After 5 months without being started, is it a good idea to crank engine with fuel pump disabled to allow oil circulation for a while or would I be doing harm rather than good? Thanks for any advice!

 

I would not let my car set for 5 months without starting it...I know you guys have to "moth ball" your cars and winterize them... but, it's hard on cars to sit that long not getting started...seals dry out, fluids stagnate, I would just want to start it up at least once a month if the temps aren't too low and or put a heat source to warm the cars engine/crankcase up some and run it till it gets up to normal operating temps then put it back to sleep...zzz JMHO

to answer your question: I wouldn't think it would hurt to just crank it up and let it idle till it everything gets lubed and warmed up...before that first drive.

 

If you have concerns you can pull the fuel pump fuse. I would at least do that.

However, if you want to go one step further you can also pull the plugs to crank it over to get oil flowing before you start loading the bearings with full compression.

 

Unless you intend on taking the car for a good drive, simply letting it idle is actually detrimental because condensation will build through the various systems and not properly burn-off.
Keeping fresh fluids is definitely recommended.
I have had to store cars in frigid Wisconsin for 45 years and take the steps needed to ensure the car will be as good in the spring as it was when it was put away. I don't start them and never had a problem.
All the techs I know don't recommend starting them unless they are driven a good distance.

 

 

 

I was only talking about when the conditions are so bad you can't actually take the car out for a drive... and I'm NOT suggesting just a crank it and kill it...but letting it get up to operating temps.. I'd probably even pump the brakes, pump the clutch, or put it in drive, neutral and reverse if I had an auto trans... I get the condensation. But having said that I don't live in the miserable, long, lonely cold winters... don't get me wrong it gets cold here but for much shorter periods of time, and we get snow but it's measured in inches not feet...
I was stating what I think I would do if I were in those conditions..
if I lived there maybe I would not think so.

 

Driving it at least once a month is great if the weather permits. Idling it for a half hour once a month isn't the best thing for it.

 

Letting the car idle once a month is at least getting the systems and fluids flowing.

Condensation where? How would starting the car up, letting it get to operating temp and revving it a few times for good measure harm the engine?

 

We have absolutely huge temperature shifts here in Oklahoma for instance a couple of weeks ago it was -0 one day then nearly 60 degrees the next... the concrete in my shop goes through this warming and cooling process and it creates condensation.. depends some on humidity levels too. I've even seen the case on our harley with beads of sweat on the outside of the covers because the condensation was so bad...THAT is WITHOUT starting it.... so I do start and let my stuff run till it's NICE and HOT to burn out that condensation during the winter months... although it's not months here, usually in a few weeks I can catch a nice day and take them for a spin....
Not saying I'm right or anyone else is wrong it's just what I do here.
I can see where if it stayed below freezing for weeks, months at a time it may be better to just leave the thing in a frozen state...that way you for sure aren't creating a condensing problem, by getting it hot and then cooling down.
If you did start during those extended periods I would think you would need to do it on a fairly regular basis ... maybe monthly.

I also start and run for circulating fluids, keeping the battery charged and just like hearing things run...I can set in the seat and pretend I'm on some crazy ocean side road in California far from the dust, cold, flat, straight, plains of Oklahoma where the wind comes sweeping cross the plains, and the waving wheat can sure smell sweet as the....la la la

 

See that water coming out of the exhaust pipe after idling a cold car for awhile? Moisture and other compounds from burning gas gets into the crankcase due to normal blow by. It may not hurt anything or it could corrode components. Do a search and maybe your question can be answered better.

 

Random question: will the PCM even let the engine crank if there's no fuel pressure?

 

Just start it up and be done with it. I would suggest in the future that anytime your car is going to set this long to at least start it at times and let it reach full operating temperature.

 

Just start it up...it has synthetic oil that is an excellent lubricant. Live life on the edge. I do it every year with my Corvette and SSR LS2 that sit for months at a time and has not hurt them a bit. Let it idle for a period of time and check for leaks etc.

 

Always used the start it once a month and let get to operating temp in all my stored cars and motorcycles. Never a problem. Key is operating temp....oil temp, not water temp. The oil takes a lot longer to warm. I'll continue to do what's worked for me for many years. Everyone has their own madness

 

Been storing my car for many years without starting the car during the storage months and never have had any problems come spring.

 

Those that store all winter and don't start what are you doing? Up on jack stands, stabil, battery tender, fresh fluids before store.....???

 

This winter was my first winter storage for my first Vette. I changed oil, added a can of Sea Foam stabilizer, a bottle of Techron, inflated tires to 40 PSI, put on Battery Tender and stored in Car Capsule inside the garage. Pleased with the Car Capsule in that I have not seen any moisture or rusty rotors and no worry about mice.

 

Haven't heard of the capsule...I'll have to take a look to see what that is. I've stored a number of cars/bikes in the past but this was my first with the Z, bought it in January.

There was a black Z06 for sale in your town that I was trying to look at in December. Guy flaked and I ended up picking up a Z in NY instead.

 

I bought capsule thru amazon.
www.carcapsule.com is website.