Is fogging a motor a must ?

[kyron4]

For winter storage I had always drained the gas from the tank and carb, pull the handle a few times till it won't sputter, and then squirt some oil in each spark plug hole and pull a few times. The motor, a 56 lightwin 3hp, is stored in my garage were the temp stays above 30* in the winter. So is this enough or do I need to buy a can of "fogging" oil and spray down the carb etc. ? Is the purpose of fogging to prevent corrosion ? What happens if you don't fog with fogging oil ? Any ifo on the topic would be great. -Thanks

 

[F_R]

Re: Is fogging a motor a must ?

Fogging protects all the internal powerhead parts. Putting oil into the cylinders only protects the cylinders.

Is it "necessary"? Obviously, you have been getting away with what you have been doing. But what, if by some twist of fate, it doesn't get used again for several years? Or, perhaps, there may be a minor water seepage getting in where it doesn't belong.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Is fogging a motor a must ?

Fogging can only do good in my opinion. I do it every season as part of the winterizing procedure.

 

[kyron4]

Re: Is fogging a motor a must ?

Can I use plain Sea Foam or do I need something else ? What do I NOT want to use to fog a motor ? -Thanks

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Is fogging a motor a must ?

With todays fuel(additives & ethanol) its really a must due to the fuel/additives wanting to draw moisture from surrounding environment. I suggest a fogging oil sold at a marine store and there are several brand ranging from $4-$9 a can and a can will do engine several times....

 

[ezeke]

Re: Is fogging a motor a must ?

Aerosol fogging oil is best. The products are specific to that use and widely available.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Is fogging a motor a must ?

As F R said Squirting oil in the spark plug holes only protects the cylinders. You are not protecting the lower end - crankshaft and main bearings. You might wanna consider spraying fogging oil in the carb. I have an older boat, A 77 cutlass, 2 Snowmobiles an ATV ,snowblower and a lawnmower, that all receive this routine. In MN every thing has a storage season. All my stuff still has great compression. Basically, I run engine at high idle, start spraying fogging oil into carb, engine will bog down, sputter and die. If it doesn't stall, have an assistant pull throttle back to slow idle, it will stall out. You don't want it to stall to fast, before internals are thoroughly covered, or have it chug on forever. You will get the feel for it. I like to see the exhaust get smokey. Small outboard would take 3_5 seconds I suppose . My 4.3 V6 in boat is probably closer to 10 secs total. Then I would drain fuel from carb and tank. [ In your case ] Then for added protection, pull spark plug [s ]and do a squirt in cylinder as you have been doing. Pull the rope a few times w plug out to distribute oil. On your single cyl, I would put the plug back in then [don't hook up wire, don't want it to fire] And slowly pull on starter rope till you feel the pressure building from the piston coming up on its compression stroke. Then STOP, and leave it there for storage. The cylinder is now sealed and closed . I don't know if Sea Foam is a great option. I think its more of a solvent then a lube. I would prob use WD40 before S F. Thats if I couldn't get fogging oil. At a Marina i frequented, they dumped tranny fluid in the carbs for fogging , so IDK, bacon grease would probably work ok ! Then sometimes before I put engine back in service I will take plug [s ] back out and pull rope or crank engine a little bit to blow out any excess oil and to be sure I have no hydro lock issues, in case I squirted to much oil in the cylinders, prob not necessary but playin it safe. Then start it and watch it smoke like a mo fo Then some people clean or replace plugs. I have if I am feeling ambitious ,but they never seem to be fouled really. My 2 Cents.. Any one have any thoughts???

 

[kyron4]

Re: Is fogging a motor a must ?

I picked up a can of StaBil Fogging Oil at Big R today. So I just spray it in the carb for a few seconds while idleing till it smokes and cuts out, then drain the carb and tank and then a few shots down the spark plug holes ? -Thanks

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Is fogging a motor a must ?

Pretty much... Thats the short version in a nutshell, If you want the long-winded ,drawen out version [ which are just MY thoughts on the subject] see my last post...

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Is fogging a motor a must ?

This isn't relevant in your case, but very valid if someone searches this forum. Not all engines should be fogged or use fogging oil/storage sealer, etc.

My Optimax requires using 2 stroke oil in each cylinder, then manually cranking the flywheel. Fogging oil will gum up the injectors.

Again, not relevant to the OP question, but if others have newer DFI engines, fogging IS NOT the right answer. (just want folks to be aware of some exceptions to all rules)

 

[ezeke]

Re: Is fogging a motor a must ?

Most newer carbureted engines have the primer solenoid with a schrader valve for injecting the tuner and fogging oil. If you use the schrader valve as intended, you won't gum up your carburetors.

The $2.00 injector hose for the aerosol cans is part # 0763644.