Motorcycles and other engines that are left idle for long periods can corrode and get damaged, especially by rust. This problem is not exclusive to motorcycles as it occurs to boats, lawnmowers, old cars, and snow blowers.
When it comes to rusting, most people believe that just having motor oil in the engine would suffice, but it does not. To ensure that the surface of the engine is safe from rust and corrosion, additional components must be incorporated into the oil. The problem is that some oils lack these components or contain very little of them to protect your engine.
What Causes Engine Corrosion?
Engine wear is a process whereby various components in an engine are affected in one way or the other. But it is similar to rust, although it tends to develop over time. Let’s look at the main reasons why engine corrosion happens:
Can React with Other Materials – If the temperature is extremely high, some parts of the motorcycle engine will corrode. This is so because of friction firstly, if the engine oil as well as not enough, or next, it can be of poor quality.
Crevice Corrosion
This is found in localized areas only, such as around the seal and gasket gaps. Other things get trapped in these areas and gradually put more wear and tear on the engine parts.
Chemical Corrosion
Owing to the combination of fuel and oil with water, unbeneficial intervals such as sulphuric acid are formed. These chemicals are capable of causing damage to necessary engine components.
Galvanic Corrosion
This is the reaction that occurs when two different metals come into contact with one another. It is not complicated and can be rather safe, even though it has certain side effects that may become critical.
At Fubex Lubricants, we understand the value of good oil in protecting your engine from corrosion.
What Problems Can Engine Corrosion Cause?
If engine corrosion isn’t fixed, it can lead to big problems, expensive repairs, and even shorten the life of your car. Here are some common problems engine corrosion can cause:
- Overheating: Corrosion can make your engine overheat. Rust and corrosion create more friction, which can damage the cooling system and cause leaks.
- Worse Gas Mileage: Corrosion can mess with how your engine burns fuel, making it less efficient. This means your car might not get as many miles per gallon (MPG) as it should.
- Clogged Fuel Injectors: Corrosion can cause tiny parts, like fuel injectors, to get clogged with dirt and deposits. This makes your engine work less efficiently.
- Blocked Filters: Corrosion can turn oil into sludge, which can block fuel and oil filters. This causes more problems for your engine.
- Shorter Oil Life: Corrosion can make you change your engine oil more often because it gets dirty and doesn’t work as well to keep the engine running smoothly.
How to Prevent Engine Corrosion
Even though engines are tough, you can help your car last longer by preventing corrosion. Here are some simple tips to keep your engine safe:
- Follow Your Bike’s Service Plan – Get your motorcycle checked once a year. Changing the oil and oil filter every 12 months helps keep the engine protected and running smoothly.
- Check the Coolant/Antifreeze – Look at the coolant level often to make sure there’s enough clean fluid. You can also test the fluid to see if it’s still working well.
- Use Good Coolant/Antifreeze – Some coolants have special ingredients that stop corrosion. Always use high-quality coolant to protect your engine.
- Take Care of the Fuel System – The fuel system helps keep your engine healthy. Change the fuel filter every 20,000 miles, and don’t drive on an empty tank because it can pull dirt into the engine. Fuel additives can also help keep the fuel system clean.
- Flush the Cooling System – If the coolant changes color, it’s time to flush the system. This clears out dirt that can cause corrosion.
By following these tips, you can help protect your engine from damage and make it last longer!
Engine Corrosion: Causes and How to Prevent It
Engine corrosion happens when water and sulfur from low-quality fuel mix and create sulfuric acid. This acid can cause rust inside the engine. A lot of this happens in cold weather when the engine isn’t used much, like in the winter.
When a cold engine starts, water condenses on parts like the pistons and cylinders, which can lead to rust. If the oil doesn’t cover these parts quickly enough, they can get damaged and wear out faster.
Here are some tips to help prevent engine corrosion:
- Use a Good Lubricating System – A system that works right when the engine starts is best. Splash lubrication systems are good at this.
- Place the Oil Pump in the Sump – This helps the oil flow better.
- Use a Proper Oil Filter – Make sure the oil filter has a bypass to keep oil flowing.
- Keep Oil Lines Short and Wide – Shorter, wider lines (at least ½ inch) help oil reach engine parts faster.
- Use Light Oil in Winter – Light oil flows better in cold weather and protects your engine.
People used to think that thin oil causes more wear, but tests show it doesn’t. Castor oil is also good at resisting water, so it can help protect engines stored in cold weather.
Corrosion usually happens when water vapor and moisture in the air stick to cold engine parts like the cylinders. This water causes rust on things like the crankcase, wrist pins, and other parts of the engine.
The sulfur in fuel and oil mixes with water to make sulfuric acid, which can erode the engine. Water builds up inside the engine more quickly in cold temperatures, and the amount of sulfur depends on the type of fuel and oil you use. To stop corrosion, it’s important to keep water out of the engine or neutralize its effects.
Bottom Line
Maintaining the engine of the motorcycle really matters so that it will not break down in the middle of the road. Right oil and some simple things, as mentioned above, can go a long way in preventing rust and future problems.
Fortunately, there are simple tips that you should follow when you want to prolong the lifetime of your engine, and one of them is checking your oil level. As you are taking Care of your engine, there should be no worry when you are on a ride!
Safe your motorcycle with Fubex Lubricants Motorcycle Engine Oil! Also, it would be best if you remembered that our special oil prevents this process (rust) and keeps your engine joyful and sound. Protect yourself with the best – Fubex.
FAQs
Q1: How does motorcycle engine oil prevent rust and corrosion?
Ans: When the engine is working, a layer of oil covers the engine parts and the inside walls of the crankcase. This oil helps keep the parts safe from rust and corrosion as long as they stay there. But when you turn off the engine, the oil flows back down into the oil sump because of gravity, which means the engine parts are left without protection.
Q2: What are the key additives in engine oil that contribute to corrosion prevention?
Ans: They are usually made from phosphorus compounds, and the most common one is called zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP). There are different kinds of ZDDP: some are made for hydraulic systems, and others are designed to work well at the high temperatures found in engine oils. ZDDP also helps stop rust and keeps the oil from breaking down.
Q3: Can using the wrong type of engine oil increase the risk of corrosion in motorcycle engines?
Ans: It’s super important to use the right oil for your bike so it works well and stays safe. If the oil is too thin, it won’t stick to the fast-moving parts in the engine. This can make those parts rub against each other too much, get really hot, and wear out faster.
