If you know you are putting an engine up long term, there are special oils that can be used that have vapors that will keep upper surfaces coated, but I have never used or worked with them. Just know they are used in certain circumstances. In general, I have never seen any problems in sitting a long time with fresh oil. I coat my parts when building, and my Mini engine sat a year before starting it, then another year when I found the transmission was damaged (until I got all the parts and repaired it). Then after 50 miles or so I change oil again, as I do with any new engine.

A couple of years would not be bad unless you were in a real humid area 

Richard:

What do you recommend for a car that is being stored longer term than winter? Should oil be changed periodically or is there a process, special oil, treatment etc. to prolong the protective qualities you mention?

Based on my thousands of used oil analysis (not all for this reason), definitely before storage. used oil has some of its anti-corrosive, anti-acid used up, and what is there is not necessarily going to go to work in the spots where moisture is.

I end up analyzing oil from a lot of farm equipment that is put up for the winter, or construction equipment that is put up between jobs. It always has more copper and lead if stored with used oil. 

End of the year, or after a race without a doubt.
The oil contains combustion byproducts which can cause/increase corrosion of gearbox and engine internals.

If you've ever cracked open an old engine and smelt the distinct aroma of rancid oil, you'll change oil & filter before putting the car into winter hibernation.

That makes a lot of sense, Dan. Spring it is! Thanks, guys~

My preference is to do it when waking the car up from hibernation. A few reasons:

1  The oil may have become contaminated over the winter. Once I had a sticking carb float needle that allowed fuel to seep into the engine = lots pf it. That's also when I discovered the top portion of the fuel tank is higher than the carb bowl. I also don't fill the tank for storage any more.

2. I'm not in the habit of recording when I do things with the Mini, so it would be unlikely that I would remember whether I'd changed the oil or not. (Good thing I only have one Mini!)

3. Like Spitz, the Mini gets tucked in for the winter when it gets too cold and the snow starts. Not the best of times to be fumbling around with cold, stiff fingers in an unheated garage.

4. Before the first run in the spring, there is a list of other things to check, such as fluid levels, lubrication, brake condition, battery, belt, tires etc. Oil change is just one more item.

I change all of mine in the spring time.  Unless someone has a good reason to do it before hibernation, it should not matter.

We reach -40......so the cars are in true hibernation....lol

Thanks, I live in the Northeast, so even on those nice winter days, there is always salt residue on the roads, so the car really is in true hibernation mode covered in an unheated garage with a trickle charger connected to the battery (which itself is disconnected from the car). It doesn't get touched, other than to check for mice, for several months. 

It depends, if the mini is put up on blocks or rolled back into garage and is buried with stuff or if the storage is accessible. If accessible, I would change it before  because there might be the opportunity to drive it on some nice dry winter days and the oil is fresh. The impluse to hop in and take the mini out for a spin would be lost if you had to change the oil before taking it out.



My mini is my only car, so I don't face that dilemma. I do try to wait after a snowfall and keep it as dry as possible.

Just wondering if there is a general consensus on whether it makes more sense to change oil at the end of the driving season before the car goes into winter hibernation mode, or better to do it first thing when it wakes up next spring.

Thx in advance.