Turning the Prop Over as Part of Preflight?

I've been reading the POH for an older Piper Apache 150 lately and it
suggests pulling the prop through several times in cold weather. (I'm just
assuming to circulate some oil through the engine and prop hub, but then
again just how much would actually circulate when it's cold??) Although the
Apache has Lycoming engines, I too wonder if this is a carry through from
the radial days.
Jim Burns

"O. Sami Saydjari" wrote in message
...
In reading a booked called "Design for Safety", by David Thurston, he
advises owners to "turn the propeller over by hand three or four times
during preflight if the airplane has been standing for half a day or
longer." [p169]

His rationale is as follows. "When an engine has been standing for
awhile and has not been pulled through by hand prior to starting, an
accident could result if fuel or oil has collected in the cylinders.
When the engine fires, trapped fluids can cause bent piston rods,
cracked cylinders, or a damaged crankshaft. Althouogh such accidents
might not cause bodily injury, they surely can harm one's budget and can
beavoided by proper preflight procedures. It is also possible for
damage of this type to remain hidden until something fails in flight"
[pp 147-148].

I am quite surprised that this is the first I have heard such advice.

What do folks on this newsgroup think of that advice?

Does anyone out there do this routinely?

If so, what is the proper procedure? Do you just turn the prop slowly
in the direction the prop normally turns?

Could fuel actually collect in the cylinders as suggested? Why would
the fuel not just evaporate?

-Sami
M2057M, Piper Turbo Arrow III