| [GMCnet] Winter storage and fuel [message #192236] |
Tue, 04 December 2012 18:28  |
fbhtxak
Messages: 191
Registered: April 2006
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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JR, Tom,
I and most motorhome owners I know in south central Alaska store their
motorhomes beginning early September and revive them late May/early June the
following year. The storage prep there is very simple:
1. Winterize coach (done without RV anti-freeze)
2. Fill fuel tanks, adding 12 oz Heet(or equal)/20 gal. fuel during fill
3. Insure that all batteries are in good condition (load-test if not sure),
at proper electrolyte level and fully charged. Lead acid batteries, properly
preserved, don't freeze until about -75 to- 90F. In south central, the
typical coldest winter temp is a relatively warm -35 to -40F.
4. Onan (or other) genset: start engine, disconnect 12V supply to fuel pump
and run until engine dies from fuel starvation. DO NOTHING TO ENGINE
(presupposes prior oil change)
5. Park coach in storage location. DO NOTHING TO ENGINE (presupposes prior
oil change)
6. Disconnect batteries (there is no power available at most storage
facilities for battery maintainers). Capacity of batteries drops as
temperature falls but recovers as temperature increases. A typical voltage
change from time of storage to recommission is -0.25VDC for about the same
ambient temperatures.
7. If stored outside (and most are as they are snow covered from mid-Oct to
late April), cover engine, genset and battery compartment(s) with plastic
sheeting. Reduces dirt/volcanic ash accumulation during blizzard/chinook
winds. For air suspension systems, place blocks at jack points to maintain
proper ground clearance and deflate system.
8. DO NOT START engine or genset until following year start-up.
9. At start-up: remove plastic sheeting, reconnect batteries, motor genset
engine and coach engine with respective starter motors about ten seconds
each to establish oil circulation. For carbureted engines, spray starting
fluid into venturi/quickly replace air cleaner and "light-off". Starting
fluid not needed for fuel injected engines. Most owners start the genset
first in case engine battery needs a boost. The engines normally start in
less than ten seconds at 55 to 65F. Recommission house system and check for
leaks.
'Have used this procedure for more than thirty years over three motorhomes,
including the GMCMh (all still owned or in family). All are still on the OEM
engines with only normal wear for the accumulated mileage. Shortly after
arriving Alaska, an "old sourdough" neighbor, after observing my "L48" picky
pickling methods on a new Coachmen, said "Let me show you how we do it here
on my coach". He finished and said "and that's how it's done, son". At the
time, he was the original owner of a ten year old SOB with a Ford "460". It
sounded and performed as new. I used the above procedure every year
afterwards - 'still do...
Fred Hudspeth
Fred B. Hudspeth
1978 Royale - Tyler, TX
1982 Airstream Excella 28' Mh - Cooper Landing, Alaska
Message: 4
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2012 10:12:41 -0500
From: "Gerald Wheeler" <jrwheeler7@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Winter storage and fuel
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Message-ID: <410-220121224151241214@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
You can also fog the carb with Seafoam spray
Dick Paterson recommends using a fogging oil when shutting your engine down
for several months (or longer). He said to run the hot engine around 1500
rpm and spray for 20 seconds into the carb. I use a fogging oil sold by
NAPA; probably similar to the Seafoam spray.
JR Wheeler NC/OR
> [Original Message]
> From: Thomas Phipps <tph1pp5@yahoo.com>
> To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
> Date: 12/4/2012 9:30:52 AM
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Winter storage and fuel
>
>
>
> Both Seafoam and Sta-Bil recommend a double dose for long term storage.
You can also fog the carb with Seafoam spray, and allow it to be pulled
into the engine while the engine is running. The engine will choke out and
quit running, but some of the product will be in the cylinders as a
protective coating.
> In Virginia, which has some very cold winter days, I filled my tanks and
added double seafoam. Always started and ran in the Spring without much
further action.
> IMHO, Both Seafoam and Sta-Bil accomplish the same thing for me.
>
> Tom, MS II
> --
> 1975 GMC Avion, under forever re-construction
> Vicksburg, MS. 3.7 miles from I-20
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