New to Diesel

[Adam1219]

What is considered storage for a diesel engine? I am new to the diesel, only owned gas. I use it once every three months until I retire. I drive it and run the generator once a month.

1. Should I add any fuel additive or not?
2. Does it matter if the fuel tank is not full when I leave it for the 3 months? what about the DEF level?

Thoughts.....
TIA

[KenZ71]

This comes up every now & then.

Fuel tank should be as close to full as practical. A full tank is less likely to build up water condensation.

Most say if the engine is started it should be run upto operating temp via a highway drive of 30 miles or more. Otherwise let it sit.

[JBDISCOVERY]

Top out the fuel tank and add additives to prevent unwanted growths
in the tank and fuel system. Cheap insurance.
Just listened to a couple who where/are new to DP's.
They bought a coach that had sat for many month.
The condensation in the tank and the system cost them
$5,770 to get the engine to run.
However the engine still had problems with the injectors that
they did not repair do to the cost.
Take note.
JimB
DEF, same story. Top off the tank.

[Adam1219]

Originally Posted by KenZ71

This comes up every now & then.

Fuel tank should be as close to full as practical. A full tank is less likely to build up water condensation.

Most say if the engine is started it should be run upto operating temp via a highway drive of 30 miles or more. Otherwise let it sit.

So 30 miles once a month and fuel topped as much as possible?

[tom chelbana]

Cummins has been very clear they don't recommend any additives unless there is a issue like algae in the fuel system.

[96 Wideglide]

Congrats on the new coach!!

It will have a primary fuel filter / water separator. After your first run after storage, hold a glass jar under it, and drain about a cup into it. Let it settle for 10min or so, and any water should be under the fuel. I'm going to say you will have none!
A lot of people on this forum are believers of fuel tanks filling up with condensation from sitting.
I'm not one of them !

[pasdad1]

Put this in the diesel tank every fill up. Cheap insurance. You don’t want to have nasty stuff grow in the fuel.

[dmctlc]

Originally Posted by tom chelbana

Cummins has been very clear they don't recommend any additives unless there is a issue like algae in the fuel system.

Actually that's not quiet correct
"May 10, 2017 · In a historic industry move, Cummins Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of diesel engines, (NYSE:CMI) now officially endorses and recommends two Power Service products – Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost and Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost – for use in diesel engines. The announcement comes after significant internal testing concluded both products meet Cummins® requirements, becoming the first fuel additive products that Cummins Inc. has ever officially recommended in the marketplace."
Now I'm sure what the payback or even if Cummins own all or part of Company but they do recommend this additive. Also, I've been to a local Cummins dealer who sells an entire line of Power Service diesel additives. I add Diesel Kleen's Power Service & Cetane Boost since what I've read in This and the Diesel Forum's many people feel it makes a difference. IMHO it's not that much money to make things better given the unknown state some diesel fuel and it's storage when buying on the road.

[vito.a]

Congrats on the new coach!
If only three months, I would only run the generator (under load) monthly.
The big engine will be just fine sitting for three months. I would add Diesel Kleen or Lucas fuel treatment to the main tank.

[Winemaker2]

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

Congrats on the new coach!!

It will have a primary fuel filter / water separator. After your first run after storage, hold a glass jar under it, and drain about a cup into it. Let it settle for 10min or so, and any water should be under the fuel. I'm going to say you will have none!
A lot of people on this forum are believers of fuel tanks filling up with condensation from sitting.
I'm not one of them !

I'm with you 96...
My boat sits for about 6 mos and I see no water in the separator when I first run it in the spring.
I do believe it makes a difference if you were in FL or the Pacific NW with frequent rain & hi humidty. I'm in NE with cold dry winters.
My logic is a tank sucks in air only as it cools... and there is a delay due to the thermal mass. When coldest it is driest (at least where I am)
Higher humidity when its warmest but thats when it is expanding and air escaping... keeping humid out.
Thats my story and I'm sticking to it unless I hear a better theory?

[Adam1219]

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

Congrats on the new coach!!

It will have a primary fuel filter / water separator. After your first run after storage, hold a glass jar under it, and drain about a cup into it. Let it settle for 10min or so, and any water should be under the fuel. I'm going to say you will have none!
A lot of people on this forum are believers of fuel tanks filling up with condensation from sitting.
I'm not one of them !

I'm still learning the parts so I have to find that. I was shown the small 2 inch clear cylinder that has a colored measuring label and told to press it once or twice every now and then. Yes, that's what I was told. I dont know what it is or why I'm do it. I need to learn all of these parts and maintenance schedules. Maybe I should drive it to Cummins and say, "show me". lol

[CountryFit]

Originally Posted by Adam1219

I'm still learning the parts so I have to find that. I was shown the small 2 inch clear cylinder that has a colored measuring label and told to press it once or twice every now and then. Yes, that's what I was told. I dont know what it is or why I'm do it. I need to learn all of these parts and maintenance schedules. Maybe I should drive it to Cummins and say, "show me". lol

Are you talking about air filter minder like this?

[Adam1219]

Originally Posted by CountryFit

Are you talking about air filter minder like this?

Yes

[CountryFit]

The air minder measures the resistence of the air filter. See if this YT would help you on the basics -

https://youtu.be/cHRNtYBgrf4