Will my MINI be fine if I did not change the oil before storing her? I will be changing oil and filter asap. I have heard that oil stored in engines might etch the walls of the cylinder and bearings and such if one does not winterize their car. I have Red Line 5W30 oil with maybe 3K on it. Does using full synthetics oil help prevent this acid etching they describe in the usual winterizing procedures?

Input appreciated.
ARLY

 

How long was it in storage, and how old was the oil when the car was put in storage? You should change the oil and filter BEFORE putting a vehicle in storage to avoid the problems with acids in the old oil, etc. But, if the storage period was only since last fall, and the oil only had a couple thousand miles on it, then I wouldn't worry about it. Next time, though, change the oil and filter before putting yopur car up for the winter. (I just took the winter wraps off my '04 MC - I had changed the oil and filter last November before tucking it in for its hibernation.)

 

You should change oil & filter before storage however, since you stored with Redline oil and only 3K miles on the oil, you'lll be fine:smile: