Hi guys...

Searches aren't doing much for me, so I thought I would drop a thread in here for people's input.
I'm about to put my truck into storage for 6 months. It will not be able to be run at all during that time.

I currently have the following in mind -
-- Garage is heated to stay at a minimum of 40f
-- Battery maintainer will be connected
-- fuel tank is topped off with Premium Diesel
-- Water separator has been purged (interesting but I have never yet gotten water in a one pint sample)
-- Jack stands installed so weight is off tires
-- Desiccant canister in the cab
-- Tailpipe bagged (sealed)

Now on my gasoline powered equipment, I have always used Sta-Bil and non-oxygenated fuel whenever possible. I was thinking of purchasing Sta-Bil for diesel, but something in their ad tells me it's maybe not such a hot idea.
It says it removes water. Now the only way I know of to remove water is to emulsify it / entrain it into the fuel so it will run theough the injectors and out the tailpipe.
Well, we know what water will do to the High Pressure Fuel Pump and injectors on these trucks - so it looks like that option may be out...
Any other suggestions for a fuel stabilizer?
What about other preparation suggestions?

 

Fresh oil change. Might put some mouse traps around the floor, those glue traps work well.


Maybe a air fresher in the cab too.


Before start up, I would pull the lower filter and check it for water and anything crystalized on it. If nothing then I'd run it.

 

Thanks Scott.. The current oil (5w40-T6) and filter only have a few thousand on them - I was going to wait until spring to change them. I suppose I could dump it and put in fresh.. I'll run the oil I drain through my daily driver anyways...

I make sure any mice are well fed with Decon and peanut butter traps..

 

Wouldn't hurt to treat the fuel tank to prevent biogrowth. Also put a wire screen over the air filter to keep out mice.

 

Treat the fuel with what?

 

Any chance you could have someone start it and get up to operating temp once in a while? Maybe put it in gear and keep seals lubed too?

 

It would be nice, but simply not possible..

 

I wouldn't bother with an oil change. Fill with fuel and park it. Disconnect the batteries.

You aren't storing it for years, its only a few months. I wouldn't even put it on jack stands but that's just me.

 

"Biobor JF"

 

All good advice the only thing I would add after storing tractors for about 7 months during the winter time , You will be amazed to find the amount of water that will settle on the bottom of the fuel tank regardless of good fuel or not the characteristics of ultra low sulfur fuel. I wonder why Ford has never figured out how to put a fuel drain on the bottom of the physical tank I know that hipsters will get upset in the event that you could have an accident LOL call the EPA. However on all the old equipment 85 and back there are drains at the bottom of the tanks. I can't begin to tell you how much water comes out after siting for 7 months , that would be your biggest concern when you go to start the vehicle. it almost might pay to drop the tank and get that water out of there before it starts slowly entering the system, by the way they make a shock treatment that will control algae growth power service makes one we use it in the summertime in large storage tanks. I think if Ford was serious about controlling water in the diesel they would figure out a way to put a drain in the bottom of the tank where the problem starts take care

 

If the garage stays at a relatively constant temperature, I don't see condensation being a major problem.

 

I will see what I can find in regard to Biobor-JF...

The temp in the garage is fairly constant since it is insulated and the thermostat on the furnace out there can be set to 35 or 40 degrees f. I usually set to 40 in the winter.

Thank you all for your thoughts!

 

Here is how I store mine in the cold Saskatchewan winter where to gets to -45.
Park outside beside the garage.
Fuel tank full of winter diesel.
Ford fuel treatment for winter.
Charge the batteries every month.
Start up and drive next May.

I've stored my trucks like this for decades now.

 

It's best to store with fresh oil rather than oil with some corrosive contaminants in it. If you are going to change right away in the Spring, it would add no cost to do it now.

My concern would be age of the DEF. You might want to check the owners manual about that.

 

I've heard that it is better not to start the engine once and a while. You're better off driving it for long enough to get it up to operating temps and then shut it down and leave it off for the duration. This will burn off any moisture in the engine.

On edit: Just saw that you did mention getting it up to operating temps. In that case then it wouldn't hurt things but I'm not sure how much it would help versus just letting it sit.