Keeping engine in good condition if car is not in use

[method]

Hey, just wondering how to keep a engine in good condition if the car isn't being used regularly.

Going away for 4 months and my car is with my parents.

Should the engine be turned over by hand or should it be started?

If started how long should it be run for?

Cheers
Simon

[Lloyd]

Just start it each week or 2. Only issue you'll probably have is the battery is gonna die

[Dell'Orto]

Get one of those solar powered battery chargers, they put out about an amp, which is sufficient to keep your battery topped up (provided you dont have something drawing heaps of current). Maybe get them to turn it over once a week, it should be fine.

[method]

Start the idle for a few minutes?

I have a electric battery charger it can be hooked up to every now and then.
Not much sunlight in the garage.

[Mr Revhead]

preferably driven every week or so
leave ya car sitting too long and you can flat spot the tyres

also just idling an engine for a bit isnt the best for it
needs load and variances on revs

[Dell'Orto]

Realistically, it just needs to be turned over, not fired up. But yeah, good point about tyres developing flatspots...could always just chuck it on axle stands and get your parents to crank it over for a couple of turns each week.

[fivebob]

If it's going to be started up it needs to be run until it is properly warmed up or it will leave water vapour in the cylinders/exhaust, which is not good.

If it's only for four months I wouldn't worry about it, except maybe disconnecting the battery and/or connecting a solar charger to it.

[method]

Yeah.

Does the engine need oil pumped around or does it just need the pistons and bearings to move around a little so they dont start seizing up?

Ive noticed if i leave it sitting for too long it doesnt like to start and coughs and splutters under load for a little while. So i try and drive it weekly now.

[fivebob]

The main reason for turning the engine over is to keep the bores coated with oil so they don't rust. The bearings are pressure fed and should retain some oil so are not really at risk of seizing up.

Provided the engine was properly warmed up the last time it was run, and it is stored in a dry environment then there's not much benefit from turning it over every couple of weeks. You could go to the extent of "winterising" the engine by putting a few drops of air tool oil down the spark plug holes and turning the engine over a few times, but that may cause the plugs to foul when you go to start it up.

FWIW I Just started my Holden after letting it sit for 3-4 years, started after about 3-4 turns and run smoothly, even with 4 year old fuel. Although thats in an airconditioned underground carpark in Australia and the humidity rarely ever gets over 20%

[neo]

Get one of those solar powered battery chargers, they put out about an amp, which is sufficient to keep your battery topped up (provided you dont have something drawing heaps of current). Maybe get them to turn it over once a week, it should be fine.

This idea didnt work on the racecar, ae101 + dynatron alarm + solar charger = dead battery after afew months

[barryogen]

This idea didnt work on the racecar, ae101 + dynatron alarm + solar charger = dead battery after afew months

Those ones they sell at DSE/Repco/Supercheap aren't enough to keep the battery charged, you would need something bigger(more expensive, less practical).