All,
After a long slumber (Since mid May 07), I going to be starting my 93. Normally on a gasser, when I would let it sit for a few months to a year - I would pull the distributer and prime the oil galleys, in order to prevent wear on the crank bearings. Is there a way to prevent the Cummin's from starting, but still allow cranking of the engine, to build oil pressure? I know on a gasser you could either pull the ignition coil, or pull the distributor and prime the engine with a distributor gear on a drill.
I will be changing over to winter oil - 5W-40, as soon as I get the truck up and running, and change out the 15W-40. I didn't get to boat this Summer, so the truck sat. I will be using it as necessary during the winter months, in order to plow our driveway. Oh; by the way, I bought one of those pre-lubricators (but haven't installed yet). These things are suppose to pre-lube the oil galley (lower crank bearings) before you start your engine. If you drive your truck regularly, I hear they are a waste of money, but for "sitter's" like my 93 - which may sit for a while, I figured I would give it a shot. I can't afford another truck right now

 

well you could disconect the power to the shutdown solenoid on the pump or hold back the shutdown lever on the side.

 

I don't know what kind of pre-oiler you bought, but we had one on a race car I used to wor on. It was a very simple idea really, kind of like the accumulator on a combine head. It was actually called an accumulator system. Had a ball valve, and a piston accumulator. You would fill with oil, and "charge" the other side of the piston with a specific air psi. Then we ( on a new engine) would prime it with a drill, open the valve so the pressure would go into the accumulator and then close the valve. Before starting the engine, we would crack the valve off until the oil psi guage came up - then fire the engine. We raced dirt track and they said in an accident, or even because of a rough track, you would ensure to have oil pressure all of the time! It held over 3 qts of oil so there was plenty! Also.......you had to make sure to shut the valve before turning the engine off ! --- for 2 reasons.......#1 you wouldn't have any pressure to prime the system next time you started it, and #2 those 3 qts of oil would then over fill the crank case!

Oh.......back to the original question........Agree with above! Pull the plug on the shutoff solenoid and crank for awhile. The guage light should go off fairly quick. I would do that maybe 2 or 3 times , then start the engine.

 

How much fuel was left in the system? I'd replace the filter before cranking and maybe even drain the tank? Here in KY I have the farm tank filled about once a year and haven't (knock on wood) had a problem yet with old, stale fuel or algea but I'm probably pushing my luck.

In my experience, not using a vehicle, boat, tractor, house, etc is harder on it than actual use. Think of other things to check too, like mices in the air filter, etc, etc. Gremlins like to move in while you're gone!

 

So if I read this right, it's only been sitting for 5 months? Hit the key and go. JMO.

 

I say the same, pull the air filter, check for critters, button it up, and hit the key.

 

check for animals in the aircleaner check the fluids and fire it up. Maybe charge the battery to give it a good top off charge. for 5 months thats what i would do. Watch your oil pressure gauge and make sure it comes up.

 

I had one that sat for almost a year. Started right up (after I got a new battery for it), and sold it to a guy from Indiana.

The Cummins engines are MUCH toughter and rugged than their gas burning counterparts. I wouldnt worry about it. If it had been sitting for 2-5 years, I'd do more prep work, but not 5mo. They will go a million miles on dino oil and cheap filters.......

Daniel

 

I'm with Greg.

 

Just start it! I bought an '89 that sat for 4-5 years. I put a battery in it, checked fluids, pumped the lift pump about 10 -12 times. I turned it about 3/4 of a turn and it was running!

 

All,
Thanks for all of the suggestions. Yeah, the 93 has been sitting for just 5 months. I checked under the hood for any sign of critter trouble, but couldn't locate anything. It looks like it will be 60 tomorrow, in SE WI according to NOAA, so I will prime the LP and fire it up. I don't think I will need to worry about the fuel filter? Once I give it a good drive, I will change over to 5-40 for the winter months. Oh, for those interested, here is the link to the pre-luber I bought http://www.autoenginelube.com/ The fellow who sells these kits (Fred), seems like a decent guy. He suggested the 2 qt kit for the 5.9 Cummin's. I haven't had a chance to hook it up yet, but will post some pics when I do. I don't have any affiliation with Fred, just punched in Pre-luber on Google and saw his web site. His kits were one of the more affordable out there.

 

Just a note from personal experience. Back in July I revived my '92 after being down for 10-12 months because of a bad transmission. I checked the fluids, put in a new battery (the old one had gone bad in that time), and lit it off. It ran rough for about 15-30 seconds and then settled into into a normal idle. I ran it for 200 miles, changed the oil and fuel filter, and then hit the road towing a travel trailer. That was over 5000 miles ago and, aside from one stumble during the first 200 miles because of a fuel filter problem, the motor has been fine.

Good luck with yours.

 

I have heard it is bad for the seals to let them sit that long, and you should start it at least once a month. Is this correct?

 

It's better to just let it sit if you aren't going to take it out for a drive every few days.

 

My understanding is that starting them but not getting them up to operating temp is worse than just sitting because condensation and acids form in the crankcase. Fuel, on the other hand, needs to be treated to prevent algae growth during storage.