Pre lube - Pre oil after sitting - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Corvette95 · 07-25-2022

Well, due to life events, my ZR-1 hasn't been cranked/started in over 6 months. I know this is boarder line on the need for pre-oil. I searched the threads, I KNOW there is at least ONE article on this, maybe from Heibeck. Could any one help me find it or give me a good procedure. I know, it's not technically needed, but I want to anyway. Thanks! (Mobile 1 with Bosch filter)

secondchance · 07-25-2022

Towards the end of the article.
http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...ping%20LT5.pdf

CamP · 07-26-2022

Those are great tips for a ultra low mileage car coming out of hibernation.

Sounds like overthinking it a bit for a driver thats been off the road for a year, or so. All my cars have gone thru periods of years between starts without doing anything but charge the battery and fire it up.

A26B · 07-26-2022

Many years ago, I acquired a lot of about 30 LT5 engines that came out of GM storage left over from all sorts of projects, Active Suspension, Phase 2, 89 models, warranty replacements, engineering testing, "window" for cam chain testing, etc.

The engines were placed in open crates, some assembled, some partially disassembled, no protection or preservation was ever intended. These engines had bee sitting for 10+ years. I disassembled a few and without exception, there was oil still present on all the rod bearings as if the engine was recently run.

One of the complete engines was installed, started & used for several months without issue, except for a leak in the front cover or seal area.

I have handled 7 crate engines & sold all to customers who followed my recommended protocol to bring them to life. Without exception, all of them started & ran just fine. Engine oil had to be drained before shipping, but to my knowledge, none of them were pre-oiled before starting. These are engines last run on a dyno in 1993, so at least 15 years.

Part of my protocol was to remove the plugs, squirt a small amount of light motor oil in each cylinder, crank it over a few revolutions to lube the cylinders & pump oil to pressurize the oil galleys before re-installing the plugs & running.

Nothing wrong with pre-oiling a newly built engine especially, but I don't really think it is at all necessary on an engine last run a few months or even years ago. You could always just pull the plugs, & crank the engine over until you begin to see pressure.

Just my 2 cents worth......

Dynomite · 07-26-2022

Quote:

Originally Posted by A26B

These engines had been sitting for 10+ years. I disassembled a few and without exception, there was oil still present on all the rod bearings as if the engine was recently run.

Engine oil had to be drained before shipping, but to my knowledge, none of them were pre-oiled before starting. These are engines last run on a dyno in 1993, so at least 15 years.

I don't really think it is at all necessary "Pre-Oiling before starting" on an engine last run a few months or even years ago. You could always just pull the plugs, & crank the engine over until you begin to see pressure.
"Added information in Green"

Excellent Information Jerry (A26B) and from one who has the most experience with the necessity of pre-oiling engines issues

Corvette95 · 07-26-2022

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondchance

Towards the end of the article.
http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...ping%20LT5.pdf

Thanks! That was what I was looking for! Also, I appreciate the response Jerry. I know that you are right and that pre-oiling is not needed, but to my OCD mind it is. I normally don't let any of my Corvette's go for more than 3 months without starting and getting fully up to temperature.

DRM500RUBYZR-1 · 07-28-2022

Agree with Jerry.
Nice to do.
Necessary?
No.

I once parked my Z for what I thought would be a month or two.
Turned into 3 years.
Bumped the key, started immediately, like I had just shut it off.
Oil pressure came up near instantly.
Did not even have chain rattle.

Sometimes we just worry just a bit too much.
Enjoy your Z

Marty

CamP · 07-28-2022

Paralysis by analysis

Z51JEFF · 07-29-2022

Way too much trouble that's not needed. My car will sit for months at a time. Put gas pedal to floor and crank engine a few seconds. Take foot off gas pedal and start. This procedure is used to clear a flooded engine,engine will crank over but won't start with the pedal full depressed.

