Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-19-2015, 08:05 AM   #1
Skoolie
 
OMGIBoughtABus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The Lovely PNW
Posts: 145
Year: 1986
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: Cat 3208
Rated Cap: 84 px
How often to start and run the bus?

DW's father spent over 30 years as a diesel mechanic in Seattle and Oroville, WA, and on his recommendation I've been starting up the bus and running it for at least 15 minutes once a week, then bleeding the air tanks when I'm done. I plan to do that while it's parked and I'm still converting it so it stays in running condition (one of the things I hate when looking at bus ads is "it ran when parked x years ago").

Just wondering, what do other folks do to keep your bus ready to go while it's parked?

__________________
����
OMGIBoughtABus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 08:16 AM   #2
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
I start mine up about twice a month on average.
I let it warm up for fifteen mins or so, then i drive it around a little.
Draining the tanks afterwards is a good idea.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 11:28 AM   #3
Bus Crazy
 
M1031A1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
Every two weeks she is fired up and tanks bled......
__________________
Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. — George Washington
M1031A1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 11:32 AM   #4
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Posts: 1,791
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: B3800 Short bus
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 36
From my own research and deductions it seems to be best to winterize the vehicle and then leave it alone. If you're worried about the batteries then take them inside and put them on a trickle charger. I leave mine connected and periodically charge the batteries throughout the winter. Make sure the coolant has an appropriate ratio of water to antifreeze and the necessary SCAs. Fill the fuel tank all the way. Put some stabilizer in it if it pleases you (again, I don't and have not had any problems. Diesel stores well).

Intermittently starting and idling a diesel does it no good. It will not get up to proper operating temperature and thus diesel and moisture from the air will condense on the cylinder walls (called cylinder wash). It will contaminate the oil and reduce lubrication in the cylinders. Many people run intermittently throughout storage, but it doesn't make it the right thing to do.
__________________
My build page: Armageddon - The Smell of Airborne Rust
jazty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 11:34 AM   #5
Bus Crazy
 
M1031A1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
Allow me to amend my post. Usually every two weeks I'm driving somewhere to get a quote on some work, so I kinda mis-led y'all. Sorry.
__________________
Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. — George Washington
M1031A1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 11:42 AM   #6
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
99% of all engine damage is done in the first 30 seconds to 3 min of the engine running. This is due to expansion and contraction of internal components, and lack of lubrication.

To needlessly start a large diesel engine is just doing it damage.

15 min is not even enough to bring the large engine up to operating temperature.

Without bringing the engine to operating temperature, the oil never gets hot enough to evaporate the water accumulated from condensation. The condensation is caused by changes from hot to cold. Starting / shutting down.
So with repeated short runs of 15 min, the oil will just collect more and more water, leading to engine damage.

As jazty mentioned, it's best to winterize your engine, and leave it alone.

We run a fleet of 400 buses. We don't go around messing with the spares unless they are needed.

If I was to start all 5 Cummins engines I own, I would wear them out before they ever landed in a finished project.

Nat
__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."

Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
nat_ster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 11:53 AM   #7
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
I know I'll not be that guy with a bus that "started when parked 5 years ago".
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 12:02 PM   #8
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
I know I'll not be that guy with a bus that "started when parked 5 years ago".
No, you will be the guy with a messed up engine from short cycling it.

I would never buy a bus from someone doing so.

It's like buying a car from someone that only ever drove it to the store a block away. The engine would be toast, but the rest of the car would be low miles.

Far more damaging than leaving it alone.

I'm starting to see why your engine starts so easily from small 12 volt battery's. I wonder how much compression is left in each cylinder. Newer, factory compression engines take far more power to turn over when starting.
Your engine is likely has vary low compression.

Nat
__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."

Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
nat_ster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 12:21 PM   #9
Skoolie
 
OMGIBoughtABus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The Lovely PNW
Posts: 145
Year: 1986
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner
Engine: Cat 3208
Rated Cap: 84 px
Great, another thread goes in the crapper from the Frick/Frack Bros.

Sorry I even asked.

Thanks to those that gave good information without sniping at each other. I'll take it all into consideration.

I'm outta this thread.
__________________
����
OMGIBoughtABus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 02:01 PM   #10
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Posts: 1,791
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: B3800 Short bus
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
I start my bus every couple weeks and DRIVE it....
This is the big thing: driving it. That's fine. If you need to move it around from time to time then go for it; let that engine spin by giving it a reasonable drive. That being said, I still wouldn't recommend starting it and driving it just because you don't want it sitting around. There's no reason for it.

