Question about prolonged sitting.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Wayland, MI
Question about prolonged sitting.
Would it be advised to add a fuel stablizer to my 04 powerstroke for sitting through the winter. I haven't driven the truck much this year anyway, and now it will be napping in the barn all winter. I do have a battery tender on it to keep the batteries charged. Was just wondering about stabil or something like that for the fuel. I always use it on my Harley's but have never had the opportunity to store a diesel truck.
Your insight would he appreciated
Toyman
Your insight would he appreciated
Toyman
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
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You need to add double dosage of Fuel additive of your choice (anti-gel if in cold weather). Many use PowerService in the white bottle for winter and grey if you live in warm weather and summer months.
Pour in double dosage, fill it up all the way, drive truck to mix it up and circulate it through your fuel system (20 - 30 minutes of driving).
Motors do not like to sit as the oil on the cylinder walls wears/drains off. I would at least drive it 1/month for 30+ minutes to get all fluids up to temp and burn off any moiosture in the oil , tranny and keep the motor lubed up.
Just to start and idle is not good and creates more mositure and problems than just sitting. I am usre you can find a reason at least 1/month to drive it for a day or two then park it again... heck their fun to drive... right!!!
Pour in double dosage, fill it up all the way, drive truck to mix it up and circulate it through your fuel system (20 - 30 minutes of driving).
Motors do not like to sit as the oil on the cylinder walls wears/drains off. I would at least drive it 1/month for 30+ minutes to get all fluids up to temp and burn off any moiosture in the oil , tranny and keep the motor lubed up.
Just to start and idle is not good and creates more mositure and problems than just sitting. I am usre you can find a reason at least 1/month to drive it for a day or two then park it again... heck their fun to drive... right!!!
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Florence,SC
do not let this truck sit. it will not be good for the mechanical side of the engine for starters. we have had some ambulances come in with broken rocker arms and damaged push rods at 200 miles due to the truck sitting for so long at the body plant.
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FTE Chapter Leader
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From: Wayland, MI
Was that caused by moisture in the engine, creating rust on those components?
Here is how I am looking at it. This truck has fairly low mileage on it already, I have something else to drive so why put the salt causing rust and winter crap on my 04 Harley truck. It seems I could put in an additive in the oil and start the truck and let it run for an hour or so every month and not have a moisture issue in the engine. I have it up on jack stands so the tires don't get a permanent flat spot in them. This also allows me to walk by and spin the tires from time to time and circulate the gear lube so there is no rust forming on the gears (I've always done that on my other truck that I've stored). I'm only talking until spring 5 months probably. I've seen trucks on dealers lot for longer than that with no problems.
Any body have suggestions for a good oil additive.
Toyman
Here is how I am looking at it. This truck has fairly low mileage on it already, I have something else to drive so why put the salt causing rust and winter crap on my 04 Harley truck. It seems I could put in an additive in the oil and start the truck and let it run for an hour or so every month and not have a moisture issue in the engine. I have it up on jack stands so the tires don't get a permanent flat spot in them. This also allows me to walk by and spin the tires from time to time and circulate the gear lube so there is no rust forming on the gears (I've always done that on my other truck that I've stored). I'm only talking until spring 5 months probably. I've seen trucks on dealers lot for longer than that with no problems.
Any body have suggestions for a good oil additive.
Toyman
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
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Originally Posted by Toyman
Was that caused by moisture in the engine, creating rust on those components?
Here is how I am looking at it. This truck has fairly low mileage on it already, I have something else to drive so why put the salt causing rust and winter crap on my 04 Harley truck. It seems I could put in an additive in the oil and start the truck and let it run for an hour or so every month and not have a moisture issue in the engine. I have it up on jack stands so the tires don't get a permanent flat spot in them. This also allows me to walk by and spin the tires from time to time and circulate the gear lube so there is no rust forming on the gears (I've always done that on my other truck that I've stored). I'm only talking until spring 5 months probably. I've seen trucks on dealers lot for longer than that with no problems.
Any body have suggestions for a good oil additive.
Toyman
Here is how I am looking at it. This truck has fairly low mileage on it already, I have something else to drive so why put the salt causing rust and winter crap on my 04 Harley truck. It seems I could put in an additive in the oil and start the truck and let it run for an hour or so every month and not have a moisture issue in the engine. I have it up on jack stands so the tires don't get a permanent flat spot in them. This also allows me to walk by and spin the tires from time to time and circulate the gear lube so there is no rust forming on the gears (I've always done that on my other truck that I've stored). I'm only talking until spring 5 months probably. I've seen trucks on dealers lot for longer than that with no problems.
Any body have suggestions for a good oil additive.
Toyman
Just drive it and enjoy it. If you concerned about snow and salt... just wash it well before you put it back in the garage. There was an old TSB or message to dealers and ambulance outfitters )1 - 2 years ago) that frequent "short-term" starting and "driving on the lot" is not good for a new and "not-broken in" motor. These motors wantg and need to be used and driven.
You ask for a name of a fuel additive... and I gave you one in post #2 above... "Powerservice" brand in the white bottle (which is their winter/anti-gel formula).
