Storing your engine on its side

Combat · 14 June 2019, 18:33

Could anyone tell me how long I can store a engine on its side, I'm off on holiday and want to pack my car up, is it ok to leave engine on its side for a few days?
Thanks

Locozodiac · 14 June 2019, 19:35

If don't want to have fuel spills on your car, run carb dry after use. Better is to lay motor down with prop facing up or build a wooden motor stand which will be more adequate.

Happy Boating

Fenlander · 14 June 2019, 19:47

It's the same 4-stroke as I had I think so just the one side it can lay on. I also tried to put something under the powerhead end like a blanket so it was at least a little raised. A few days should be fine and no doubt it will be upright for a little while before starting... do check the oil level to make sure it's not leaked somewhere.

jeffstevens763@g · 14 June 2019, 20:28

It's a modern portable engine they advertise laying down some I believe can be laid on three sides happy to be corrected but as fenlander says I would have an incline towards the block oil will still move in the engine under braking and acceleration just to be safe IMO

Combat · 14 June 2019, 22:08

Thanks all, hopefully it doesn't leak, 3.5 hrs to Cornwall tomorrow

Fenlander · 14 June 2019, 22:09

It'll be fine. Have a great time down there and do post some stuff about how you get on.

jeffstevens763@g · 14 June 2019, 22:25

I was in halfords the other day they have some plastic trays for £20 not ridged so will fit round stuff but will contain any spills in the boot worth a look

Mikefule · 14 June 2019, 23:00

Always run the carb dry by disconnecting the fuel pipe and letting the motor run until it stops. Store the engine upright if it is for an extended period. If you need to put it on its side for a long journey, that's fine. The engine should be marked this side up. If it doesn't leak in a 3 hour journey, there is no reason why it should leak in a day or two days. However, over a long time, there may be some seepage.

The thing about storing it on its side is not that you should never do so, but that you must do it on the correct side. (4 strokes only.) If you store it on the wrong side, the oil gets where it shouldn't. If you store it on its correct side, the oil stays where it should.