Sitting over the winter

[Tikvah]

I was reading another post about fuel additives and it got me thinking... it happens occasionally  

This will be the second winter that my bus will sit.  I didn't start it this summer, so a total of two years without firing the engine.  I have a full tank of fuel, but should I add anything to my tank to protect the fuel system?

Is there anything else I should consider?

The batteries are out and have been on a 1amp 24V smart charger

Dave

[grantgoold]

What weather conditions is the fuel exposed to? In previous posts it seems like many nuts suggested anti-gel additives. I have done this for a few years now during the winter (never exposed to prolonged periods of freezing) and I have never had any problems.

Is there someone you trust to go by the bus and run it for some period of time for the bearings, tires and so forth?

Grant

[Tikvah]

I'm in a cold climate, top of Michigan.  The bus is in my driveway.

Is there someone you trust to go by the bus and run it for some period of time for the bearings, tires and so forth?

I've intentionally not started it.  My reasoning is that it is better to sit than to run without being heated up and run down the road a good distance.  The engine is new (about 25,000 miles).

[buswarrior]

On the fuel front, being in a northern climate, I'll suggest there's nothing to do to the fuel.

On the engine front, another hot topic...

If the engine has not been turned over in an extended period, did you store it according to the DD procedures?

There will be cylinders open to the wind blowing up the tailpipe, with resulting rust forming on the cylinder walls and open valve seats.

Just sitting there, the engine and drive train can accumulate condensation internally the same as the fuel tank with every day's temperature change.

As with everything else, there is compromise between run it, don't run it, drive it, don't drive it, store it, don't store it....

Everyone has an opinion, you pay the bills, you have to make up your own.

What do the folks who have to earn an income with their machines do with all those industrial engines, back-up generators, crawlers/dozers and other periodically used engines?

Just run 'em?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[trucktramp]

If you bought your fuel during cold weather from a local or northern fuel stop, then it is already treated for winter.  Most northern truckstops have "winter blend" fuel that has some type of conditioner added to it.  If the fuel in it was purchased during the summer or in the south then it may be straight diesel.  The conditioner usually has some sort of algicide to kill the crap that lives in the diesel.

[HB of CJ]

Excellent answers already given.  Yep...keep the fuel tank full.  Consider plugging off the exhaust pipe and air cleaner to keep various things out, including cooties, bugs, varmits, moisture and whatever.  Will your trickle charger be enough to counteract the self discharge rate of your starter batts?  Will you have to add water?  Good luck.  HB of CJ

[robertglines1]

Dave: I know you like the snowmobile trails and trips across Big lake to Mac Island.! But Time to head south!!!!   Bus won't need help then.   Bob

[luvrbus]

Check the anti freeze,cover the exhaust pipe and air cleaner you will be ok the bugs don't grow in freezing weather and you don't want to get into the oil fogging of the engine

[bobofthenorth]

The most important rule for storing any diesel powered machinery is "park it so you can get at the noisy end."  I've stored a lot of diesel engines over the years and all I've ever done is disconnect the batteries and walk away from them.