Cylinder pics. Car sitting for months. No rust.

[Kurtatron]

I’ve heard people say that leaving an engine sitting for months may cause cylinders to rust from non-use. I’ve wondered this myself. Well after letting my 1991 Toyota Previa sit from April to Today, I pulled open the bores to inspect them.

I am elated to see the cross hatch pattern on these cylinders. This is a low miles JDM engine, so mileage is expected around 60k.

But to the point, no rust. I checked all four. No rust in any. Seems the idea that cylinders will rust from non-use isn’t a big issue.

 

[Lubener]

Yes, rust can be a problem...It depends on the conditions in which the vehicle is stored.

 

[TheBeaz]

Cylinder rust is very mysterious.

On one hand, if you don't fog the cylinders on a small engine, it could rust after a few years of storage.

On the other, people get barn finds started after sitting for 20 years. How were the open cylinders not rusted to the point of seizing up?

 

[dishdude]

Cars sit for months all the time, unless you had the heads or a manifold off I wouldn't expect any cylinder rust.

 

[billt460]

And being from south Florida, one might think that would surely help bring on cylinder rust, with the very high humidity. That is obviously not the case here.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Iron vs Nikasil vs Alusil vs Steel vs who knows what else is used nowadays.

 

[daves87rs]

Cars sit for months all the time, unless you had the heads or a manifold off I wouldn't expect any cylinder rust.

+1

 

[joekingcorvette]

There is more than likely a very thin layer of oil that stays on the entire internal components of an engine. I wouldn't believe most engines would rust much if they were stored properly and the key wasn't turned on to inject fuel in engine.

 

[KrisZ]

People that worry about rust from sitting usually have never opened up an engine that sat for years. Same goes for “dry starts” claims.

The engine would need to sit in open elements and ingest water for rust to form. Otherwise everything is coated with oil, so no rust.

 

[wpod]

Was the cylinder that you scoped on the intake, exhaust or compression stroke?

 

[The motor guy]

That bottom left area is rusted

 

[SC Maintenance]

Looks pretty good to me. Did you only scope one cylinder? As mentioned, it may depend on if the valves are open or closed.

 

[Astro14]

Cars sit for months all the time, unless you had the heads or a manifold off I wouldn't expect any cylinder rust.

Well, at least, not in Phoenix.

But here? In the humid salt air by the sea?

Rusted up cylinders happen all the time.

 

[Kurtatron]

Was the cylinder that you scoped on the intake, exhaust or compression stroke?

I snapped a pic of all 4. All were rust free.

 

[Ducati996]

When putting a vehicle up for storage fill the gas tank and run the vehicle to get the engine & exahust system up to temperature prior to shutting it down for a prolonged period. Put a battery tender on it and leave it be.
Under no circumstances are you to start it even briefly unless you intend put it back into service or repeat this process.
Even a brief start introduces moisture into the engine and exahust system which can start the corrosion process.
This is especially important in very cold weather.
Remember every gallon of gasoline burned produces 1 gallon of water.
90cummins l

 

[Oliveoil2]

Shoot a little oil in each cylinder and turn it over by hand. Wait a few days and start it up. Then drive it for 10-20 miles and change the oil and filter. Drive on.