Does Full Synthetic Oil Degrade Over Time?

The biggest concern may be condensation because the system is probably not completely sealed. The introduction of moisture could cause the oil to degrade and would be considered a contaminate.

 

Doesn't matter, moisture is introduced into the engine through the intake and through crankcase ventilation which is common on internal combustion engines, especially those that utilize a carborator. As the engine warm up, the moisture in the air condenses and turns from a vapor to a liquid. Very limited use just componds the problem because the engine does not get hot enough long enough to heat the liquid back to a vapor for it to be expelled from the engine. Short answer, it sure wouldn't hurt to change it annually!

I have a generator in my RV and it's recommended that it be run under load for at least 30 minutes every couple of months for this very reason. I change the oil in it annually just to be safe. It only takes two quarts, so it's not that big a deal.

 

Probably wouldn't hurt to start the generator quarterly and run it for 15 minutes or so under load, to make sure that it still works. Then change the engine oil annually as previously suggested, to get water vapor out of the crankcase.

 

Or, drain the crankcase empty, and put a flashlight, a quart of oil, and a funnel next to it.

When needed, turn on the flashlight, fill the crankcase with the oil using the funnel, and fire it up.

No worries - the oil in the bottle will have at least a 5 year shelf life.

 

I wouldn't do that, because the oil is best off in the engine to prevent corrosion. I agree with Patrick, just run it a few times a year. Let it run long enough to get the oil warm just a few times a year and the oil can stay in there for years.

 

Nearly 30 years ago, I worked at a Honda power products dealership that carried generators, waterpumps, and mowers. You should be more concerned with the gas. At the very least, add sta-bil to it.

 

Yes, the long-term storage instructions make sense. Note step #3: the point of that is to turn the crankshaft until both valves are closed.

However you'll have to remember to add fuel and oil before using the generator, if you implement those storage instructions.

 

Indoors, a lightly oiled cloth is enough. A plastic cover can trap moisture from a slightly moist floor, one dry enough that you don't realize it's moist.