Winter running ....or not?

[Pagen]

presumably whilst not being used during winter I should occasionally start and leave running my Motorhome engine? If so how long for? Any tips ? Ta

 

[scotjimland]

no.. that is probably the worst thing you can do ..

take it out and give it a good run.. up to motorway speeds.. for at least 30 mins.

idling will block up the DPF, and it won't be able to do a regen, glaze the bores and I think may also damage the catalytic converter

Not taking it out won't do any damage,, engines don't have memories

 

[sweetie]

Should never be left ticking over! It needs to have at least a 20 mile run so everything gets up to operating temperature about once a month if you can

 

[Lenny HB]

As Jim & sweetie say, worse thing you can do with a modern engine.

 

[Podney]

Take it out once a month and do 30 miles or so,and do a mixture of driving,so that clutch,gearbox,brakes.....the lot,get used. Keep the diesel tank full is recommended by some

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[Wildbill]

Just use the thing all year round its a motorhome not a carivan.
For all it takes to just carry sum water
There's lods of places open during the winter
Bill

 

[138go]

You could try using it during the winter. We took ours up to Derbyshire on Christmas Day, took the dog for a walk, had a snack lunch and back home for a full roast with all the trimmings. Off to Northumberland next week and the Bournemouth later in January. It really does not do them a lot of good just sitting around. They are after all a commercial vehicle that was designed to be used daily. We have covered just over 21,000 miles in just over 2 years.

 

[Pagen]

Thank you all for that sound advice. Would have been out and about In the last month or so but Mrs been fairly poorly. She’s a bit better now so fingers crossed for the odd day or so out. All the best for the New Year. Paul.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Keep the diesel tank full

 

[EuroTrotters]

I haver just fitted one of these

http://lfbros.com/enproductshow.php?cid=33&id=69

To My Sprinter (not motorhome). My other Sprinters, I always had Diesel Water Pre-heaters and PTC boost heaters.

But my new Sprinter had nothing. It cost me £40 and I fitted it in under 30 mins. All I have to do is plug in 30 mins before I leave on freezing cold mornings.

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[jo10000_6]

Guys - in the same note but not for a modern motorhome - mines a 1993 diesel Ducato.

I do take for usually a 30 mile run no longer than every 2 weeks - ideally 10 days as the brakes can stick but will ease off.

Now with an older engine I did read to let tick over prior to using (not just tickover and switch off - I don’t do that.) - 5/10 mins

No DPF to worry about thank god I will leave that to the cars I have.

Would you say to tickover is bad for this age van ?

Also use in winter - at least 1
Weekend more of poss.

Thanks
Jo

 

[Lenny HB]

Not as bad as a new van with a CAT & DPF but still not good. Problem with diesels is on tickover from starting they never get up to full operating temperature for a very long time so you can still end up with glazed bores

 

[Just smiffy]

Thank you all for that sound advice. Would have been out and about In the last month or so but Mrs been fairly poorly. She’s a bit better now so fingers crossed for the odd day or so out. All the best for the New Year. Paul.

Get a big bottle of water, a picnic hamper and drive to a nice beach/lake view, put the heating on, nice cup of tea and a sarnie all cosy looking at a great view and the Mrs will get a lot better soon.....

 

[h1ghway1]

I normally run mine every weekend on a 30 mile trip over town,rural, motorway if I'm not going away... I normally use my van all year round so thats my default ...
its been SORN for a couple of months..due to circumstances
I take it around the local streets for about a 3 mile run... yes.. I know I shouldn't ...taxing again 1/1/19..Happy New Year

 

[Shrimp]

I agree-use the van, why spend all that money just to look at it sitting doing nothing!
Even a 1/2 day out is worth it!

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[Richard n Ann]

Depends on the individual, going out in mid winter would really put me off motorhoming. It's good to leave it parked up until the warmer weather comes, that way you'll look forward to it and enjoy using it more. Our van sits undisturbed for 5 months, no problems whatsoever

 

[Nirvanauk]

Depends on the individual, going out in mid winter would really put me off motorhoming. It's good to leave it parked up until the warmer weather comes, that way you'll look forward to it and enjoy using it more. Our van sits undisturbed for 5 months, no problems whatsoever

Couldn’t agree more. Can’t imagine anything worse than being parked up at Whitby when it’s chucking it down, day after day , with a dog that’s just been swimming in the sea, now stinking and no where to dry her off. Each to there own I say.

 

[CazPaul]

Depends on the individual, going out in mid winter would really put me off motorhoming. It's good to leave it parked up until the warmer weather comes, that way you'll look forward to it and enjoy using it more. Our van sits undisturbed for 5 months, no problems whatsoever

Do you take any special precautions Richard regarding the engine, batteries etc, do you leave it on hook up?

 

[Richard n Ann]

Do you take any special precautions Richard regarding the engine, batteries etc, do you leave it on hook up?

It's on hook up but I disconnect the vans own charger as it's just a 13.8v power supply. I've got an optimate 2 on the leisure battery, which can only deliver 0.8 amps so no chance of it getting hot under a fault condition. The engine battery has got a Lidl 3.8 amp charger/maintainer on it.
It's in a garage so the solar panel is inactive.

I don't do anything to the engine or tyres, just in gear with handbrake off.