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Cummis Engine

Yahoo Message Number: 3754
we have been sitting in Yuma, Arizona since Nov. 1 and plan to be here till March 1st- QUESTION- Should we start the CUMMINS ISL 400? What is best?

Stan and Joni Fulltiming
Intrgue 11556

Re: Cummis Engine

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3760
Everything that I have read and heard has been that it does more harm than good to idle the engine. It should be driven instead. I don't think the engine can get to normal temp for proper lubrication without driving it. But I'll be interested in hearing what others with more experience have to say.

Dick May

2002 Intrigue, #11438
Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438, towing a
2014 Jeep Gr Cherokee ecoDiesel

Re: Cummis Engine

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3762
"stanley20002152 rejonna@...>" wrote: and plan to be here till March 1st- QUESTION- Should we start the CUMMINS ISL 400? What is best? >>

Diesel engines don't like to sit for long. It's generally a good idea to run your motorhome every other week. However, just to start the engine and let it idle for a while does more harm than good.

The ISL is one of the newer Cummins engines. You probably have the pre-lube feature built in. Given that you will stay where you are for two more month, I suggest you leave the engine alone for now UNLESS you drive the RV until all systems have reached normal operating temparatures before you return to the campground.

When you finally are ready to leave, allow some extra time before you pull out of your site. Give the lubricants a chance to be pumped "all over", and move the RV slowly. Hopefully, your brakes will not have frozen and your Pacbrake hasn't gotten stuck by then.

Do a thorough "walk-around" like a trucker would to ensure your coach is ready to be put back into service on the highways. An oil change may be appropriate after sitting for five months. That's a looooong time. Do the air brake tests before you leave your campsite.

This topic has been discussed at greater length in the Diesel-RVs group here on Yahoo about a week ago. I drive my RV every week, or every two weeks at the least, just to keep it in good shape even when I don't have time to go on a trip. The route I take includes some stop-and-go traffic, some highway and a few curves. I takes me about a half an hour to drive the loop and when I return I know the engine and major components have warmed up thoroughly. This weekly warm-up keeps important parts of the chassis lubricated and ready for my next RV trip.

Your big advantage over me is that you have the ISL which, I believe, comes factry-equipped with a pre-lube system. However, that only affects the engine and no other chassis components.

I wish you good luck and many more happy miles ! Jeff

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Re: Cummis Engine

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3766
Stan,

I would not only start it I would drive it around for at least a half an hour. These things were made to drive. One of the worst enemies of a motor coach is to have it sit for 6 months. When we store our coach for more then 2 months I take it out on the road till it reachs running temperature and then drive it for at least 15 minutes. I hope you had a full tank of fuel when you stopped Nov. 1, diesel should not sit for long periods of time in a half full tank. Happy trails

Bill G. 2001 Magna #5998

Re: Cummis Engine

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3769
Thanks for all this good information. I never seem to be amazed at how much "stuff" everyone knows more than I do. But I'm learning and its great - and very very appreciated.

Tom Sims

Intrigue #11419

Re: Cummis Engine

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3793
"Tom" tj@...> wrote:

to be amazed at how much "stuff" everyone knows more than I do. But I'm learning and its great - and very very appreciated. >>
Tom,

join a few newsgroups and read the discussions, talk to fellow RV-ers at campgrounds, service shops and wherever else you find them, and you, too, will soon know "stuff" that many others wonder about.
Regards,
Jeff

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Re: Cummis Engine

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3865
Many diesels sit in storage for 6 months every year in MN. The only one I have heard that had troubles was a guy who had a new engine, and started it every day just to hear it run. By spring the engine needed overhaul. LOL

Allan