Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How long would you let your truck sit w/ out running it?

[CRSmith]

I usually drive my truck once a week and get it up to operating temperature to burn off all the condensation in the oil. What do you think the max time to let it sit on a regular basis would be?

 

[TowPro]

Mine sits for 2-3 weeks at times. Some times I start it just to move it, or take out the trash or something stuped like that. Now its just sitting there with the slide in camper loaded, waiting for next weekend. But when I do use it, its for hours at a time loaded with the slide-in or the 5th wheel.

Originally posted by reduaram

I usually drive my truck once a week and get it up to operating temperature to burn off all the condensation in the oil. What do you think the max time to let it sit on a regular basis would be?

 

[TomGolden]

When I first bought mine, my dad and I drove it to northern Wyoming on an Elk hunting trip. It sat for 33 days in -20*F weather from mid October through Thanksgiving. I started the engine and let it idle for 10 minutes every week, but didn't actually drive the truck. On the day we loaded up to drive home, it wouldn't fire off I tried cranking it every 30 minutes or so, and finally at about 3:00 PM it warmed up enough to start.



Other than that time, I drive it on a daily basis. It sat at the airport for 9 days a couple weeks ago while I was back east on vacation, but in 95+* weather all that time, it had no problems when I got back to it.



Tom

 

[RowJ]

Assuming you are not using it at all for an extended period, I think driving once a week is excellent preventative maintenance. As for "burning off all the condensation in the oil" that won't happen unless you get your oil a lot hotter than normal-and you don't want to go there. Primary concern is lubrication and coating internal engine parts. So, when you drive it-best to get on highway for at least 10-15 min. Keep your fuel tank topped off (to prevent condensation) and look into Fuel Conditioner to prevent fuel deterioration; diesel fuel can start to break down causing gum and lacquer in 4-6 months. Change oil at least @ 6 months to handle condensation and acid formations in crankcase.

RJ

 

[Crowhurst]

I have one diesel truck in the UK, and one in the USA. Each one is left for 6 months at a time. My boat inboard diesel engine is left for 7 months each year. I plug the batteries into an " intelligent battery mantainer", which keeps the batteries topped up from the mains electricity without overcharging them. They cost about $30, and I have three of them. I run the engines hard to get the oil hot, top up the diesel tank and add a special conditioner to prevent algae growth, change the engine oil and filter, lube the zerks, inflate the tires to maximum, fill the screen washers with extra strong anti-freeze screenwash fluid, and keep the vehicles under cover, when possible. They've started first turn of the key for the past 12 years. That's one of the benefits of the diesel engine, with no plugs, points, plug-leads etc, to suffer from damp, and the lubricating effect of the diesel fuel. Nick.

 

[RowJ]

Nick

Sound like you have a system that works!

Just wanted to add a technical point - under the catagory of "for those who like to know".

If you keep your fuel tank full-you should never have an algae problem and not need an algeacide. Algae can only live with air & water. Water usually gets into tank from water condensing out of air in tank. Algae form & live in the boundry layer between H2O on bottom of fuel tank and diesel fuel (or gas) on top. Since H20 & fuel don't mix, there is always enough air between the two to support algae growth. I bring this up because most true algae treatments (for fuel) are expensive and IMHO a fuel stabilizer is far more important. After 6 months storage I would be reluctant to use the fuel in my tank (without having treated it) and draining is a real pain.

RJ

 

[drag racer]

mine has sat for months at a time between uses, and have never had any problems, nor do I do anything special except use fuel treatments religiously; of course, I live in a hot, dry climate, so I'm sure that helps some...

 

[OTRPU]

Don't let mine sit longer than 8 hours, DOT changing the rules first next year so it will sit longer after this.



Be Safe,

Steve J.



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