Motorhome not used in over a year - precautions on first start up

C

Cardeau

Joined
Apr 1, 2012
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Location
Sarratt, Hertfordshire
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20,352
MH
Coachbuilt 2 berth
Exp
Since 2012
Due to being out of the country working our motorhome has sadly not been used for over a year.

I intend to get the dead starter battery replaced asap and get her back up and running. Prior to being left a full service was completed. I'm probably going to replace tyres (approx 3 years old) due to potential flat spotting and replace the habitation battery as well as getting an MOT and habitation service.

Once the starter battery is replaced are there any precautions I need to take before the first startup? Has anyone been in a similar situation and are there any other potential issues that I need to take into account? (Apart from keeping fingers crossed!!) Thanks in advance.
 
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Many posts here on airbag/ecu fault due to low starter battery. Check them out as it could save you a lot of money.
 
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Watched a programme recently where the fuel, (it was petrol) was not supplied initially but the engine was cranked nevertheless.
The reason was to get the oil circulating around the engine at cranking speed into the oilways before ignition .Seemed like a good idea to me.

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Emmit said:
Watched a programme recently where the fuel, (it was petrol) was not supplied initially but the engine was cranked nevertheless.
The reason was to get the oil circulating around the engine at cranking speed into the oilways before ignition .Seemed like a good idea to me.
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Getting some oil sloshing through the galleries and through the valvetrain before it coughs to life might help a little. Some vehicles will not run the injectors if you crank with the accelerator flat on the floor.
 
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If the handbrake is seized on, release brake lever, put a socket and extension bar on a wheel nut and hit it repeatedly with a heavy lump hammer until free.
Repeat on other side.
Seized brakes need shock, not torque.
If its on a slope chock the front wheels.

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Reallyretired said:
Should be OK if left fairly full. Petrol goes off, but diesel should be left full to exclude as muck air and moisture as possible.
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Should be OK if full but if not it can get diesel bug.

https://www.fueltek.co.uk/what-is-the-diesel-bug-and-how-can-you-avoid-it/


Screenshot_20240718-182116.png
 
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pappajohn said:
Should be OK if full but if not it can get diesel bug.

https://www.fueltek.co.uk/what-is-the-diesel-bug-and-how-can-you-avoid-it/


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Absolutely I've had it. Present mh had not been used for a year when I bought it. Tank less than quarter full. Filter full of sludge. Put in a diesel bug additive and a full tank, change fuel filter an everything eventually OK.

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When you first start the engine make sure all other electrics(lights, fan etc.) are off so max current goes to starter.

Fotunately this time of year oil will not be cold.

After, or before, start and before moving check gearbox oil.
 
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A non starting dead key is handy, it can used to open and close doors, and it's not bothered about getting wet as it has no chip.
Additionally, I use our dead key after an oil change to crank the engine over till oil pressure is achieved.
Just don't mix the the key up with your other keys, otherwise your sitting in an Aire cranking the engine and having a melt down because the van won't start, till the penny drops, and then ALL the other vans give a big cheer and hearty wave:rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
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Diesel has historically been bulletproof but sadly thats not the case since we’ve had B7 fuel, if it is not the best quality then there is a possibility that the water can separate from the FAME biofuel element but very unlikely with a Branded fuel.

Don’t worry about the tyres flat spotting, they will sort themselves out after a few miles (we used to say 10 on MOD vehicles), it’s worth having a good look at the tyres for obvious damage though as sunlight can degrade them but again unlikely on a 3 year old tyre.
 
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on the handbrake, release the lever and if the shoes are still locked on, use a socket and long bar on one bolt with an piece of pipe to extend it. Bounce up and down on the bar with your full weight and it should break loose. Repeat on the other side. Unplug the electrical connector on the end of the injector rail. Check fuel filter for water and oil. Then crank it over a few times before reconnecting the rail. It will circulate the oil and prime the pump

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Daffy64 said:
Diesel has historically been bulletproof but sadly thats not the case since we’ve had B7 fuel, if it is not the best quality then there is a possibility that the water can separate from the FAME biofuel element but very unlikely with a Branded fuel.

Don’t worry about the tyres flat spotting, they will sort themselves out after a few miles (we used to say 10 on MOD vehicles), it’s worth having a good look at the tyres for obvious damage though as sunlight can degrade them but again unlikely on a 3 year old tyre.
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Good advice! ✔️
 
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Cardeau said:
Due to being out of the country working our motorhome has sadly not been used for over a year.

I intend to get the dead starter battery replaced asap and get her back up and running. Prior to being left a full service was completed. I'm probably going to replace tyres (approx 3 years old) due to potential flat spotting and replace the habitation battery as well as getting an MOT and habitation service.

Once the starter battery is replaced are there any precautions I need to take before the first startup? Has anyone been in a similar situation and are there any other potential issues that I need to take into account? (Apart from keeping fingers crossed!!) Thanks in advance.
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How did it go?
 
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nicholsong said:
When you first start the engine make sure all other electrics(lights, fan etc.) are off so max current goes to starter.

Fotunately this time of year oil will not be cold.

After, or before, start and before moving check gearbox oil.
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Interestingly I was told put headlights on starting so you don't voltage spike the ECU?
 
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Cardeau said:
Due to being out of the country working our motorhome has sadly not been used for over a year.

I intend to get the dead starter battery replaced asap and get her back up and running. Prior to being left a full service was completed. I'm probably going to replace tyres (approx 3 years old) due to potential flat spotting and replace the habitation battery as well as getting an MOT and habitation service.

Once the starter battery is replaced are there any precautions I need to take before the first startup? Has anyone been in a similar situation and are there any other potential issues that I need to take into account? (Apart from keeping fingers crossed!!) Thanks in advance.
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According to my Garage Dont start the Engine when plugged in to the mains this caused a spike that damaged the ECU airbags £400 for a repair
 
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Whether petrol or diesel, whether the engine hasn't been started from cold for a day , week or a year , do not rev from tickover immediately this is causes more damage to engines than driving them hard once a engine is warm I didn't realise this until I went on a Wellworthy piston course.
 
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