"I had hand-turned the prop for 30 revolutions once a month to keep the parts lubricated."
I used to think this was a good idea and I'm not going to say it's a _bad_ idea, however someone (perhaps Jeff) on the list pointed out many years ago that unless the engine is turning at an RPM sufficient to get the oil pump pumping, periodically turning the prop by hand doesn't bring any oil up and onto the cam lobes and cylinder walls. I've let my engine sit during this winter without engine movement for reasons of laziness and some other distractions I've allowed. During earlier non-flying periods I would periodically go over to the hangar and run the engine until reaching operating temperature. This winter I haven't been doing that. I'm on the verge of re-engaging with aviation (biennial, medical renewal, aircraft annual) however so my plan before turning the prop is to take my top plugs out and squirt some Marvel into each cylinder and letting things soak for a day. I'll then slowly bring the two pistons that were at top of cycle, down . . . and do some more Marvel squirting and soaking. Also squirting some Marvel down the guides each day. Following all that I'll run the engine to operating temperature then drain the oil overnight - which I do anyway. Next day a valve adjustment and some fresh oil. I'm not thinking I'd do a lot of damage just by starting up the engine without any of this rigamarole . . . however my thought is if there is a "better" way to do something, especially with the engine, why not take the time to do it? Also, it's a form of penance for being so lazy as to not get over to the hangar every month and run the engine as I've always done during non-flying stretches . . . until this recent period of inactivity. All that aside, I just wanted to respond to Sid's post about turning the engine over by hand once a month, thinking it was lubricating the engine. It's probably good to turn the engine over by hand every month just to keep everything from sitting in one position for months at a time, but I don't think it's lubricating anything. In fact, it possibly could just be scraping whatever oil is on the walls, off . . . thus perhaps doing more harm than good. What do others think about this? Mike KSEE ____________________________________________________________ We Say Goodbye To Lara Spencer risingstarnewspaper.com http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/5b09aa9eca1b92a9e5812st01vuc _______________________________________________ Search the KRnet Archives at https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/. Please see LIST RULES and KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html. see http://list.krnet.org/mailman/listinfo/krnet_list.krnet.org to change options. To UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to [email protected]
