Oil Change

[RT/M]

I am due to change my oil in the car, i was wondering as the car has not been started for a good couple of months now as well as being layed up on the flat. Would it be best with all of the oil already in the sump now to drain it off and leave it draining for as long as it takes, or start the engine get the oil hot and thin and then drain it off?
Whats the best way?
I know if the car was in regular use and been running more often i would run the engine and then drain.

[TheEnd]

probably better to just pull the plug and go and have a cup of tea, and come back in 10 mins

[syncro.]

RT/M said:

I am due to change my oil in the car, i was wondering as the car has not been started for a good couple of months now as well as being layed up on the flat. Would it be best with all of the oil already in the sump now to drain it off and leave it draining for as long as it takes, or start the engine get the oil hot and thin and then drain it off?
Whats the best way?
I know if the car was in regular use and been running more often i would run the engine and then drain.

Start it up, get the engine up to operating temp then drain the oil (with the engine off obviously) will help to get some of the thicker 'sludge' out, laying up an engine for a few months won't have affected it in anyway.

[RT/M]

syncro. said:

RT/M said:

I am due to change my oil in the car, i was wondering as the car has not been started for a good couple of months now as well as being layed up on the flat. Would it be best with all of the oil already in the sump now to drain it off and leave it draining for as long as it takes, or start the engine get the oil hot and thin and then drain it off?
Whats the best way?
I know if the car was in regular use and been running more often i would run the engine and then drain.

Start it up, get the engine up to operating temp then drain the oil (with the engine off obviously) will help to get some of the thicker 'sludge' out, laying up an engine for a few months won't have affected it in anyway.

Thats what i was already thinking as above, however with not running the car for a couple of months wouldn`t all of the oil already have drained down fully into the sump, then just a case of draining the sump, i can leave it draining all day/weekend if need be its not going anywhere until we get better dryer weather. Also by starting it wont that pump all of the oil around the engine again when its already drained into the sump? Dont get me wrong i have changed the oil loads of times on all of my previous cars changing the oil when its hot,and never any other way but they were regular useage cars.

[Steve_D]

Better to get it warm and move the sticky stuff in the bottom than worry about an egg cup full that may remain on the upper engine surfaces.

Steve