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garrydt · 06-05-2012, 04:45 PM

Hello everyone, I have a question about extended stays at an rv park.
We always had TT's and a gas class C. Recently we bought a 1997 Beaver Monterey motor coach 36' with the CAT 3126B engine. There was no maintenance records so we replaced all the batteries and had the oil and filters changed and a lube job done along with a full service check of the chasis. Then had the HD leveling system serviced and all the solinode's relpaced. The coach only has 58K on it and we wanted a satified mind before we took off in it ( we are full time RVr's ) left Glendale, AZ and drove up to Parker AZ to spend some time on the river before going to Idaho. Getting to Parker towing a Jeep Wrangler no problems droped out of 6th one time, and the MAG unit showed we got 9.7 mpg.. So my question is while parked for about 2 months do I have to do anything like start the diesel every once in awhile and let it get up to temp? I have seen some coaches sitting for months and then the owner just start up and drive away.
Thank you for any replies..

Garry

Jim_HiTek · 06-05-2012, 04:56 PM

Most old timers with diesel experience told me that, 'No', you don't need to start and run much when it's parked. What they also said is that it's bad for the engine to start it, let it run, and shut it down. You are encouraged either let it sit and never start it or to drive at least until the engine is up to temp...which also gets the tranni up to temp.

Personally, I've let it sit for 10 months at a time and it starts right up. But I also put in a fuel stabilizer and anti-fungal for a long stop over.

garrydt · 06-05-2012, 05:04 PM

Thank you for the reply,I will get some fuel stabilizer and anti-fungal.

Jim_HiTek · 06-05-2012, 05:10 PM

You could just fill the tank before parking too. For a short stay of 2 months, stabilizer probably not needed.

garrydt · 06-05-2012, 06:12 PM

Thanks for the info

ronspradley · 06-05-2012, 09:59 PM

My diesel if a 1993 B5.9 Cummins and it has no electronics and no emissions requirements like the newer diesel engines. I use a synthetic oil (Amsoil Diesel/Marine 15/40) that has rust inhibitors in it. Have read that diesels do not want to be started unless you are ready to run. Hope that helps.

ronspradley

BCooke · 06-06-2012, 09:11 AM

Your tires will hate you a lot more than the engine, sitting.

Full.Monte · 06-07-2012, 07:53 AM

One reason it's bad to let a diesel idle is that it will never get up to operating temperature. They have to be under load to reach operating temp.

njs42 · 06-07-2012, 09:04 AM

I put stabil in and run the generator to get the stabilized fuel in those lines when I sit for that long. Some places I stay frown on running the generator.

deandec · 06-07-2012, 04:41 PM

For that short of a period, I would only remember to run the generator with the AC running on your next road trip. That exercises the power generation system.