for long term storage instructions, and follow them. It's not going to cost much, and you'll probably sleep better knowing everything is safe. It'd be a shame to get to the finish line and find out the most expensive/important part of your plane has suffered unnecessary damage.
Good luck.
Terry, CFI
RV9A N323TP

[Mark Dickens]

Originally Posted by flyingriki

Maybe make the economical engine dehydrator? Seems the plans floating around say its buildable for $30-40 bucks?

I'll look into that.

[Mark Dickens]

Originally Posted by terrykohler

Mark:
One of the builders here at Pontiac took delivery of a new engine that had been drained prior to shipment. His intention was to have the airplane running "within a couple of months". About a year and a half later, he scoped the engine and found a good deal of corrosion. Ended up having the engine torn down and the cam and some other elements replaced.

Yep, this is what worries me. Unfortunately, since Titan sold me the engine, their response on other issues has been, shall we say, less than adequate. I still don't have a list of serialized components on the engine. So, my confidence in getting reliable feedback from Titan is very low.