07-25-2022	#1
Corvette95 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Decatur, AL Posts: 1,119	Pre lube - Pre oil after sitting Well, due to life events, my ZR-1 hasn't been cranked/started in over 6 months. I know this is boarder line on the need for pre-oil. I searched the threads, I KNOW there is at least ONE article on this, maybe from Heibeck. Could any one help me find it or give me a good procedure. I know, it's not technically needed, but I want to anyway. Thanks! (Mobile 1 with Bosch filter) __________________ Corvette95 Registry and Forum (*************) 1989 C4 Conv Wht/Gry Auto Hardtop Top Flight SOLD 1995 C4 Coupe Purple/Blk 6 Speed 1989 C4 Conv Wht/Red Auto SOLD 1996 C4 Conv Black/Tan Auto SOLD 1994 C4 Coupe Wht/Blk SOLD 1995 C4 ZR-1 White/Gry #278 Dual Dunn Head SOLD 1986 C4 Coupe Black/Red 4+3 SOLD 1990 C4 ZR-1 Red/Red #0454

07-25-2022	#2
secondchance Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: McLean, VA Posts: 3,723	Re: Pre lube - Pre oil after sitting Towards the end of the article. http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...ping%20LT5.pdf

07-26-2022	#3
CamP Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: fort worth Posts: 183	Re: Pre lube - Pre oil after sitting Those are great tips for a ultra low mileage car coming out of hibernation. Sounds like overthinking it a bit for a driver thats been off the road for a year, or so. All my cars have gone thru periods of years between starts without doing anything but charge the battery and fire it up. Last edited by CamP; 07-26-2022 at 12:24 AM.

07-26-2022	#4
A26B Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arcadia,OK Posts: 3,394	Re: Pre lube - Pre oil after sitting Many years ago, I acquired a lot of about 30 LT5 engines that came out of GM storage left over from all sorts of projects, Active Suspension, Phase 2, 89 models, warranty replacements, engineering testing, "window" for cam chain testing, etc. The engines were placed in open crates, some assembled, some partially disassembled, no protection or preservation was ever intended. These engines had bee sitting for 10+ years. I disassembled a few and without exception, there was oil still present on all the rod bearings as if the engine was recently run. One of the complete engines was installed, started & used for several months without issue, except for a leak in the front cover or seal area. I have handled 7 crate engines & sold all to customers who followed my recommended protocol to bring them to life. Without exception, all of them started & ran just fine. Engine oil had to be drained before shipping, but to my knowledge, none of them were pre-oiled before starting. These are engines last run on a dyno in 1993, so at least 15 years. Part of my protocol was to remove the plugs, squirt a small amount of light motor oil in each cylinder, crank it over a few revolutions to lube the cylinders & pump oil to pressurize the oil galleys before re-installing the plugs & running. Nothing wrong with pre-oiling a newly built engine especially, but I don't really think it is at all necessary on an engine last run a few months or even years ago. You could always just pull the plugs, & crank the engine over until you begin to see pressure. Just my 2 cents worth...... __________________ Jerry Downey JERRYS LT5 GASKETS & PARTS http://www.jerrysgaskets.com 1994 *ZR-1, Black/Black, Lingenfelter Aerobody, 416cu in, 3.91 gears, coil-over susp, Brembo brakes, etc. 2016 Black-Red, 3LT-Z51 Auto 8-speed. Last edited by A26B; 07-26-2022 at 10:44 AM.*

07-28-2022	#7
DRM500RUBYZR-1 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mullica Hill, New Jersey Posts: 2,593	Re: Pre lube - Pre oil after sitting Agree with Jerry. Nice to do. Necessary? No. I once parked my Z for what I thought would be a month or two. Turned into 3 years. Bumped the key, started immediately, like I had just shut it off. Oil pressure came up near instantly. Did not even have chain rattle. Sometimes we just worry just a bit too much. Enjoy your Z Marty

07-29-2022	#9
Z51JEFF Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fremont,Ca Posts: 3,078	Re: Pre lube - Pre oil after sitting Way too much trouble that's not needed. My car will sit for months at a time. Put gas pedal to floor and crank engine a few seconds. Take foot off gas pedal and start. This procedure is used to clear a flooded engine,engine will crank over but won't start with the pedal full depressed.