Winter Storage - To Run or NOT to Run

[Mike Groves]

I suppose this message is mainly intended for Dave Atherton given his former profession.

Unlike a lot of other owners here I don't get to run my coach as much and do store it much of the time.  Summer runs are more frequent so I am not too concerned about the engine sitting at that time of year.  Rather my question is for the winter time when my coach is stored under roof cover at a storage lot from typically early October to April.

My practice currently is to visit the coach once a month at which time I run the generator for a couple of hours.  This activity recharges the batteries in addition to "exercising" the generator.  What "many" say not to do is not to run the CAT C12 as it is more detrimental to it to run it for a short period than simply to leave it in hibernation.  I don't take any special precautions with the engine during this time but for the last two winters have simply left it alone.

For Dave mainly, if I did start it at least once every other month, and ran it to 100 degrees or perhaps you know of a better temperature, does it really harm the engine to do this rather than to simply leave it alone during these 6 months of storage? 

I hesitate to take it on a run as it is typically myself alone going down to it, and it is difficult to park it by myself which would of course be necessary if I took it out.  Rather than do that, therefore, could I start it, wait for the idle to drop, then raise the idle to a certain number and let it run to a certain temperature?  Would this do any good?  Any bad?  At this same time, would placing the transmission in D then in R do any harm or good for the transmission which is also hibernating.

Thanks,
Mike

[Dave Atherton]

Mike, did not mention how cold will it be where parking motorhome. I would suggest top off
Fuel tank, maintained battery's is electric is near by with slow trickle charger.If not remove
Batteries because they will freeze in cold temps with extended stay. Engine I would suggest
not starting and running for short periods even at engine temp at 100 F. More damage can
happen with internal components running short periods than not running at all. Check radiator
fluid -40 . Let me know how cold where your parking at.  Dave Atherton Retired Cat mechanic

[Roy C Tyler]

Dave
He parks it close to Salem Oregon so the temps are pretty mild.

[Dave Atherton]

Roy thanks this makes a big change, thinking cold and real cold from northern states. For Mike the
answer still would be the same. Cap off the fuel tank, use trickle charger for batteries, make surre all
fluid levels are full. I would run your gen-set but still don't run your C-12. ( your C-12 will start in -20 F )
sitting outside with good batteries. As far as the engine goes it will start up in spring same as it would now.
With the HP. injection system, you could possible do damage without taking motorhome and working it
on road trip and get real warm. Running with no load is not good. I would not suggest using a electric
engine block heater or a tank heater plugged in when you are not present. ( we enter into more problems )
trying to keep engine warm. you need not put anything in fuel system. Sometimes a person thinks by
starting and running without going up the road and work it is good but again it is not. these are suggestions
only, again the C-12 is a real work horse and sitting idle will not affect anything.
Dave Atherton Retired Cat Mechanic

[Lawrence Tarnoff]

Any thoughts, Dave, about the 3126 on my 1999 Contessa?  I will be parking it in an unheated warehouse in southeast Wisconsin.  Last winter I just topped off the fuel and turned off the batteries.mmstartedmright up in spring.

Larry

[Dave Atherton]

Larry, It get cold in Wisconsin mainly off the lake. My suggestion fill up fuel tank to top.
than radiator, fill and  test to -40 below.if gets coolder than -40 there will be no damage
coolant will turn slush. Remove all batterys mark cables and put in your basement ( keep
batterys from freezing ) I would suggest in not putting a engine block heater or tank heater
on engine to try to keep it warm, can get costly and other problems involved. when you
park motorhome just leave sitting without running engine. Cat 3126 has a HEUI system
and cold oil will only cause damage starting off and on.
Dave Atherton Retired Cat Mechanic

[Lawrence Tarnoff]

Thanks, Dave.  Only one remaining question: Why am I not smart enough to convince my bride that the coach would make a lovely apartment while spending the winter in AZ?

[David T. Richelderfer]

Let's see?  Winter in Wisconsin, or winter in Arizona?  Wisconsin? Arizona?  Wisconsin?  Arizona?  And the winner is...?

We loved Arizona the last two years... shorts and a T-shirt... every day!  And it doesn't have to be Arizona.  We are planning to go to south Texas this winter.

[Mike Groves]

Roy thanks this makes a big change, thinking cold and real cold from northern states. For Mike the
answer still would be the same. Cap off the fuel tank, use trickle charger for batteries, make surre all
fluid levels are full. I would run your gen-set but still don't run your C-12. ( your C-12 will start in -20 F )
sitting outside with good batteries. As far as the engine goes it will start up in spring same as it would now.
With the HP. injection system, you could possible do damage without taking motorhome and working it
on road trip and get real warm. Running with no load is not good. I would not suggest using a electric
engine block heater or a tank heater plugged in when you are not present. ( we enter into more problems )
trying to keep engine warm. you need not put anything in fuel system. Sometimes a person thinks by
starting and running without going up the road and work it is good but again it is not. these are suggestions
only, again the C-12 is a real work horse and sitting idle will not affect anything.
Dave Atherton Retired Cat Mechanic

Dave,

Thanks.  I didn't put this thread on monitor mode, so I just checked in again.  Chuck's right, moderate temps pretty much.  Can get into the 20's but rare, typically freezing and above temps in the winter but mostly high 30s to high 40s.  Looks like I have been doing everything correctly then the last couple of years, EXCEPT for plugging it in.  Haven't had any issues, however, with the batteries as there has never been a sustained deep freeze and I guess that might be why. 

Thanks again for the low down!
Mike