Cummins Engine Start-up After Extended Storage

[buki]

It is this simple...
1. insert key
2. let air pressure build up.
3. shift into d
4. drive off and enjoy yourself.
5. be aware thaT the damage you do to your body by worrying about is FAR more serious than a drive on a sunny day.
6. that engine has no brain, no heart, no blood system, no digestive system and no memory at all.

It is simply an assemblage of metal, oil, fuel and rubber. It has no awareness of life span or illness. Just drive the hell out of it and be aware that should it go down...fixing it will cost FAR less than heart surgery or chemotherapy.
Just do it.

[Yukon Jack]

I want to express my thanks for everyone that comments on the wide variety of RV related topics as there are some excellent ideas that a person would likely otherwise never think of. These feedback communications make RVing much less stressfull and offers a great deal of assistance to those searching for help.

In a follow-up to my posted question, Cummins Start-Up After Extended Storage, I have did a great deal of searching the internet, especially any authorized Cummins documentation about this topic. It is apparent that this is a topic that Cummins does not desire to provide many details about other than the two basic statements I found.

A. Extended Shutdown Start Procedure – When starting an engine that has not been operated for more than 30 days:
1. Engine oil pressure must be indicated on gauge within 15 seconds after starting. If oil pressure does NOT register within 15 seconds, shut off engine immediately. If oil pressure is not registered after 15 seconds of cranking, follow the Troubleshooting Guidelines listed in the O&M manual for low oil pressure.
2. Idle engine for five minutes before operating under load.”

The second precaution that I found posted on a Cummins site may interest those folks who seem to downplay the importance of ‘dry’ engine starts, and felt that I am spending too much time worrying about an engine start-up procedure after an extended time of about 6 months.

B.Extended Shutdown Start Procedure - Whenever an engine has been inoperative for more than 30 days, Cummins recommends disconnecting the wire to the fuel shut-off valve and cranking the engine until oil pressure registers on the gauge before starting the engine. This practice will prevent "dry starts" and allow oil to bearings and shafts prior to starting the engine. A toggle switch can be wired into the starting system for this.

As a result of this latest start-up procedure is what prompted me to post a question about extended storage start-up procedures and the possibility of using a method to crank the engine without having to disconnect any fuel shut-off solenoid wiring. I appreciate the response from EngineerMike because he brought up an area of concern that I had not thought about, pressurizing the fuel system with the lift pump prior to cranking the engine.

As everyone likely knows, these are very expensive engines and service is extremely expensive, so for that reason, I want to do everyting possible to minimize my total cost of ownership of my RV.

Thanks for the feedback and Good Luck

Yukon Jack