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RustyJC · 12-07-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monacoach

What about the problems from sitting idle with no lubrication? Is this the lesser evil of the two?

Yes.

Rusty

Monacoach · 12-07-2010, 01:15 PM

Rusty I read your earlier post and again based on all the input I will not be starting engine until feb 1st when we head south. At this point im simply curious as to what exactly the engine will endure in the next two months of sitting. Any scientists or chemists out there?

Midniteoyl · 12-07-2010, 06:47 PM

And this is the reason engines dont make it...

RustyJC · 12-07-2010, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midniteoyl

And this is the reason engines dont make it...

Sorry, but that's a little too cryptic for me. What reason are you referring to?

Rusty

palehorse89 · 12-08-2010, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monacoach

what about the problems from sitting idle with no lubrication? Is this the lesser evil of the two?

your oil leaves a film on the contact surface. Fogging oil does your valves and cylinders( FOR GAS ENGINES). What kind of storage conditions is your rig stored in that would bring all this concern of starting to rid the engine of moisture and relube the internals?
one example: a person that buys a left over rv or even a auto,it has been sitting for months at a time if not longer before starting....... just a thought. a left over coach with a genarator at a dealer that is 1 to 2 years old would have quite a bit of hours on it if the dealers that sells these units did this.

bldrbob · 12-08-2010, 06:41 AM

First experience with winterizing a diesel was with my boat. Found out you can't fog a diesel It just runs faster.
BOB

bachler · 12-08-2010, 07:58 AM

On the farm The tractors are put in storage in August/Sept. And not taken out till April/May. We had diesels withover 5000 hours on them; The combind is run once a year in July/August For 3/4 Weeks then put in storage. If you asked them abuot starting that $400,000.00, Machine up when it'not to be used They would laugh you out of the county;; That RV tech. That says you should start it is probley some young kid; Ask the man with Gray orno hair . He Knows. He has also paid the bill;;Life is good;;

LindyT · 12-08-2010, 08:25 AM

Which manual did you read that in? Cummins recommends not starting a Diesel engine, especially in cold climates, unless it's going to be operated under load. Some of the side-effects for doing so, specifically if you do not operate at fast idle:

Quote:

Fuel dilution of the lubricating oil
Carbon build-up in the cylinder
Cylinder head valve sticking
Reduced performance.

We're winter camping in a park due to unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances and there are a couple of guys that start their coaches once a week and just let them idle. I've pondered trying to educate them, but I've found that type of "help" is usually unwelcome.

Further, there's specific precautions that must be taken for operating a diesel engine in colder temperatures.

Here's a bulletin from Cummins - right from the horse's mouth.

Hope this helps.

Monacoach · 12-08-2010, 08:39 AM

Quote:

What kind of storage conditions is your rig stored in that would bring all this concern of starting to rid the engine of moisture and relube the internals?

My concern was sparked by what I read in my manual where it recommends to start all engines bi weekly. Rig is parked in backyard on a gravel driveway ( frozen gravel now).

Quote:

That RV tech. That says you should start it is probley some young kid

No tech told me anything, I read this in the manual. Maybe a kid wrote the manual.
Thanks guys.

Monacoach · 12-08-2010, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Which manual did you read that in?

It was the main manual that came with motorhome, not the engine manual.

Monacoach · 12-08-2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Here's a bulletin from Cummins - right from the horse's mouth.

Hope this helps.

Very informative thank you.

melvonnar · 12-08-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monacoach

My concern was sparked by what I read in my manual where it recommends to start all engines bi weekly. Rig is parked in backyard on a gravel driveway ( frozen gravel now).

No tech told me anything, I read this in the manual. Maybe a kid wrote the manual.
Thanks guys.

probably the same kid that come up with the idea that driveing across loose sand compacts it. (they closed part of a campground in Ocala national forest because the loose sand might be compacted)

Easyrider · 12-08-2010, 05:26 PM

We store ours inside an unheated building. We give it an oil change -engine and generator, gas stabilizer, winterize the plumbing, thorough cleaning, check tire air pressure, open the ceiling vents, and pull the batteries, which are then hooked up to battery tenders for the storage season. It then sets for about 5 months

and then we hook up the batteries and so far after 5 winters - the engine fires up as soon as I turn the key!

Romeo · 12-09-2010, 12:32 PM

Ok, how about leaving the engine heater on during storage?

The past two winters I have had the MH stored outdoors, covered, and plugged in to shore power with storage switches and battery disconnect all in off position, and engine heater turned on (not sure if it was actually on with disconnect off). The shore power keep the batteries charged.

This year I am in a non-heated garage. Have not yet connected to shore power... watching batteries to see when they start decreasing in voltage, since it is someone elses power that I would be using.