Community Forums

Benjaminw675 · 11-11-2019, 07:50 AM

I just arrived back from a trip with about 1/2 a tank of diesel left over. I am not leaving again for another trip for roughly 6 weeks. Is there anything that I need to do with respect to the fuel in the tank? How often should I start up the coach over that time? Should I drive it around a little or is starting it up enough?

Thanks!

richard5933 · 11-11-2019, 07:53 AM

If you aren't going to be able to get the coach on the road and fully warm up the engine, better to just let it sit. Starting up the engine and not driving is worse than doing nothing.

My coach sits from the first of November to March every year, no starting, with no problems.

Benjaminw675 · 11-11-2019, 08:13 AM

So if I am going to pull it out to wash it, I should drive it for awhile as opposed to just pulling it out washing it and putting it back?

road dogs · 11-11-2019, 08:31 AM

If you are going to start a diesel up, best to drive it long enough to get it fully warmed up before shutting it down, otherwise you will have water condensation formed that will stay in the crankcase and combustion chambers for weeks or months, not good for any engine. Best to store it with a full tank to lessen the possibility of moisture forming in the tank. 6 weeks isn't a very long time and fuel shouldn't deteriorate in that short amount of time, besides, diesel fuel won't be any cheaper in 6 weeks. If you're really concerned, put some good diesel fuel stabilizer in the tank...... I would also keep the batteries on a float charger if at all possible.

Benjaminw675 · 11-11-2019, 08:35 AM

The coach is plugged in when in storage so the the float charger is on.

Is there a recommended amount of drive time to ensure the engine heats up sufficiently?

Algoma · 11-11-2019, 09:12 AM

I assume you are using a fuel additive as Cummins now recommends. If so you can just leave the engine alone. Personally I use this, but others have other preferences.

richard5933 · 11-11-2019, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjaminw675

The coach is plugged in when in storage so the the float charger is on.

Is there a recommended amount of drive time to ensure the engine heats up sufficiently?

Long enough to come to normal operating temp.

RubiconTrail · 11-11-2019, 09:39 AM

Six weeks isn't near enough time for diesel fuel deterioration. Chances are a year won't hurt a thing, and I've seen diesel with additive go three to five and still be fine.

What Richard says is basically true, but is usually applied to motors that rarely run, standby generators and the like. In your coach if you drive it a long enough distance to bring it to operating temp every say, two or three times you drive it within a six week (or even six month) interval in between full warmups, I think you are plenty safe.

Ricci · 11-11-2019, 12:53 PM

Hi - In the humidity of Florida the best thing you could do would be to fill the fuel tank. You don't want to have condensation from warm humid days and cooler nights in a half full tank. Beyond that, let it sit unless you want to go for a ride and then give it enough time to fully warm up, like 1/2 hour at speed.

Tom

FLJOE · 11-12-2019, 08:27 AM

Six weeks? I wouldn't do anything. Now if it is going to sit for 3 or 4 months in Florida then I would make sure the tank is topped off and at some point about half way I would take it for a 20 minute spin at highway speeds.

RKins · 11-12-2019, 11:59 AM

I would recommend adding biobor jf to your fuel at every fill up. If you don't already use it, do a double treatment the first time and then single treatment (1 oz per 80 gals) from there on. Other than that, you should be fine. I sit around half full between trips here in FL all the time.