Engine PreLube Systems

[stopngo]

http://www.prelube.com/

Question: Why not just crank the engine once a week without ignition  and let the factory oil pump do it??

Apparently one of the theories of RV Engines relatively short lifespan is sitting idle with dry cylinder walls....... Hm?

[87Itasca]

Even with the ignition disconnected, you're still cranking the engine with no oil pressure. This product allows oil to already circulate, so the moment the cylinders move, there is oil on all the moving parts.




Personally, I've never bothered. Run a synthetic oil and a good filter, start it up, and let it run for a few minutes before you take off, and all will be well.


I usually let my cars idle for 30 seconds when it's colder outside before I take off, but I give the RV more time, because the weight of the RV puts much more stress on a cold engine than a 3500 pound car.

[beaverman]

If you use a good quality oil and dump a quart of Lucas Oil treatment in it, you'll never have a problem, Ive been running big block Chevy's inall my PU's, Suburbans & MH  that I've owned for 15 years using Castrol 20/50 and a quart of Lucas never ever have I had a problem with engine lubrication

[cook elandan]

I think the with the oil pump connected to the distributor, that when you start cranking the engine, oil will flow and this would be OK to do, but why not start the engine and let it build full pressure for a min. or so.  cranking the motor will allow oil to flow around all the bearings of the crank, rods, cam and lifters.  The pre-oiler would not flow around the bearings as well because the engine is not moving all the parts. IMO.

[stopngo]

I think the with the oil pump connected to the distributor, that when you start cranking the engine, oil will flow and this would be OK to do, but why not start the engine and let it build full pressure for a min. or so.  cranking the motor will allow oil to flow around all the bearings of the crank, rods, cam and lifters.  The pre-oiler would not flow around the bearings as well because the engine is not moving all the parts. IMO.

I like your point in comparison to the pre oiler. As for   

but why not start the engine and let it build full pressure for a min. or so

My understanding is that the worst thing for an Engine is to be started and not allowed to get to full operating temperature re condensation into the oil or is my concern unwarranted??

[Rickf1985]

Oil will cling to everything it needs to in an engine for a long time, months for most parts. Cylinders may get dry but prelubing will not oil cylinders either. Nothing will until the engine is running and oil is flowing.
Starting an engine and letting it run for a couple minutes and shutting it off is probably the worst thing you can do. Stopngo is right that you should let the engine run for at least an hour to get it up to temperature and then have time to evaporate the moisture out of the oil. That is also why you need to run a 180 or hotter thermostat.If you do not want to let it run that long then it is better to let it sit. It will do absolutely no harm at all to let an engine sit all winter. If you are really worried about it then get yourself some fogging oil from a marina and run it through the carb intake as the last thing you do when shutting down for winter. This will coat the insides of the cylinders and manifolds with oil and preserve it for the summer start. A smoky summer start i might add. I used to pickle engines by pouring 10W motor oil down the carb as i gave it more and more throttle until it stalled. Then everything was fully coated in oil. When ready to start change the plugs and put fresh gas in and go for it. I can tell you there were no mosquitoes for miles around the day of a restart of a pickled engine! :)rotflmao :)rotflmao

Beverman, If you are running 20-50 in below freezing weather, especially below zero weather it is a miracle you have not twisted off an oil pump shaft. I can't tell you how many of them I have replaced because of people running heavy oil in the winter.