I have a ford transit diesel camper van if it is laid up for a few months will it do any harm to the engine, although I start it up once a week and let the engine run for about 20 mins.
2006-12-19 06:14:49 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Leaving an engine idling for 20 minutes under no load will only serve to polish the bores - you basically end up with a smoky engine! Either take the van for a good run or do what I do with marine diesels - change the oil before lay up, give it a run to get the fresh oil round the system and then leave well alone.
If you can park on level ground, leave the handbrake off and chock the wheels - only do this if you can guarantee that no fool will take the chocks away though (you must also leave it in gear).
If you can take the battery out and leave in in your garage so you can give it a regular charge this will stop it deteriorating, alternatively if you are afraid you will lose radio codes/alarm then consider getting a battery maintenance charger which you can connect to keep it in top condition.
2006-12-19 11:35:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No harm in parking it up, for a while as long as all the fluids are ok, I would suggest at least 30-40 minutes for the engine to run and to actually move it for a couple of miles each time. Hope this helps.
2006-12-19 06:19:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you're going to start it up then you should take it for a drive as well so you don't lose a bearing or some of your suspension
also apply/release the parking brake, run the a/c, and make sure the brakes get used.
2006-12-19 06:27:48 · answer #3 · answered by assmouth p 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no ..it will do no harm ..providing the antifreeze is of the right strength ..running it once a week is fine .all so..jack up vehicle put on axle stands this is to get wheels clear of road and no weight on wheels ..leave handbrake off ..rotate wheels and apply brakes occasionally important for vehicle to be on level axle stands to prevent vehicle rolling back
2006-12-22 23:16:53 · answer #4 · answered by boy boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fire it up once a week, rock it backwards and forwards in gear. Also park it in gear with the handbrake off to stop the brakes rusting on.
2006-12-19 10:47:01 · answer #5 · answered by cedley1969 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
do not leave engine ticking over, will not do it any good with no load on it. Many people do but is not good for the engine. If you start it up, take it for ashort drive.Cheers
2006-12-19 08:01:07 · answer #6 · answered by eliot e 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a load on the coast of Ceredigion in West Wales, beautiful coastline. Most of them are very nice.
2016-05-22 21:32:16 · answer #7 · answered by Darlene 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