Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Need help putting my truck into stg

[BoostIsGood]

I am going to put my truck away for the winter and drive the K5, so I could use a few tips on how to store my truck. I am going to change the oil and coolant.



Do I just fill the tank with winter fuel and forget about it, or is there some additive or stabilizer I need to add to the fuel.



Thanks

 

[BoostIsGood]

Anyone?



Thanks

 

[BKenny]

I would add some kind of fuel treatment to keep the diesel from gelling or algee (im not sure how to spell it) .

 

[Lsfarm]

Storage

I would fill the fuel tank, you can add some additive if you want. I would disconnect the batteries, and clean the tops of the batteries as clean as you can. Dirt on the battery top slowly discharges them. I would put a charger on the batteries every month, batteries don't like to sit and not be used.



Is the truck going to be stored inside or outside?? If outside, give it a coat of wax.



If we get lucky and have a few warm dry days during this winter I would take it for a drive just to circulate the lubricants. If you can plug it in and warm it up prior to starting after a long sit, this will hopefully reduce the wear from the start after a long drain-down period. Make sure to get it fully up to temps for 15-20 min if you do drive it, this burns/boils off contaminants in the oil from sitting and short runs.



Hope this helps. Greg L

 

[BoostIsGood]

Thanks for the replies. It will be in the garage and I will be putting a charger on it, and the block heater works because I have been using it the last two weeks.



Can I just use Sta-Bil in the tank, it does say on the label it is ok for diesels. I didnt think it would do anything for algae though. Any suggestions for a good additive would be appreciated.

 

[IMunro]

Bio-Bor is what I use in the boat tanks during the winter. It is made by Racor, I believe. Supposed to stop the formation of algae at the junction of any water and the fuel. Most important to be sure the tank is full of fuel, as it is a partially full tanke where the condensation occurs and causes water in the fuel. I cannot comment on whether you should use winter fuel, or not. Other than to say if it is in a heated garage then probably just regular fuel as I assume you will not start it up until the spring. Unless you can do as suggested above, and go for a longish drive, I wouldn't start it up at all. You are just going to give yourself more "dry starts".



You might also consider putting it on blocks or jack-stands to get the weight off the tires and springs.



On start-up, in the Spring, you might consider cranking it for a while to get the oil circulating, and the pressure up, before actually starting it. That would entail activating the fuel cut-off solenoid for the duration of the cranking. I don't know how you would do that on your truck, I have a momentary switch on the dash on the boat, so it is easy. Maybe, over the winter, you can find out how to do that. Perhaps there is a lever that someone can hold over while you crank?



Good luck,



Ian