I have a 2001 ford SCrew with the 4.6. I will be going on my first deployment with the Air Force and was wondering how long my truck can sit without being started before things start to freeze up and lock up. I will be parking my truck on base in San Antonio so there wont be any way that a family member can start it up for me. My deployment from what they originally told me will be 7 months but being a Pararescuemen I am told to not be surprised if im over there for a year. Thanks guys.

 

That shouldn't be a problem. Change the oil before you park it, put some stabilizer in the gas, fill it up, and drive it from the gas station to the storage yard. Go get 4 carpet squares and put one under each tire. Get one of those things to put on the dash against the windshield to block the sun from cooking the dashboard and interior. If you have manual A/C, leave it in the PANEL position to let it breathe.

 

thanks for the quick response. What exactly are the carpet squares for? im guessing to keep the tires a little cooler from sitting on the pavement?

 

It will help keep the tires from flatspotting real bad and dryrotting.

Oh - also disconnect the battery.

 

Which position is panel? "Pull from exterior" or "recirculate?"

Happy deployment (if that's possible) and thank you for your service

 

"Panel" on the 97-03 is fresh air vent.

Max AC
AC
Panel
Off
Panel & Floor
Floor
Floor & Def
Def

 

I'd probably disconnect the battery for it sitting that long..

 

Cool.

 

Thanks KMAC landing in enemy fire and rescuing wounded soldiers wont be to bad of a job. Only problem is the family and girlfriend are a little worred

 

Mouse decon packs wouldn't be a bad idea also.
Destructive critters they are.

 

Your going to still have issues with the truck when you get back.
The biggest is usually the gas goes bad.
Don't know how long Stabil is good for under these conditions. Knowing this, and having enough time, I would empty the tank, remove the filter , remove the test port in the fuel rail and blow compressed air through the system to get as much gas out as possible. We have seen to many cases here on the boards of trucks setting long periods of time almost always have a hassle getting things cleared up after trying to restart and having ongoing problems.
Gas actually begins to go bad after as little as 9 weeks.
The formulation is composed of a number of chemicals. Some are called light ends and evaporate or separate leaving the heavier elements to turn toward gel and lose ability to fire.
When restarting, there are additives now to add to 'fresh gas' to dissolve any heavy elements left from time. These are usually found in a small engine department for power equipment that is left over winter or summer until used the next time. Many small engines no longer have outside adjustments so need some help to clean them out for starting and running the next time they are put into service.
Note that you cannot make 'old gas' good again with additives.
The battery has to be disconnected or it will go flat, reverse polarity and never be able to recharge to full capacity, then needs to be replaced. In addition if there is very low winter temps, a discharged battery can freeze and break the case.
Thank you for your service to out country and good luck.

 

http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/sta-bil-faqs

How long will STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer® keep fuel fresh?

STA-BIL® Fuel Stabilizer will keep fuel fresh for up to 12 months, guaranteed. Depending on the quality, type and source of the gasoline, as well as storage conditions, doubling the dosage rate of STA-BIL® brand could prolong this storage time to up to 2 years. However, any gasoline stored for more than 12 months will tend to lose volatility (ignitability), which could lead to hard starting or no start conditions after this long storage period. NO additive, STA-BIL® brand included, will prevent volatility loss in fuel.

To reduce fuel volatility loss during storage, we recommend filling your tank at least 95% fulll with fresh fuel and STA-BIL® brand, and store in cool conditions away from direct sunlight if possible. If you forget to stabilize your fuel prior to storage and do experience problems starting your equipment after storage, we recommend trying our StartYourEngines!® Fuel System Revitalizer product.

 

the gas will be fine. Especially in warm weather Texas.Do what glc said the stabilizer. I have set project cars out for years before and the gas still was ok. That was here in Utah were weather goes to extremes both ways. A year really isnt that long.

 

And they're justified in being worried, but they'll be alright as long as you make it back safely. I pray for you all (military boys and girls) every night, stay safe!

 

Yeah...don't do this, folks.

For those not in the know, that's a potential bomb waiting to go off. Compressed air = potential static source. That + fuel vapors = bye-bye.

If you just have to purge such a setup, try nitrogen instead. That's actually inert. Just don't knock yourself for good out doing that if you go that far.

Otherwise, having to lug a few five-gallon jugs over to dilute some stale gas isn't that bad an idea.