- full tank of diesel;
- top off the oil;
- appropriate antifreeze/water ratio; and
- battery minder.

Then it can sit happily for many, many months.
__________________
My build page: Armageddon - The Smell of Airborne Rust
jazty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 02:14 PM   #11
Bus Nut
 
charles_m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Denver
Posts: 489
Year: 1982
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: International S1800
Engine: DT466 Trans: MT643
Rated Cap: 65
I like to leave a small radio in the engine compartment with the classical music station on. I find it keeps the engine much more inclined to start after sitting for months and months....
My goal is to only start the engine if I know Ill be able to get it under load and up to temp for at least 15 minutes. Of course, that doesnt always happen, but Im totally fine letting my girl sit for months and months. My ideal scenario would be to only start the bus if Im going on a trip of 10 miles or more. Ive seen 2 buses whos engines need new rings directly as a result of extended over idling and all the damage was done in a matter of 4 weeks while the buses were being rented to a tour company. They idled the buses to keep the heaters on for about 2 hours per day which means the engines sat there running with coolant temps around 120. They came back burning oil like crazy belching blue smoke. Two strokes are even more sensitive.
If ya got nowhere to go, id let it sit.
__________________
Patina enthusiast and professional busman
www.bustoshow.org
Blog: www.lookatthatbus.com
Instragram: @lookatthatbus
charles_m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 02:20 PM   #12
Bus Nut
 
charles_m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Denver
Posts: 489
Year: 1982
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: International S1800
Engine: DT466 Trans: MT643
Rated Cap: 65
Id also say that extended periods of warm up idling are also not a good idea unless it is very cold outside. The bus will warm up faster under moderate loads than idling for ages. The longest Id feel like letting a bus idle (high idle around 1200-1500rpm) would be 5 minutes on the coldest day before getting moving in it. Diesels need a load. No load idling is a waste of fuel and your engine!
The best solution to all of this is a diesel fired coolant heater to preheat your engine before starting. The next best would be a plug in block heater.
__________________
Patina enthusiast and professional busman
www.bustoshow.org
Blog: www.lookatthatbus.com
Instragram: @lookatthatbus
charles_m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 02:32 PM   #13
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15



Enjoying a Sunday drive in bus #50.
Not hurting anyone, or the bus.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 02:44 PM   #14
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
I miss the REAL Frick & Frack though.
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 02:49 PM   #15
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Posts: 1,791
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: B3800 Short bus
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Not hurting anyone, or the bus.
Nope. And if you're enjoying yourself then have at it! No problem there. However, the point still stands that it isn't a necessity. Winterizing is fine. Cruising is fun, though.
__________________
My build page: Armageddon - The Smell of Airborne Rust
jazty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 05:10 PM   #16
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Totally agreed there, Jazty.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 10:07 PM   #17
Bus Nut
 
charles_m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Denver
Posts: 489
Year: 1982
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: International S1800
Engine: DT466 Trans: MT643
Rated Cap: 65
Man, EastCoast, I didn't know a Ward Senator was the same as an Amtran Genesis, at least from the insides in the video. Down to the bolt!
__________________
Patina enthusiast and professional busman
www.bustoshow.org
Blog: www.lookatthatbus.com
Instragram: @lookatthatbus
charles_m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2015, 10:15 PM   #18
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Yep, on the 92's and 93's the AmTran Genesis was labeled as the Ward Senator out here.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2015, 06:49 AM   #19
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 27
The recommendation I got from a local truck driver who works with diesel engines for a living was to start her up at least twice a week and let her run for a half hour after she's been winterized. So is this recommendation wrong?
Brie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2015, 07:10 AM   #20
Bus Crazy
 
somewhereinusa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Andrews,Indiana
Posts: 2,430
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: AARE
Engine: 3116 Cat 250hp
Rated Cap: Just the two of us.
Something to consider. From the reading I have done your tires need to be "exercised" regularly to get longest life out of them. They really don't do well just sitting and covering them up has no real value. Also, just starting the engine and getting it up to temp isn't long enough to dry out the exhaust system.
I recommend about once a month drive on the hiway far enough to get tires warm, ten miles out should be enough.
somewhereinusa is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:50 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.