Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: short duration engine running (Read 935 times) previous topic - next topic

short duration engine running

I've had my coach close to a year and have only made two trips to the dam campground(dale hollow) On limited income. I've read "if you don't have time to drive at least 25mi., don't bother to start the engine(due to not getting hot enough to boil water out of oil?). Is it an unforgivable sin to start it once in a while for just enough time to assure myself that it might actually run, should I want to take it on another trip? This coach is NOT new - do not know how PO's have treated it....payday coming up next week!

Jim
(I have a '69 & a '78 TRAVCO that I know have been fired up thru the years numerous times and they still go where ever....)
'92 Grand Villa 36' w/8.3Cummins mechanical
ORED
Build#4062

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #1 –
Jim,

Kind of a question where "best practices" may give way to "what I got away with".

Certainly a time or two is not critical to the engine.  But repeated no load running WILL put moisture (read water) in the crankcase.

Read this as you need to take it out to play more.  And when not, just leave it off.  That Cummins will start.  If that is the concern, then monitor chassis battery voltage (assume you have some means of keeping the chassis batteries charged!).
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #2 –
When we first bought this coach, I had the same question. Called the CAT dealer and was suggested to start the coach up for 10 minutes every two weeks. I happened to post that info on this forum and Mr. Wolfe threatened to drive out here and let the air out of my tires if I took CATs suggestion. Guess who I trusted most?  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #3 –
Mike,

Just to be clear, while a Bubba in a dealership may recommend  that, neither Caterpillar nor Cummins corporate people/engineers do.

Sometimes listening to Bubba is like "I read it on the internet, it MUST be true".
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #4 –
Jim,

You really know how to stir things up.  ;)  In the past, this subject has produced some "heated" discussions.  Seems everybody has a opinion, and some will defend them vigorously.  Here is one older thread (which remained civil):

Idle just to lubricate engine or other reasons?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #5 –
Maybe you could go out every 3 or 4 weeks on a Sunday morning when it's quiet out there and drive out 15 or 20 minutes then return. The whole coach needs exercise, not just the engine.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #6 –
I learned something new today.  Even though I use mine frequently I like to start it once a week and let it warm up for about 15 minutes when not in use.  I guess I will let it sit or take it out and exercise it completely from now on. Thank for the info.

John
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #7 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Read this as you need to take it out to play more.  And when not, just leave it off.  That Cummins will start.  If that is the concern, then monitor chassis battery voltage (assume you have some means of keeping the chassis batteries charged!).

I completely agree. Currently we frequently need to let ours sit unused for two months or more at a time. When we are able to travel, it immediately starts and seems to have no complaints about being left alone.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #8 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Mike,

Just to be clear, while a Bubba in a dealership may recommend  that, neither Caterpillar nor Cummins corporate people/engineers do.

Sometimes listening to Bubba is like "I read it on the internet, it MUST be true".
Bojour! I haven't
 been doing that 'cause I've read Bretts thoughts on the matter.... Had trouble with the fuel shutoff a while back(as reported on here). Guess I will just satisfy myself with having my nephew switch the key on once in a while while I eyeball the solenoid...
Jim
'92 Grand Villa 36' w/8.3Cummins mechanical
ORED
Build#4062

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #9 –
If you are worried about the fuel shutoff, just replace it.  The new ones are a lot stronger and better built.  See comp photo when I replaced ours:

OOPS - Sorry - I'm leading this thread off topic - ignore what I just said. 
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #10 –
Quote from: mike leary –
When we first bought this coach, I had the same question. Called the CAT dealer and was suggested to start the coach up for 10 minutes every two weeks. I happened to post that info on this forum and Mr. Wolfe threatened to drive out here and let the air out of my tires if I took CATs suggestion. Guess who I trusted most?  ^.^d
I would like to associate myself with the Cat guy, After 50 + yrs around, under and inside diesels from 1 lung Petters to 16v Cummins. I fire mine once a month for 15 mins also cycle my trans. (4 speed) to stop drying out as old motors will do. Cycling the  trans keeps the clutch packs from drying and crumbling.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #11 –
I believe where the coach is located and the humidity factor weighs heavily on this conversation. In the San Fernando Valley L.A. area algae is never a problem in fuel tanks. I have a diesel welder with 20 year old fuel in it and it will start every time I need it. None of my Cat engines ever had any signs of rust on the rockers nor my International or Cummins. Other areas might have a greater moisture risk and not starting for short times would cause problems.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #12 –
I'm not too scared of doing this, but I tend to try to limit the times I do it to times that are a couple days/weeks before a long trip.  Generally though, if I am going to start the coach, I will run it at high idle until the coolant temp reaches 180F.  I figure that is probably enough.

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #13 –
 The coach was built to be used as intended.  That is all 100% of every component in that motorhome.  I exercise every component of the motorhome every 30 days as intended so that when I need it to go it is in ready condition.

 Running all the components every 30 days ensures that if something goes caput you will find out before you need to leave for the next trip.

 Running  Engine, transmission, brakes, to full operating temperatures is the only way to exercise the coach.

 I've spent a Large sum of money to repair the dash a/c to new condition. For this reason every 30 days I make sure the AC compressor is run for at least the 30 minutes it takes me to do the  exercise routine.

 Opinions on this topic will vary.  But for me it is not a matter of opinion but a matter of good practice as Brett has to repeatedly state.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #14 –
Peter,

Didn't you publish a nice "Exercise Routine" check list one time?  I think I have a hard copy of it in our coach.  Still have the link?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #15 –
Indeed I did.  Anyone can find it under my profile Media tab.  Perhaps a Moderator can make it more easily available to all by placing it in a more meaningful area of the forum.

(edit) I did find the fioe under the Forum Media Tab.  So anyone can take this file in Word format and modify it for their own use after downloading.  I will upload a pdf version so if someone does not have or use MS Word they too can read these procedures.

(2nd edit) Tried to upload the pdf file to the Media/Files section but can't see an upload feature...Well, I tried. Maybe a moderator can do that for me.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #16 –
(edit) I did find the file under the Forum Media Tab.  So anyone can take this file in Word format and modify it for their own use after downloading.  I will upload a pdf version so if someone does not have or use MS Word they too can read these procedures.

(2nd edit) Tried to upload the pdf file to the Media/Files section but can't see an upload feature...Well, I tried. Maybe a moderator can do that for me.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #17 –
I know this is not the same. But, we had a single engine diesel Trawler boat. We traveled long distances every other year or so during the 12 years of ownership. We put 3,000 hours on the engine. We never started the engine during the periods we did not go cruising. Some times it was more than a year. Each time we started the engine we left on a year long cruise. Never any issues with the engine. It was a 160 HP inline six cylinder turbo charged Ford Lehman.
Larry
Larry and Terry
Ex 2004 U270 36'
 

Re: short duration engine running

Reply #18 –
Quote from: ltg –
I know this is not the same.  Some times it was more than a year. Each time we started the engine we left on a year long cruise. Never any issues with the engine.
It is the same, and a good point. We had two Airstreams with Isuzu "boat  anchor" engines. When I was working, they'd sit and sit. Every time, they'd start and run like bandits. However, when they got fired, they did high miles, not a weekend "warm-up". Never added anything, even up in Seattle. I'm going to have service shortly, and it will be interesting to see the condition of the filters on this dear. Something about "additives" bothers me, as we never used them on the tug boats.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'