Winterization question- oil leaking into head

[Gill]

Greetings Everyone! My name is Gill- first time poster, long time lurker... I'm really good at fixing small engines and enjoy working on them, but have never had any formal training (except way back in high school), so all I have learned is through reading and applying mechanical knowledge. So I would be the first to admit that I don't know everything.

I am curious about some feed back on winterizing a 4 cycle engine. I know a majority of ppl say that you don't need to do anything... but I think it's a good idea to at least do some things!

Usually I do all the normal stuff- empty gas- clean carb and bowl and even spray some fogging oil in the engine.

Now this is the step I have a question on- how many of you leave the engine with the piston at TDC?

The reason I learned to do this is to keep the valves closed so they don't stick or get stuck.

I had a mower engine with a valve that would always get stuck, which is why I started doing this.

BUT for the first time last year- when I went to start one of my mowers- the head / combustion area was completely filled with oil! And now this happened to a second engine just last week.

Could this be the result of having a difference of pressure from leaving the engine at TDC? I usually pull the rope on all my engines after each use until I feel compression which would mean the valves are closed. Maybe I'm doing this wrong??

Has anyone ever had this problem with oil leaking (over time) into the head area? The compression on the engines are still good and there are no holes that I could see on the piston heads. Once I clean out the oil, the engine will run well too...

Any help or tips would be appreciated

Thanks!!

 

[BigCahuna]

I've only had that kind of issue when I tipped the mower forward . If the oil level is correct that shouldn't do that. I treat the gas in the tank I fill my mower with, and don't do anything else to it. 17 years and counting, never had to drop the bowl.,,,

 

[krismoriah72]

Oil on the head while in storage is kind of like fogging..I would let it be...then just pull the plug out first time you use it and de-oil it.

I rarely empty my gas during winterization..i just load them down with tcw-3 and run them till they smoke good then turn off the gas.

 

[crazyoildude]

Welcome to Bitog...
I see you are also from New Jersey..

 

[Donald]

I always use blue StaBil and E0 gas. At winter I run the OPE until it's out of gas. Hatd to keep the valves closed when fogging if you have several cylinders.

Biggest issue for many is mice chewing and nests.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: BigCahuna
I've only had that kind of issue when I tipped the mower forward . If the oil level is correct that shouldn't do that. I treat the gas in the tank I fill my mower with, and don't do anything else to it. 17 years and counting, never had to drop the bowl.,,,


I did exactly this with a briggs flathead mower. It was actually pretty funny once I got it going. Glad I didn't hydrolock it but I probably would have broken the starter rope before any real damage.

 

[Gill]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
Welcome to Bitog...
I see you are also from New Jersey..


Thanks for the welcome crazy oil dude!

Yes i as well live in the garden state... I live on the jersey shore. One of my favorite things about the area is mass trash night lol ppl are always throwing out old small engines/equipment.. I pick it up, fix it then craigslist it!



ANYWAYS- thanks for all the input guys! Anyone else- I would be interested in your thought. I'm thinking that leaving the engine piston in a TDC might not be worth it. Unless maybe I loosen the spark plus to release any pressure that might be causing the oil leak. Idk maybe my Pistons rings are bad?