Ok hows bout a heating strap for maintaing engine temp during storage?

[Cipher]

Its the forst time ove had a liquid cooled engine to store. The coolant checks out ok but what of the idea of carboy heat strap with a thermostat to keep the engine at a more or less constant temp? Save oil yes?

[roeme]

...Uh, what?

Just pre-heat the engine when you want to take her for a spin with whatever you want, if your concern is lack of lubrication at cold start....

But...I mean, what oil have you in there? I've got SAE10W40...do the temps really dip below -10°C at your place (I can hardly imagine you'll want to take her for a spin then)?

Seems bit like a waste of energy? Maybe explain the situation a bit more?

[Cipher]

no for fulltime storage till spring to keep things from going down to -30 and to stop cycling

[Hinermad]

My marginally informed guess is it's probably unnecessary. As far as I'm aware cold doesn't hurt the oil itself; you just need to make sure it's warmed up so it'll flow through the engine properly before you try to ride.

I live across the lake from you and we get similar temps here during the winter. My bike stays parked outside under a tarp all winter with no heat. I wait for a warm day to start it for the first time in the spring and give it plenty of idling time to circulate the oil before taking it out to ride. So far, so good.

I worked with a guy who rode all winter with a heated suit but I believe he kept his bike (a Triumph Tiger) in a heated garage. If you plan on riding in the winter the heat belt might be a good idea.

[Fjbj40]

Waste of energy for just winter storage.

[Sandy]

We've stored numerous water cooled vehicles outside for the winter for decades with temps going to -30C regularly without any issues at all, and these vehicles we've owned for going on 20 years. All I do is fill and stabilize the fuel, pull the batteries indoors and make sure the antifreeze is good.

[roeme]

no for fulltime storage till spring to keep things from going down to -30 and to stop cycling

Well, AFAIK the oil won't care. And if your coolant is properly set up with antifreeze it won't either until -37°C, usually. Lower than that, you'd want to look into specialized solutions for the coolant.

Even assuming you have trace amounts of water in your oiling system($DEITY forbid), that'd be in the oilpan, and there it can freeze all it want, nothing to damage...

Spare the expense, use the energy where it's useful to you, and the environment.

[storm 64]

Its the forst time ove had a liquid cooled engine to store. The coolant checks out ok but what of the idea of carboy heat strap with a thermostat to keep the engine at a more or less constant temp? Save oil yes?

My motorcycles just told me they want to move in with you for the winter. I told them "Suck it up butter cup, we all have to get through this winter together" ☺

[Wingsconsin]

I have been 'storing' liquid cooled motorcycles for years ---
The various Goldwings I have owned for the past 20+ years were all liquid cooling -
My storage process for them was/is - Stabilizer in the fuel - full tank - change oil - remove battery into basement and onto maintainer -
The liquid coolant is checked each summer and in the fall - it the anti-freeze is proper the coolant will not freeze up -
I store mine in a corner of my unheated garage - temps get to minus temps every January for a few weeks typically.
No problems thus far.