To run engine or not during storage

[Romeo]

Another question that I am curious about.

I buy into the "... do not start during storage..." AND the "do not idle more that x number of minutes...".

So, why do truckers idle their rigs... dont they idle them for long periods while sleeping in truck stops. The truck stop I stopped in last summer was so noisy with idling trucks that I had to find another place to spend the night... casino.

[Route 66]

Those that don't own the truck don't have to pay the fuel and repair bills.

Some run the engine for heat or air conditioning.

Doesn't make it right though.

[RustyJC]

Generally, depending on the season, to either stay warm or cool in the sleeper. Modern trucks will often have APUs (small auxiliary power units - think small Kubota or Yanmar diesels) to run the heat or A/C, so idling is no longer necessary and is, in fact, banned beyond X minutes in many localities for air pollution reasons.

Rusty

[sknight]

And an idling truck has been run on the highway under a load, idled to keep the driver warm or cool, then driven under a load which clears out the excess fuel contaminates.

Different scenario.

[melvonnar]

Originally Posted by sknight

And an idling truck has been run on the highway under a load, idled to keep the driver warm or cool, then driven under a load which clears out the excess fuel contaminates.

Different scenario.

most 18 wheel trucks have an idle up mode, so the motor is realy not idleing.

[sknight]

Originally Posted by robert h

most 18 wheel trucks have an idle up mode, so the motor is realy not idleing.

And my Dad had an adjustable rod that held the throttle, his truck was old though.

[Pairajays]

So, what did we learn from this discussion? Do we run the Engine and generator periodically while in storage or just let it sit? I would guess we learned nothing. Those who believe you should run and those who believe other wise will continue to do as they have done. I believe there is a distinction between "operating" and "storing" and should be treated differently.

By the way, should the engines be treated the same in cold and warm weather?

JimE



Jim E

[AZgl1500]

Originally Posted by Monacoach

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

Definitely yes.

I will not start my diesel truck unless it can "go somewhere" and stay good and hot for 20 or 30 minutes. I much prefer to have it running a minimum of 30 minutes to be sure the tranny gets got and drives all the moisture out of it too.

It has sat for 4 months in a row at times. Once it sat for 8 months after I had a bad accident. I just kept a battery tender on it. It fired right up just like it always does by letting the electric fuel pump run about 3 times for 20 seconds before I allowed the engine to crank over.

The auto tranny though was a different story. All of the oil drained down, and I had to allow the engine to run for about 10 minutes, and occasionally shift from neutral to reverse, back to neutral, then drive. did that about 4 times to be sure oil was every where it needed to be.

All was well though. took it out on the highway and ran it for an hour.

[Norm4015]

Originally Posted by Pairajays

So, what did we learn from this discussion? Do we run the Engine and generator periodically while in storage or just let it sit? I would guess we learned nothing. Those who believe you should run and those who believe other wise will continue to do as they have done. I believe there is a distinction between "operating" and "storing" and should be treated differently.

By the way, should the engines be treated the same in cold and warm weather?

JimE

I have talked to both Cummins tech support and Onan tech support. I prefer to do what they told me instead of what someones uncle did with his bulldozer in the 1970s.

Cummins told me DO Not Start The Engine unless I drive it at least 30 miles and get it to operation temperture and keep the temperature there several minutes.

Onan told me to Start The Generator once a month and run it 30 minutes under at least half-load.

It doesn't matter if it is -10 degrees or 100 degrees. Follow the above procedures.

[RustyJC]

Originally Posted by Norm4015

Cummins told me DO Not Start The Engine unless I drive it at least 30 miles and get it to operation temperture and keep the temperature there several minutes.

Onan told me to Start The Generator once a month and run it 30 minutes under at least half-load.

It doesn't matter if it is -10 degrees or 100 degrees. Follow the above procedures.

That's sound advice and makes perfect sense.

Rusty

[HD4Mark]

I got the same info from a Cummins tech on the phone and Onan at a factory authorized shop. Funny that the reason for each was the same. Don't start the engine if it will not get to operating temp due to condensation and start the generator to get it warm enough to dry out condensation.

[TXiceman]

Originally Posted by Norm4015

I have talked to both Cummins tech support and Onan tech support. I prefer to do what they told me instead of what someones uncle did with his bulldozer in the 1970s.

Cummins told me DO Not Start The Engine unless I drive it at least 30 miles and get it to operation temperture and keep the temperature there several minutes.

Onan told me to Start The Generator once a month and run it 30 minutes under at least half-load.

It doesn't matter if it is -10 degrees or 100 degrees. Follow the above procedures.

I think that is what I said pages ago.....

Like Rusty, I was raises around engines.

ken

[melvonnar]

The mind is like a togga switch; two positions, on or off,

[Romeo]

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

This question got buried and never addressed, so I am reposting.

This, of course, only applies only when plugged into shore power.