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  • Long Term Storage of Diesel Truck

    I've read the Owner's Manual for my Ford F-350 DRW on the subject of Storage, but soliciting additional information from the knowledgeable folks here on the forum. (I know there are dedicated Ford forums...but I don't "know" those individuals and spend most of my time here, so thanks in advance for your consideration.)

    Due to a family situation and a school I'm attending that starts in September, my truck will likely sit unused (started early July) through the end of November. I'll have one opportunity to prep it in the coming weeks.

    Current status of the truck is it has new oil and filter, new fuel filters, cleaned/waxed and protected with a heavy duty cover.

    The manual says to run every 30 days--that won't be possible.

    Charge and disconnect the batteries?

    Add diesel additive? (A tech mentioned something about "algae" growing up in the fuel? Is that true?)

    Leery about lifting the tires off the ground--it is hurricane season on the gulf coast. (One of the reasons I'm going back to the house is to install the hurricane shutters.)

    Any other thoughts/recommendations?

    Howard
    Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

    2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

  • #2
    Howard,

    For long term storage fill the tank and run in a biocide and stabilizer.....and follow your manual since Ford knows whats best for your Ford. Best to change fluids just prior to storage to coat internal components with fresh acid free oil. Acids and contaminants develop from normal combustion processes. Disconnect the battery since memory functions will kill the battery over time. Ideally, it would be good to occasionally run the engine to coat internals and to bring the engine up to operating temperature. Perhaps a trustworthy neighbor could do this for you.

    Its a bit easier since you are in FL and most likely the truck is kept in the garage so the change in temperature would be more gradual, so condensation should be minimal.

    Jim

    Comment


    • #3
      The big problem I had was the Def fluid. This stuff gets gummy and old. Stored for 2 months and had the system go into limp mode had to have system flushed and sensors replaced. This was one of the reasons I went back to gas. Not sure if they fixed that issue or have a good additive for that just worth checking into. My buddy hid diesel he trys to start and let run every month over the winter.
      2021 Reflection 303RLS
      2019 Ram 2500 short box 6.4 Hemi
      Anderson ultimate hitch

      Comment


      • #4
        I dont think your time frame is all that extreme. Like mentioned above, Algaecide fuel treatment, run the DEF tank down as low as possible and disconnect the battery and call it good. We had trucks sit for way longer than that without having issues. I dont believe any specific maintenance is warranted. My $.02 and worth what you paid for it
        2021 Reflection 337RLS, 2021 Silverado 3500HD 6.6 gas. Nellie the wonder boxer

        Comment


        • #5
          howson Guest I am with Jim's recommendations. I would add that just letting the truck run in place to operating temps could be self defeating. Warming the truck to temp then shutting down could actually create condensation on a cumulative basis, adding to the acid issue, it needs to be run around long enough to evaporate the moisture, heat soak the block and also warm the transmission. A good synthetic oil also helps in my opinion. We used to leave diesel equipment sit for 6 months during winter with the additives Jim mentions and never had any issues. As the years went by we discovered battery operated pre-oilers, 90% of engine wear takes place the first 15 seconds or so after start-up (used them on aircraft engines also) and would turn them on every month or so to provide fresh oil to the internals. IMHO this could take the place of running the engine but I am not a power plant engineer. Several pieces of equip. had over 15,000 hours on them with this winter shut down cycle. I have no idea about possible DEF issues. Good Luck.

          Dave
          flyfshrockies, 2021 imagine 2600RB, Ford F-150, XLT supper crew 3.5 eco boost with max tow. Dave and Toni (and the awesome Aussie Bayley, he's the social one)

          Comment


          • #6
            howson Here's a Ford doc you may have already found, which may or may not help with your DEF thoughts. DEF Shelf Life and Fluid Quality.pdf
            Terry and Patty (Dogs-Sophie and Tessa)
            2020 Reflection 297RSTS - bought Oct 2019
            2021 F350 crew cab, SRW, 6.7L diesel, 14K equal-i-zer hitch

            Comment


            • #7
              howson Howard, I do not have a DEF DPF truck that I let sit, but my 04 duramax sits for months at a time without running. Try to keep the tank full (I don't use additives), disconnect the negative terminal on both batteries to keep it from running them down or use a battery tender, I try to heat soak the engine and trans before parking to help. Exhaust on the newer trucks is clean, stick something in there to keep the critters out, drier sheets under the hood for insects (possibly rodents), and when you do start it, wait 60 seconds before doing anything and move forward first as that's how the trans gets lubricated.

              Truth is, if you ask 10 people you will get 10 sets of instructions. Follow the manual and common sense. You do not need to fog the intake or anything extreme. Be forwarded that if you check the fluids before starting the truck it will appear as things are overfilled especially the trans.
              Joseph
              Tow
              Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
              Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
              South of Houston Texas

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by howson View Post
                I've read the Owner's Manual for my Ford F-350 DRW on the subject of Storage, but soliciting additional information from the knowledgeable folks here on the forum. (I know there are dedicated Ford forums...but I don't "know" those individuals and spend most of my time here, so thanks in advance for your consideration.)

