Hello all;
A friend called and is going boating for about 6 months and asked me what to do about his CTD just sitting? The only thing I could think of is to fill the fuel tank up, and maybe disconnect the battery .... did I miss anything maybe jack up for the tires? After sitting that long is there anything that should be done prior to starting? I do know it takes a while for the oil pressure to build and I assume the bearings are pretty dry after hat amount of time. Can it just be cranked and not started until oil pressure is built up? .... This is hard to do mine always starts on 1 crank.

any suggestions for extended sitting

Thanks again

 

Maybe stabilizer in the tank, dessicant in the truck; wash it before he puts it away, keep the squirrels from building nests under the hood.

Its no biggie; I never had a CTD, but used to "store" my vehicles often for 6 months of "boating".

An option would be for them to leave it with me, and I'll drive it to keep the fluids circulating.....

 

Your too funny bulabula ... this guy won't even let a neighbor start it because there not mchanically inclined.. but your idea of the dessicant is good seeing the truck is in Sequim Wa in a barn ...... but I will tell him you would be happy to keep the fluids moving around for him

 

What's a dessicant?

 

Something that removes moisture.

Those little packets of "Do Not Eat" found in VCR's, TV's and other electronics original packaging.



phox

 

And for anyone who's curious, Sequim is NOT pronounced Se-kwim... or anything like that. It's skwim. Go figure....

 

oh yeah.

 

Have read from time to time that when a vehicle is stored and there is a danger of small critters getting in the engine or whatever to place a few of the dryer anti-static sheets in the cab and around the engine. Have never used this myself so can't vouch for how good it works.

 

Mexican ... another good thought which brings up funny memories for me ...

1) I had a old 911 that I never drove well the mice got into the engine behind the alt flywheel and made a nest .. when I finally started it I heard a bang bang in the engine ... stopped looked could see nothing. After driving it for awhile I pulled the heater **** out and this horrable smell came out of the vents!! After weeks of looking I had to pull the engine and there were all the fried mice parts all over the place ... what a mess and stink! from then on I started to put mouse traps in the engine compartment no more problems

2) I had a 250 Yamaha stored in a Bodega in Costa Rica (land of 65K bugs) I went down to start the bike and nothing, fresh fuel, plug, everything I could think of but nothing ... then I noticed as I was cranking it "stuff" was coming out of the pipe little by little. Pulled the muffler off and wala it was solid packed with mud and bees of some sort ..cleaned it all out and it ran like new. Needless to say I put a plastic bag over the muffler tied down from then on no problems.

So all and all your suggestion a bag over the tailpipe is also a good idea for the critters now that I recall

Thanks!

 

I can never get batteries to store, even new ones. Even when disconnected the plates will sulphate over time and ruin the battery. Best bet is for your buddy to have someone charge the battery once every couple weeks or so. Or else buy a battery maintainer. On the other hand, it may just be cheaper and easier to buy a new battery when he gets back.

 

Yes DDD .... the batteries are hard to control especially if there around the 3 year mark then just replacing them would probably be better off.

I have heard the Optima will last a long time just sitting, they actually are making a 155 reserve now for RV's and Boats only thing there a little expensive about $180.00+. I thought I would try one in the Camper so we will see now how well they last.

(no power in the barn yet)

 

I never had a battery die on me while in storage, and the cars that I stored were never brand new. I wouldn't worry about it until that day arrives. I don't think my cars ever needed a charge either. Never disconnected them either. This was while stationed in Norfolk and San Deigo.

Only issue I had was when my '77 Olds was started, one of the lifters clattered like heck for a few minutes then settled down and was never heard again - just like new.

 

How long can truck sit?

when i went down to texas to get my 3500, i went down the west side of arkansas and from the looks of some of the ones in the front yards there... along time. but i don't think that's what your asking.

 

Those little packets taste good on Pizza!!!!

 

Brules Pizza Do you have a lot of people over for dinner, if they only know your secret Parmesan & Romano Blend .... I'll bet they don't sweat to much

I would think in Sequim WA you would need about 50# of extra large packets seeing it rains 90% of the time!