OS Engines, do they have a problem?

I always thought OS engines to be the class of the field, maybe I'm wrong!
Some years ago I bought a 'NIB' (new in box) OS FS-80. I don't remember from whom, however I always take NIB with a pinch of salt.
Being unable to resist a bargain I have bought many engines over the years, since infernal combustion engines have become almost a thing of the past, certainly in the UK. Anyway, to continue:-
A few days ago I was looking for an engine for a project in my collection, as I was sorting through I was turning each of the four strokes to make sure it was on top dead centre (tdc), firing. The FS-80 wouldn't turn! My immediate thought was, 'the bugger, he lied about NIB'! Hardly surprising since this engine dates back to 1982.
Obviously I needed to do something pdq. On removing the cylinder head I discovered what looked like brown glue on the top of the piston and liner. But still locked solid.
Then I removed all the securing screws for the front and rear casings, the front casing was still locked solid but the rear came away easily, all I could see was brown glue and corrosion! Obviously it had been run and then stored without any kind of after run protection!
So everything went into a bath of lacquer thinners overnight.

The next morning this is what I found


I was also able to remove the front casing (with difficulty) and found this


and this


I then started to clean things.

First the cylinder head




The discolouration is where the brown glue was.
Next up, the main body


Whoa, wait a minute, there's no wear marks! Check the piston




No wear marks of any kind, this engine has never been run!

That's not good to hear BB
So we can scratch the urban myth that all OS engines are run before leaving the factory!
After cleaning, blow drying and treating with 3in1 all the bearings seem to run ok, I'm going to leave the small rust marks on the crankshaft and re-assemble.
My storage shed is dry but the temperature can vary from 5 to 50C. It would appear that the assembly oil used isn't up to muster if the engine is stored for a long period of time, in my case 34years. Do we have a right to expect OS to use an oil that is 'fit for purpose' I think the answer is yes! I know that I am about to embark on a re-oil of all my engines.
One also must ask, how many engines have been destroyed because the storage oil was not fit for purpose.

It's a long time since I used i/c, but they were mostly OS. I can only assume that the engine had been 'lubed' with a methanol/caster mix, at some point.
Methanol, of course, is hygroscopic, and castor deteriorates into brown glue.

Eric wrote: It's a long time since I used i/c, but they were mostly OS. I can only assume that the engine had been 'lubed' with a methanol/caster mix, at some point.
Methanol, of course, is hygroscopic, and castor deteriorates into brown glue.

From the evidence this engine had never been run, so what was in there came from the factory, which I think is unacceptable.
At the moment all the parts are lubricated with 3in1, I'm going to re-assemble over the next few days and run it just for you John. . I don't normally run any of my engines until needed. During the time I was collecting bits and pieces for my retirement I went a bit over board and bought way too many engines! About 30 four strokes and about 30 two strokes, because they were bargains! Of course now I'm looking for a 60FS that will go in a 63" Eindecker arf. The supplied engine mount (the bulkhead is already drilled and fitted with T nuts) will take a 35.8mm crankcase, do I have a suitable FS engine? Do I hell!

Here, squareflux, I did post a video of it running, I'll see if I can find that.

In model rail circles, 3 in 1 is frowned upon, because over time, it dries out into a gooey mess, a bit like castor. It is also known to attack some plastics.
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So - you have lubed your favourite loco with 3 in 1, and after a time it gets sluggish, so you lube it with 3 in 1, and - - - - it ends up glued solid, and you have to strip it right down and clean all the muck off!
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On the subject of i/c engines - I have a (my last remaining glow 2-stroker) brand new never been run OS 61 (I forget the model number) Gold head rear induction engine circa 1970 that turns over by hand perfectly freely (disregarding the compression - and I can't take the plug out as I lost my spanner ages ago!), no goo, no sludge - so whatever OS are doing now, different to then, who knows?
Unfortunately, the box and muffler/silencer/strangler disappeared years ago, so a collector wouldn't be interested.