Best way to store a 2 stroke for a couple of years?

2 Stroke Kart Engine Forums
1

I’ve got three older Komets that I don’t plan to run at this time, what is a good way to store them so that they will be runnable when put back into service. They are all fresh rebuilds at this time.

2

Lease them out and rebuild them when they get back to you. Best way to avoid having the seals dry out and the bearings rust. I tried storing an ICA for a couple of years, then sold it, and the buyer got a nasty surprise when he looked inside - totally ruined.

3

It would be possible but you’d have to drench the internals with inhibiting preservation fluid - the kind that goes into aircraft engine fuel systems when they’re in storage. I can get you the name of some products to look for if you wish.

4

yeah, do you know of some names of the preserve oil for long term storage, wondering, once you apply it, can you just “gas & go” with it, or isthere some kind of cleaning operation that is needed.

5

That would be much appreciated.
Thanks

6

I’ll have a look for you today, I’d also seal it inside a good quality freezer bag with a couple bags of dessicant and an indicator. Check the indicator isn’t pink periodically if it is change the dessicant (you can dry them out in the oven).

7

I’m curious what the issue is with long-term storage. Is it the moisture in the air causing oxidation or is it residue from fuel and oils causing problems? I have a new unused motor that Is kept in a climate-controlled basement, should I be concerned?

8

Fog with WD and throw some Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinder.

Drain fuel and clean out carbs.

Spritz some WD on the exhaust.

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9

Just had this thought, if you could fit it in a vacuum bag and put it under vacuum theoretically that would take most of the oxygen out and vastly reduce the possibility of oxidation. :thinking: Would be really easy for exhausts just because they’re smaller.

10

So airplane engines are inhibited with MIL-PRF-6081 spec such as Royco481 or Aeroshell2, it’s basically a preserving oil with anti oxidant additives. Ought to work perfectly fine if you could get a hold of some and soak the internals with it. Cap off any openings then put the whole thing inside a good zip lock freezer bag with a large sachet (like 1kg) of silica dessicant. I’d say you could keep it like that for years.

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11

Never tried it for kart engines, but STA-BIL fogging oil is a commonly used product on marine products.

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