Last edited by Beachbumcook; Dec 7, 2006 at 05:09 PM.
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From: Orange County, California
We've had problems with trucks that sit on our lot too long before they are sold. The valves sometimes get stuck in the guides causing broken rocker arms and bent push rods. I have to replace cylinder heads on some of these vehicles.
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Got Diesel?
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Take a look at this link from Ford....
Says it all... possible reasons for some poor running issues with certain people's trucks...
May have to cut and paste link to work as it is a pdf file link...
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/non-html/Q125.pdf
Says it all... possible reasons for some poor running issues with certain people's trucks...
May have to cut and paste link to work as it is a pdf file link...
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/non-html/Q125.pdf
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Toyman,
I am willing to break in the motor on your truck during your winter months. Nobody else has offered, but I will sacrifice one of my other vehicles to continue to add mileage to your engine. Here in California we live in the sun, so we don't have any salt or major rust problems. I promise to keep in clean and your tires won't have any flat spots once I return it to you. I am saving you headache of adding fuel stabilizer, placing the battery tender, tire flat spots,animal and insects from building there residence on your truck. Once spring arrive, you should have a properly driven engine and no flat tire spots.
I am willing to break in the motor on your truck during your winter months. Nobody else has offered, but I will sacrifice one of my other vehicles to continue to add mileage to your engine. Here in California we live in the sun, so we don't have any salt or major rust problems. I promise to keep in clean and your tires won't have any flat spots once I return it to you. I am saving you headache of adding fuel stabilizer, placing the battery tender, tire flat spots,animal and insects from building there residence on your truck. Once spring arrive, you should have a properly driven engine and no flat tire spots.
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FTE Chapter Leader
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From: Wayland, MI
Thanks for the offer Ducster, but I think I will keep the truck where I can see it.
I guess I will take my chances by letting it sit. I'll find some oil treatment and put the fuel additive in this weekend.
I know these trucks are ment to be driven, but I have a 94 that I plow with so most of my winter is spent in that or on the snowmobile.
Thanks for all the advise.
Toyman
I guess I will take my chances by letting it sit. I'll find some oil treatment and put the fuel additive in this weekend.
I know these trucks are ment to be driven, but I have a 94 that I plow with so most of my winter is spent in that or on the snowmobile.
Thanks for all the advise.
Toyman
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 22
Originally Posted by Toyman
Thanks for the offer Ducster, but I think I will keep the truck where I can see it.
I guess I will take my chances by letting it sit. I'll find some oil treatment and put the fuel additive in this weekend.
I know these trucks are ment to be driven, but I have a 94 that I plow with so most of my winter is spent in that or on the snowmobile.
Thanks for all the advise.
Toyman
I guess I will take my chances by letting it sit. I'll find some oil treatment and put the fuel additive in this weekend.
I know these trucks are ment to be driven, but I have a 94 that I plow with so most of my winter is spent in that or on the snowmobile.
Thanks for all the advise.
Toyman
Wow... didn't we answer your question on why not to let it sit.... but you will anyway.... so why did you even ask the question... or were you hoping one person would give you the answer you wanted toi hear???
Good luck... you may need it... but good luck anyway.
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FTE Chapter Leader
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From: Wayland, MI
Beachbumcook, I will try on my computer at home to open that attachment and read that. For some reason I can't open it at work.
The reasons you gave for not letting the truck are really making me thing that I should sell my 04. I do enjoy driving the truck. Who in there right mind would not enjoy driving a super duty let alone a Harley edition #671, that thing has peoples heads turning where ever it goes.
As far as the whole situation goes the truck is already a time bomb, it sat for most of the summer while the house was being built. I've only put 4000 miles on it this year. Heck I only rode my Harley 1200 miles this year. If it is prone to breaking a rocker it could do it the next time I start it up, or should have done it in August after it sat for 3 months.
Toyman
The reasons you gave for not letting the truck are really making me thing that I should sell my 04. I do enjoy driving the truck. Who in there right mind would not enjoy driving a super duty let alone a Harley edition #671, that thing has peoples heads turning where ever it goes.
As far as the whole situation goes the truck is already a time bomb, it sat for most of the summer while the house was being built. I've only put 4000 miles on it this year. Heck I only rode my Harley 1200 miles this year. If it is prone to breaking a rocker it could do it the next time I start it up, or should have done it in August after it sat for 3 months.
Toyman
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Edmonton AB
Just use the cut & paste www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/non-html/Q125.pdf & the link will work fine (ie no https//)
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FTE Chapter Leader
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From: Wayland, MI
OK I got the link open. It is good information, if my truck had 100 miles on it. It states in the text that this is for NEW trucks that are not broken in. Mine has 40K on it, I can't see that happening.
Here's what I will do, store the truck, the same way I have others. I'll post if there is any trouble in the spring when I get it back out.
Again thanks for the info Beachbumcook, and all others.
Toyman
Here's what I will do, store the truck, the same way I have others. I'll post if there is any trouble in the spring when I get it back out.
Again thanks for the info Beachbumcook, and all others.
Toyman