Cold Starts

[Peachman]

I have a '04 / 3500 / 325-600 / 4X4, no mods yet...



I'm unable to plug the truck in during the cold winter months. I searched the archives yesterday and found a couple threads pertaining to this however, there were varying ideas as to how long the truck should be warmed up before taking off, etc... I live right off a 60 mph highway, so I don't have the luxury of going slow for a short period of time for warm up. It's been in the high 20's over the last week, however below zero temps are not uncommon during the winter months. I have been letting it warm up for a couple minutes while I scrap the windows and then I ease it up to highway speed.



Also, is there a diesel additive that you would recommend?



Thoughts, suggestions and comments appreciated.



TIA,

JT

 

[KO_RAM]

I'm not sure how much $$ you want to spend, but Espar makes a real nice engine heater that runs on diesel to warm up your truck without plugging in. It even has a timer for having it come on during the night to have a nice warm truck in the morning. It's a pretty nice toy, but it's also pretty expensive. I think it was over $1300 if I remember You can look at their web site at http://www.espar.com/htm/applies/pickup.htm Someday when I have money I don't know what to do with I might think about it, but for now I can plug in at home in the morning, and when I leave work at night, I can ride in a cold truck



For diesel additive I use Stanadyne Performance Formula (the blue jug).

 

[DHess]

JT,



I think what you're doing is fine. Like KO, I also use the Stanadyne Performance Formula additive.



Dave

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Peachman, I'd give it a couple minutes to start getting some warmth into the motor, then when you get on the freeway accelerate as gradually as you can. