Revving your engine

[robfturner]

When shutting down an aircraft or marine engine, one shuts off the fuel supply then burns off what fuel remains in the line and carburetor by revving the engine 'til it stalls. This prevents raw gas from seeping down the cylinder walls and eventually contaminating the oil. When you do this in your car, revving before shutting down has the opposite effect. With a constant fuel supply, you're leaving a lot of raw gas to seep down the cylinder walls, washing off the lubrication and eventually running into the crankcase and diluting the oil. Best bet? Let the car idle a few seconds before shutting down. Your oil and engine will thank you and last longer. Metal type connection? I learned this from an old machinist that, at the time of the conversation, had fifty years on the job. His machines just sparkled!

[Dave Hughes]

Thanks for the clarification Rob.

I thought the pilot with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight would know his stuff!

Not surprised my dad didn't!