Quote Originally Posted by travelite View Post
Tuga,

From what I gather engine oil has a buffering characteristic that neutralizes the acids that you talk about, predominantly sulfuric and nitric. As the engine oil ages, the buffer/neutralizing capability diminishes. These acids, if left unchecked, attack the metals in the engine, damage surfaces and possibly lead to early engine failure. As the engine sits, the thin layer of oil covering vital surfaces becomes ever thinner until virtually nothing is left to buffer against the acids that may form due to condensation. This situation is made worse if the oil is worn out; i.e., it's buffering/neutralizing capability is down by 50%. Get some fresh stuff in there and you stand a better chance of guarding those precious surfaces. This is my layman's understanding.


David Brady
'02 Blue Bird Wanderlodge LXi,
Series 60 Equipped,
Asheville, NC

Close, no cigar! The stuff in the oil, commonly known as detergent, hold the not so pleasant effluent in suspension within the oil. There is no expiration date on a can, gallon or drum of oil...the "stuff" is still there after years. True, the detergents dissipate after use however the oil change intervals are set to the conservative and most folks drain oil that still has all the necessary properties.

A non running engine will produce very little, if any condensation, that is all a result of combustion, blow by and the like. Starting an engine and not allowing it to reach full operating temperature when there is a moducum of hope that the moisture will evaporate, is perhaps the most lethal thing one can do.