Help - Have not driven my 2006 in over 4 months...

[CSalp]

I have a 2006 3500 quadcab 4x4, SRW, only about 12K miles on it.



Due largely to "circumstances" [new job; an inordinate amount of work-related travel] as well as poor planning on my part, I simply have not driven the vehicle in over 4 months.



I aim to take her back on the road later this week.



My question: what, if any, measures should I take (other than plugging the vehicle in) before starting and taking her back out for the first time in a few months? The vehicle had a nearly full tank of fuel during the time it was parked.



This vehicle is essentially a fishing/kayaking/beach driving vehicle for me. Starting in 3 or 4 weeks, the vehicle WILL start getting steady use again...



Many thanks,



Chris

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I would pull Fuse 9 out of your panel then crank it for several seconds to circulate some oil (it causes your truck to crank but not fire) then put it back in and start it up.

 

[bnbrown]

I just started my '99 back up after 8 months... if it were me I would change the oil, check all the fluids, give the batts a good charge, I had 8 month old fuel in it, so I tossed in some conditioner and topped the tank with fresh... (wont mention that after that I fired it up, hooked up to my trailer and proceeded to run it 1200 miles)

 

[mberry]

I would pull Fuse 9 out of your panel then crank it for several seconds to circulate some oil (it causes your truck to crank but not fire) then put it back in and start it up.

I would also let it idle a good 5 minutes before trying to move it while checking things in the engine bay for leaks and anything out of the ordinary. I would also check your intake system for any nests that may have been built in it. Once you're ready to move, spend a minute doing a few figure 8's to redistribute the differential fluid to the bearings at the ends of the axles. They haven't had oil on them in 4 months + either, just like the engine. Also, if it's an automatic trans, let it idle in neutral to circulate the fluid better.

 

[Grizzly]

In addition to everything already mentioned, check air pressure on the tires including the spare.

 

[betterthanstock]

If you or a friend have a battery charger, hook it up for a few hours. It may not even start after 4 months, and if it does, the alternator will have a really hard time charging 2 nearly dead batteries.

If the two "eyes" are not green, you should not try starting it before hooking up a charger.

 

[klenger]

Other than making sure the batteries are charged, I'd just turn the key and start it up. 4 months isn't all that long.

 

[JCasper]

Other than making sure the batteries are charged, I'd just turn the key and start it up. 4 months isn't all that long.

That's what I was thinking.



I have a 67 Buick that sits for that long easily during the winter.



It doesn't have any issues starting after that much time.

 

[Andy Morrison]

Just crank it up let it build oil pressure and let'er rip.

 

[DWeiler]

No problems here with my second genner,although i fired it up once since November,i decided to take her for a rip last weekend since sitting in the garage so long---no problem/ran great and fired up right away.

 

[Bob V]

I recommend NOT idling. You will need lots of oil moving around to get oil to the cam lobe, that is the most critical part of a new engine or one that has sat for a period of time. Start it up normal and as soon as you see oil pressure run it up to about 1500 for a few minutes. Then take it for a long drive to get the oil moving in everything else. You can pull the fuse if you want, it won't hurt, but for four months I don't think that it is necessary.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Other than making sure the batteries are charged, I'd just turn the key and start it up. 4 months isn't all that long.

I read someplace where Cummins suggested extended cranking after sitting more than a couple months without starting up to get the oil going first, but just cranking up probably won't hurt it to speak of. I agree with Bob, run the RPM up once you get oil pressure.

 

[JCasper]

I recommend NOT idling. You will need lots of oil moving around to get oil to the cam lobe, that is the most critical part of a new engine or one that has sat for a period of time. Start it up normal and as soon as you see oil pressure run it up to about 1500 for a few minutes. Then take it for a long drive to get the oil moving in everything else. You can pull the fuse if you want, it won’t hurt, but for four months I don't think that it is necessary.

I love the fast idle option. It would be great in a case like this.

 

[LRutigliano]

CSalp



I have an '03 with 14,700 miles. I drove it 6700 miles the first year I owned it and then got lucky and had an '86 Camry in perfect condition fall in my lap for $500. I've been using that as a daily driver every since. I put 2500, 1000, 1500 and 3000 miles in the following years on the truck.



I don't do anything special at all. I store the truck in the garage and when I need it, I start w/o any fuss and drive like its stolen after its warmed up.



When we got the 2006 Cougar 5th wheel, I got the "bombing" bug because I felt I didn't have enough power to get over any mountain passes and have been enjoying every second of hod rodding the truck.



Everyone on this site has been real helpful with my questions and concerns.



Good luck, but really I think you are fine for not starting in 4months or even longer. I would definately not hook any kind of trickle charger to the truck w/o disconnecting/removing the batteries from the truck... sulfuric acid gasses getting on the engine components and potential frying of the ECU or other electrical stuff.



Louis