Cranking engine over in winter

[SpaceNorman]

I'm in the "agree to disagree" category as well when I hear advice about just letting my coach sit all winter. While it's obvious that both approaches can work - I think there are other factors that come into play as well - such as exercising your slide outs and leveling jacks - as well as what your plans for actually using your coach during the colder months may be.

Our practice is to visit the coach on the storage lot every 3-4 weeks. During each visit I start the coach engine - and let it run to temperature. Road conditions permitting - I'll take it out for a spin and drive it 20 or so miles.

Since our storage space is only a mile or so from the house - I'll swing past the coach early in the day and fire up the Aquahot and let the interior come up to temperature. Later in the day - my wife and I will return (usually with some sort of take-out dinner along with a little something to drink and a DVR movie). We then fire up the generator and let that run for couple of hours charging the batteries while we eat and enjoy the movie. It's not uncommon that we spend the night on the storage lot as a part of "coach day". The only thing we don't do is exercise any of the plumbing (although we will use the midship toilet (which has a ball valve and a direct dump into the black tank - using a little of the pink antifreeze to "flush" it). (We keep a couple gallons of the pink antifreeze sitting there for just that purpose).

We've yet to have a "spring time surprise" with any of the coach systems that worked when we parked it for the winter NOT working when we went to use it in the spring. I'd like to think that our practice of using it semi-regularly throughout the winter is at least part of the reason why we've been fortunate in that regard.

[rgvtexan]

I agree with Chuck. Fog before storage and let it be. I have cars and boats that spend a good part of their lives in storage. Some have been as old as me and are still running better than me!

[twinboat]

What would you fog a diesel with that won't burn off ?

[NHRA225]

Originally Posted by twinboat

What would you fog a diesel with that won't burn off ?

OP has a Gas Engine- That's what I responded to.
Now My Cummins 8.3 I do things a little differently. Before storage I do a complete Engine Service- Fill the Tank- Use Howels additive, plug it in and night night. When I go get it in Feb- I plug in the Engine heater for 3 hours --Disconnect the Fuel stop Solenoid and Crank the Engine over for 3 -15sec intervals to bring Oil pressue up- Plug in the Stop Solenoid and it fires right off--- Just Me ! The worst thing for any Engine that's been sitting is a cold Start .

[NHRA225]

Admin- please delete this post
For some reason it duplicated!

Thanks

[Unplanned Tourist]

Hmm, 1987, is that a carbureted motor? If so, be sure to use lots of fuel stabilizer and run it long enough to fill the carb. Gas/alcohol mixes out there are bad for plugging up carbs if left to sit long. Run it up to temperature until the exhaust stops vaporing, and is hot and dry every month, just like the generator that will have a carb too. Just my opinion, has worked for me for years. It also seems that every spring, I'm taking one of my buddies carbs off and cleaning it out because the generator won't run!

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Unless you can drive the rig you shouldn't start the engine at all.

There is a thread around here somewhere (or perhaps elsewhere) about "Warming up your engine" being bad for it.. As Mr. D said... Unless you plan on driving, getting it up to operating temp for at least 30 minutes.. Don't bother

Now I do run the Generator winter or summer for 1/2 hour at least under 1/2 load.. But even here I have a warning

First.. Yes, Uncover

Second: Winter: My RV is wired specifically for SPACE HEATERS, I added two 15/20 outlets, (These have "T" shaped neutral slots) both are wired one to a breaker with 12 ga wire properly bent around a screw.

Don't use Space heaters on high on standard RV outlets You may overload the connections.. Not good on many RV's.

But that's why I put in special outlets.. They work great, no hot wire smell.

[NHRA225]

I've been using the same process for 40 plus years of Fogging - gas engines and 16 yrs on my Cummins 8.3 on Priming the oil before a cold start . 217,000 miles and I leak test it every year and it's always at 5% or less .
As far as placing space heaters inside - well for me that's A No No !
Just me !


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[rgvtexan]

Originally Posted by twinboat

What would you fog a diesel with that won't burn off ?

Diesel Fuel! They are somewhat self fogging, Diesel does not wash the lube from the liners, it supplies it. IMHO

[NHRA225]

No need to Fog a Diesel !
You are correct !
Unless it sits for a very long period like 2 yrs or more .


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[twinboat]

Originally Posted by rgvtexan

Diesel Fuel! They are somewhat self fogging, Diesel does not wash the lube from the liners, it supplies it. IMHO

Diesels will burn and run on any combustible fluid you spray in.

I've started them with WD40. Some guys prefill the filters with ATF.

[biggcrisp]

I ran the big v10 and the little genny for an hour each -- over thanksgiving weekend and again last weekend. I'm still showing a full tank of gasoline. Next month I will do the same.

Heck, a guy needs a hobby.

[NHRA225]

Your right - ATF burns the carbon off the Pistons ! Your giving away your age ! lol !


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[gnorthga]

We use the aqua hot engine preheat if the weather is cold to get the oil good and warm before we crank.

always drive it somewhere ever 30 days