                Due to a family situation and a school I'm attending that starts in September, my truck will likely sit unused (started early July) through the end of November. I'll have one opportunity to prep it in the coming weeks.

                Current status of the truck is it has new oil and filter, new fuel filters, cleaned/waxed and protected with a heavy duty cover.

                The manual says to run every 30 days--that won't be possible.

                Charge and disconnect the batteries?

                Add diesel additive? (A tech mentioned something about "algae" growing up in the fuel? Is that true?)

                Leery about lifting the tires off the ground--it is hurricane season on the gulf coast. (One of the reasons I'm going back to the house is to install the hurricane shutters.)

                Any other thoughts/recommendations?

                Howard
                My truck sits a lot. You have covered most of it. Disconnect batterys or put on a trickle charger. Park with tires on a hard surface. Might want to put a windshield sun shade up. Add diesel fuel conditioner and as I don't have DEF follow others advice on that. Is it in the shade or sun. If sun you might want to give the seats/dash a cleaning with a product that has UV inhibitors. Do you have a rodent problem around? I have a few Decon feeding stations hidden in the engine bay and elsewhere- I can tell if they they been chewed on.. Last thing I have to check for after a long sit is wasp nests - they love the mirrors and door jambs - nothing a can of spray cant solve.

                Safe travels
                Keith
                2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

                Comment


                • #9
                  howson
                  Hi Howard,

                  If you want to measure the DEF urea concentration, a Refractometer is the tool for this. Most recent ones have a DEF scale. (Mine pre-dates DEF . . . I guess it is time to get a new one ). These are not very expensive.

                  Algaecide in the diesel fuel is a common addition in boats.

                  Rob
                  Cate & Rob
                  (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                  2015 Reflection 303RLS
                  2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                  Bayham, Ontario, Canada

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    howson
                    Hi Howard, been a while.
                    Storage of your truck. Here’s what I have done since 2001 with my 7.3, and my current 2013 6.7 diesel.
                    I add the biocide in the fuel tanks (main, tank in bed of truck).
                    I try to run the DEF low towards the end of the season.
                    Change the oil. Drive it in the garage. (Sometimes I pull the negative cables. Lately, I just use a battery tender.)
                    Shut the truck off and throw the keys on top of the Refrigerator in the house.
                    I store my truck Nov 1st - early April every year.
                    I really do nothing special, and this is what the Ford Diesel Mech. told me to do. I would not over think it.


                    Steve
                    Steve
                    2018 Reflection 303
                    2023 F350 Lariat, 4 x 4 CCSB.
                    Diesel, Star White.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      howson I can tell you the DEF fluid in our truck is a year old. Right now we have not been towing or putting a lot of miles on the truck. So far I have not gotten a DEF quality message. I thought it would go thru the fluid faster than it has. And of course it was too expensive to simply add a drain plug.
                      2022 Momentum 397THS-R 12/3/2021
                      Traded 2021 Reflection 337
                      2020 Chevy Silverado 3500 DRW
                      Formerly M&K337

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        You are talking 5 months of sitting, if you get your diesel some place where it is fresh l don’t think alge will be a problem in that timeframe. I see vehicles that have sat for extended periods pretty regularly without issues to the transmission or engine. I do prefer to start and drive something once a month if possible. Batteries would be the biggest concern, I agree either disconnect or hook to a battery minder/maintainer.
                        2022 Momentum 397THS-R 12/3/2021
                        Traded 2021 Reflection 337
                        2020 Chevy Silverado 3500 DRW
                        Formerly M&K337

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I'm just jealous y'all have so much money you can afford to have an expensive vehicle on the side
                          Allen

                          2021 Momentum 21G

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by acoleman43 View Post
                            I'm just jealous y'all have so much money you can afford to have an expensive vehicle on the side
                            Actually quite the opposite. I don't want to make an expensive mistake due to my ignorance related to this unplanned "downtime" for my truck.

                            I appreciate and am grateful for the counsel from the members that (obviously) have much more experience in this area than I do.
                            Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

                            2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by acoleman43 View Post
                              I'm just jealous y'all have so much money you can afford to have an expensive vehicle on the side
                              I have a Corp Vehicle, that I'm allowed to drive as I pay a monthly fee for that privilege. So, why not keep the miles off my personal vehicles.
                              Of course, in a year or slightly over a year, I will be retiring and that "perk" will come to an end.

                              I do miss driving my truck while in storage, but with the "Michigan Salt Projects" during the storage time each year, it does save a lot of rust.
                              Steve
                              2018 Reflection 303
                              2023 F350 Lariat, 4 x 4 CCSB.
                              Diesel, Star White.

                              Comment

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