Diesel winter storage

I've been advised by Cummins to run the rig monthly long enough to bring it to temperature and also to run the genset with a load for enough tome to bring that to temp. This keeps the seals and bearings from drying or settling and perhaps beginning to leak. Only caveat was if the roads are covered with salt/slush, wait till they dry. Also they recommended making sure to buy from a high volume station so you get Winter blended fuel before the end of the season and during season you get fuel that is not sitting in a tank potentially becoming contaminated.

OPPS! Double Tap!

Jim Norman wrote:
I've been advised by Cummins to run the rig monthly long enough to bring it to temperature and also to run the genset with a load for enough tome to bring that to temp. This keeps the seals and bearings from drying or settling and perhaps beginning to leak. Only caveat was if the roads are covered with salt/slush, wait till they dry. Also they recommended making sure to buy from a high volume station so you get Winter blended fuel before the end of the season and during season you get fuel that is not sitting in a tank potentially becoming contaminated.

you were advised by CUMMINS or was it a person that works on/at cummins diesel motors? Cummins says not to IDLE engine seems odd CUMMINS would tell u to start the motor and let it run till its up to temperature Most Winter storage of diesel pushers is either in covered compounds or places of high snow values so driving such is out of the question
There is no way a Cummins sitting for 5 months dormant will ever ever do any harm no way no how in my opinion
As far as gen set goes they claim long inactivity can cause rust corrosion damages to the generater part of the onan

The statement Jim said was from Cummins COULD be correct. It IS correct if he said get the OIL up to operating temperature (which requires driving a minimum of 25 highway miles).

It would NOT be correct if he was just referring to coolant temperature.

If started, you need to get the OIL up to operating temperature to rid the crankcase of condensation. That will not happen except under load-- diesels are too efficient at idle/in neutral to get the oil up to temperature.

wolfe10 wrote:
...I would also add a BIOCIDE if storing for more than a few months. Biobor JF is a common brand and available at most marine stores, etc...

Agree.

If diesel is going to sit for a long time, a biocide is necessary. The stabilizers are okay...but the biocide will keep the stuff from growing in your tank.

Storage for us is always a full tank year round. Also Power Service clear diesel ( water remove all and tank cleaner). Biobore biocide. Winter I add Power Service cetane boost to stop from fuel jelling. I do run the generator monthly under load, all year.