C6 Valve Clatter

[bryan_p]

I bought my 06 vette in September and this is my first winter of storage for it. I have simply topped up the tank with fuel, driven the wheels onto carpet and attached a trickle charger. With vehicles I have stored in the past, I have attempted to start them once a month on a mild day and have not had any problems. Last week I started the C6 (after about 3 weeks of inactivity) on a day when it was just above freezing and for the first few seconds there was a disturbing clatter coming from the valvetrain. It sounded like a diesel!

What exactly is happening here? Had all the oil drained from the top end causing valve clatter? If so, is there a way to inject oil into the top end without starting the engine? I understand that synthetic oil has less sticking power than regular oil so should I change to regular oil for storage purposes?

Or could this be predetonation? If so, would fuel stabilizer make a difference?

So, am I doing damage to the engine by starting it once a month?

B.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Yes, its the lifters bleeding down.
No, your not causing any damage.
DO NOT EVER put any NON SYNTHETIC engine oil in that car.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[bryan_p]

HI there,
Yes, its the lifters bleeding down.
No, your not causing any damage.
DO NOT EVER put any NON SYNTHETIC engine oil in that car.
Allthebest, c4c5

Whew! That's a relief! Thanks for your quick reply.

B.