Oil Changes and Winter Storage

[LXnastynotch93]

So my Dad and I just tucked our bikes away in the garage for the winter. We didn't change the oil in any of them before hand. However, I've been reading some articles that state the oil should be changed before storage, due to the fact that the oil can become acidic from combustion gasses and actually do corrosive damage. Is this a huge deal, i.e. should I change the oil on all 3 bikes before it gets super cold? I've stored vehicles before (Mustangs) and I've always done the oil change in the spring, and never before storage, and they've all been fine.

Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions on this?

[b0xmonkey]

I always change the oil before winter. Don't like the idea of all the dirt, water, whatever's in the oil sitting throughout the motor for 4 or 5 months.

[Rosco61]

I always change the oil before winter. Don't like the idea of all the dirt, water, whatever's in the oil sitting throughout the motor for 4 or 5 months.

Good advice right there.

[ZX11D]

I change it before and after storage for the same reasons. I use just about any oil in the fall and full synth in the spring.

[nhbubba]

Word I've read is that combustion byproducts and the oil breaking down under heat create acids that can 'eat' metal and cause undue wear on the engine.

Smart money says get the contaminates out of the block before storage. Although the truth is it is probably negligible either way.

I also prefer to do maintenance in the fall as I get very anxious in the spring and really want to just gas and go. If I leave it 'til spring, it just doesn't happen.

[LXnastynotch93]

So if I change it now will I not have to change it in the spring. One of the bikes is a Husky SMR 450 which is a 50 dollar oil change so I really don't want to have to do it twice.

[nhbubba]

It really is your call. Personally, I don't see the value in draining and throwing out brand new, never run oil.

[golden chicken]

I just change every 3000 miles. This year, it happened to happen right before I stored her. Last year, it happened 1000 miles before I put her away and when I brought her out in the spring, I checked the tires and oil level, lubed the chain, and rode to Washington DC and back over a weekend. I think you'll be fine either way.

[Kurlon]

Change the oil now. Don't start the bike until you're ready to use it again for the season. For your first ride, make it a long one so you get the oil good and hot to boil out any moisture that built up over the winter.

[stoinkythepig]

Change it every 6000 miles or so, regardless of the date. Motor oil does not expire over time and used oil does not dissolve engines. You leave used oil in it throughout the riding season don't you?

[Garandman]

Yes, it's a good practice.

There is not a lot of chemical reaction going on at 20 F.

[RandyO]

So my Dad and I just tucked our bikes away in the garage for the winter. We didn't change the oil in any of them before hand. However, I've been reading some articles that state the oil should be changed before storage, due to the fact that the oil can become acidic from combustion gasses and actually do corrosive damage. Is this a huge deal, i.e. should I change the oil on all 3 bikes before it gets super cold? I've stored vehicles before (Mustangs) and I've always done the oil change in the spring, and never before storage, and they've all been fine.

Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions on this?

back in the 20's, 30's 40's & maybe 50's when metalurgy was less advanced than today and before the advent of detergents and other oil additives and dirty fuel, it may have been reasonable advice if you wanted your engine to retain museum quality.

my thought, have you ever heard the term "anal"

[e30addict]

Track toys get stored with fresh oil. No change in spring.

I try to store the bike with relatively fresh oil, but if there's a nice day in winter I'll take it out so it kinda really doesn't matter that much how fresh it is anyway.

Let's face it though, most of us will either trade or destroy the vehicle some other way before any failure caused by storing them with "old" oil.

[SVRACER01]

i dont. never have. i havent had any issues. in the late winter/early spring i get the track bike in for an oil change and the KTM gets done every 5k.

[breakdirt916]

I also did it...but how can we be sure that it made a difference?

[R7]

I change the oil and filter every 3k miles, doesn't matter if it falls end of the season, or not. I also don't buy into the hype of storing for the winter, or starting the season on fresh oil..probably supporting research for this theory was generated by the oil companies..or whoever would profit from such a bogus claim

[TheIglu]

Don't forget to swap your summer air out for winter air.

[waveman]

Word I've read is that combustion byproducts and the oil breaking down under heat create acids that can 'eat' metal and cause undue wear on the engine.

Smart money says get the contaminates out of the block before storage. Although the truth is it is probably negligible either way.

I also prefer to do maintenance in the fall as I get very anxious in the spring and really want to just gas and go. If I leave it 'til spring, it just doesn't happen.

Ditto , What he said

[nhbubba]

Don't forget to swap your summer nitrogen out for winter nitrogen.

Fixed. Can't believe you would suggest a rider put AIR in their tires.

[scubasteveRR]

I do around 3k a summer at the most, I change it before I put it away each year because it's convenient and in the spring I just have to roll her out and ride.

[LXnastynotch93]

Since it seems like there are mixed opinions on this subject, I made a poll.

[SVRACER01]

thats a shitty poll. because technically any oil change is either before or after the winter.
the poll should be: do you change it when you put it away, when you take it out for spring or when its due?
if my bike is due for an oil change right before i put it away then thats when it gets done. if its not due until a month into spring then thats when i do it

[e30addict]

You're missing a few options in your poll.

[TheIglu]

Fixed. Can't believe you would suggest a rider put AIR in their tires.

I run a 78% nitrogen mix.

[LXnastynotch93]

thats a shitty poll. because technically any oil change is either before or after the winter.
the poll should be: do you change it when you put it away, when you take it out for spring or when its due?
if my bike is due for an oil change right before i put it away then thats when it gets done. if its not due until a month into spring then thats when i do it

Very true SV, can a moderator change the poll or is it too late?