Pro's and Con's of fogging engine

[sickpuppy]

Ive got a can of fogging oil that Ive never touched, Ive been dropping some engine oil through the spark plug hole for my winter storage, I have this can of fogging oil from a couple of years ago and I thought maybe I should use it, I have the basic idea, the engine is running at idle, I spray a few short bursts into the intake till the engine stalls out, then remove the spark plug. spray some fogging oil through the top, turn engine over a few times, put plug back in. then go snowmobile shopping.

What are the pro's and con's to this procedure if there is any, I love to hear it.

P.S Looking to apply to ktm 525 and husky te450

Thanks

SP

[k.g]

What's the point? Just to store it for winter? Change the oil and drain the gas tank. Mist a little oil in the cylinder at BDC if you really feel it's neccesary.

[motoxvet]

OK, OP and post #2 kind of agreed in a "political debate" kind of way. OP, Do you mean when it's stored for the winter, to fog it? If so, I can't think of any con's to it. I don't think it's necessary EVERY TIME you park it if you ride all winter. But you are in Ontario, so, like you said...Do it and go snowmobile shopping. Personally, I prefer to fog it vs. just squirting oil down the spark plug hole on a 2 OR 4 stroke. I think it covers the internals better. And yeah, you should change oil first. I DO believe there is a "HOW TO STORE YOUR BIKE" area on TT. Check it out.

[sickpuppy]

Thanks for the replies, yes the bikes are going to be stored for winter, I was thinking that fogging would do a better job, Ive just never done it, Im going fog the bikes this time, if I don't like it, the cat gets an enema.

[downonmonday]

I fog when I am gone for 8+ months at a time. I have yet had an issue with the dirt bikes, sport bikes, lawn mower, etc

[KJ790]

No need to fog a modern bike. That used to be done to keep the steel cylinder sleeves from rusting while sitting, but bikes use nicasil plating on an aluminum cylinder so there is no way that they can rust. It won't hurt anything, but it is not necessary.

[motoxvet]

That may be true if your cylinder is plated but there are a lot of other steel parts that can rust in the motor. I've taken motors apart that have been stored improperly and the rod and big end bearing rollers were pitted from rust forming on the surface. The main bearings were probably rusty too but it was harder to see the balls with the ball separator in the way. This whole problem is worse with colder climates and changeable, humid weather in the winter....CANADA.

[KJ790]

That may be true if your cylinder is plated but there are a lot of other steel parts that can rust in the motor. I've taken motors apart that have been stored improperly and the rod and big end bearing rollers were pitted from rust forming on the surface. The main bearings were probably rusty too but it was harder to see the balls with the ball separator in the way. This whole problem is worse with colder climates and changeable, humid weather in the winter....CANADA.

Putting oil in the intake of a four stroke will not affect the bottom end at all. The rod and all bearings in the engine will never see any of the oil coming through the intake. Fogging oil will only touch the valves, cylinder wall, and cylinder. With the valves being stainless steel or titanium on the OP's bikes, and the cylinders being plated, fogging is completely unnecessary.

[motoxvet]

OOPS. You're absolutely correct. I forgot, OP has 4 strokes.

[No Coast Rider]

I'm going to be having ACL reconstruction on 1-16 and probably won't be able to ride until July, so I decided to fog my engines since they'll be sitting for so long. I have a 17 CRF250R and a 13 150XC. I bought a can of fogging oil and the instructions said to run the bike with the air filter removed, then spray the oil into the intake for 10 seconds and kill the engine. When I tried it though, as soon as the oil hit the intake the engine died on both bikes and then was difficult to get started again. I tried doing it while giving it gas as well and got the same result. What am I doing wrong here? Should I just spray it down the spark plug hole, put the piston to TDC and call it a day? I'm not going to bother with my street bike since I can easily fire that up once a month. 

 

I've never been off my bikes for more than 3 months at a time, going to be depressing! 

[mlatour]

Yes the engine will die even with moderate throttle while fogging,

myself using a bit of throttle give a few small shots which allows the engine to recover after the bog

and then one final shot that shuts off the engine.

 

By the sounds of it your engines are likely already fogged enough for storage.

You can use a little more on the 2-stroke as it also protects the bottom end.

 

Piston at TDC, plastic bag around air filter, exhaust plug,

coolant/antifreeze in proper concentration for anticipated weather (or fully drained and stored bone dry)

A light coat of WD40 on the chain and sprockets, tires aired up to 30psi, bike on stand, no weight on suspension and you're done.

Edited December 19, 2017 by mlatour

[wild.coast]

Any other thoughts on this? I have a 2017 Honda 250L (4 stroke) - those are pretty well made engines, so I'm assuming stuff is plated as mentioned above? Should I bother fogging it??

[wild.coast]

How do you know piston is at TDC (top dead center)? I guess you have to pull the spark plug and insert a TDC tool with the right thread pitch?

[Motox367]

Pretty easy you spray it in intake till dies. Then it's good. But I don't see it doing much good on a fourstroke, more for marine use. I use it for assembly oil. Unless your bike is sitting for 10 years I wouldn't even worry about it. Or it's really humid wherever you are ?? 

Edited January 16, 2023 by Motox367

[William1]

5 hours ago, wild.coast said:

Any other thoughts on this? I have a 2017 Honda 250L (4 stroke) - those are pretty well made engines, so I'm assuming stuff is plated as mentioned above? Should I bother fogging it??

How long are you storing it?

A few months, I'd not bother. Years? Absolutely. Outside in the rain/snow Absolutely. Humid areas with big temperature swings? Absolutely. In a heated basement for six month. Nope, not going to make a difference.

[Motox367]

5 hours ago, wild.coast said:

How do you know piston is at TDC (top dead center)? I guess you have to pull the spark plug and insert a TDC tool with the right thread pitch?

Kick over slow by hand and when it comes to hard stop you're at tdc. I always did that at end of day when raced a 450. Old wise tail I geuss 

[chadk66]

I don’t think anybody fogs motors for storage or less than a year anymore 

[wild.coast]

My bike is parked outdoors. We're in the PNW so lots of damp rainy weather - everything seems to rust!

I definitely wouldn't bother fogging if the bike was stored indoors in a dry/warm garage, but unfortunately that's not an option. The bike is not insured and off the road mid October until mid March.