Truck sits for days good or bad

[Sixspeed]

I don't drive my truck everyday sometimes it will sit for over a week. I just use it to hall my trailer on weekends. So when I do use it I run it hard. Can't let those PSD or Duralacks beat me to the top of the hill. Anyway what I was wondering is it bad to let a diesel sit that long without being driven.

 

[Archive]

I can't imagine sitting for five or six days doing any harm at all. Just because they are made to run forever doesn't mean ya have to!



That is not nearly long enough to allow seals do dry out.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Sixspeed, my Dad's '97 sits for weeks at a time (personally wouldn't be able to tolerate the withdrawal ) and has had no problems what so ever.

 

[brobeson]

Reqular Maintanance

Remember those oil changes, and most other maintenance is due every X-many miles or X-many months, which ever comes first.



The contaminants in the oil can and do harm (rust, varnish, etc. ), so change that oil every 6 months or so, even if you have not put very many miles on the truck!



Bob

 

[drag racer]

mine sometimes goes months without being started - no problem at all.

 

[Gizmo 007]

We had an old Mack 237 Diesel (18 wheeler) engine set up for four YEARS. Checked the oil. stuck a fuel line in a 5 gallon bucket of diesel, and primed the fuel pump. It fired right up. These diesels can last virtually forever setting up. Just keep good oil in it.



If your really worried about it, go out and start it once a week, just to keep the batteries up, and hear that Cummins RATTLE

 

[hammong]

Biggest problem with engines setting a long time unused is that the "dry" parts of the engine on the inside can rust and/or corrode if not coated periodically with oil. With engines that are "stored" for years on end, you need to turn them over manually (by the crank) and spray the cylinders down with oil just to make sure everything stays clean.



Oil should be changed every 6-9 months, regardless of how many miles you may have driven.



You should "start" your engine at least once a month for 5 minutes as a preventative measure. Keeps the bearings, cylinders, and head adequately lubricated and coated with oil.



Greg

 

[Mad Bomber]

I couldn't let it set to long, [1day] just love noise and sound of cummin down road

 

[Sky]

Originally posted by drag racer

mine sometimes goes months without being started - no problem at all.

Thats just plain old wrong!

 

[jjdiesel]

This is not a mechanical issue but a moral one... . How could a person POSSIBLY let a Cummins sit neglected for any amount of time? Somethin' just not right with that.

 

[Cobra]

sixspeed,



I bought my 01. 5 RAM 2500 in Dec. I bought it for the sole purpose of hauling a slidein camper. I intended for it to sit in the garage most of the time. I never owned a diesel before and after two trips to Fla. I just can;t wait to drive the magnificent vehicle. So mine doesen't sit, but I did ask many others about that, and the answers I got were all positive. I agree with all the other threads about oil changes and starting it. But hey, once you start it you gotta go somewhere. Happy trails to ya.

 

[JSoloman]

I'm with Cobra. Mine sits for weeks in the garage and when I pull it out, its to pull the trailer. Every 3-4 months, never mind the mileage (which ain't much), the oil gets changed and I'm under way again. The truck is mainly for pulling the trailer and when the weather is nice, to cruise in and look sweet. The truck will be be fine and won't let ya down!



Not many of us 4x4 ladies out there, but I'm proud of my ride!!!

 

[RAMalama]

Deployable Military

My '95 CTD sat for so long in six years it only had 70k miles. When I did drive it, it towed a 14. 5k 5er. My truck sat for months! Up to 5 or 6 sometimes. I was out to sea quite a bit. My darn truck would start when I returned just like I parked it the day before! Amazing! Just remember if you start it for periodical reasons be sure and drive it and bring it up to temp. Starting it with out warming it up only causes condensation. When the oil, exhaust piping and coolant, are not allow to come up to temp, the hot exhaust gases and cylinder temps will cause water to condensate against the cooler parts. This is why short city driving rusts out exhaust and ruins engine oil sooner that fwy driving.

My . 02 - Ian.

 

[drag racer]

Sky,



I appreciate the playful jab.



I too use my truck strictly for pleasure, which is towing my racing operation, and occasional weekend cruising.



Don't get me wrong, I would love to drive it everyday, but I commute 80+ miles per day, and there no way I'm racking up those kind of miles and asociated wear & tear on my rig (at least not until it's closer to being paid off!) just to go to and from work.



Now for the kicker... . (please go easy on me)... my rig is 1 year and 10 months old, and has a whopping 4,100 miles on the odometer.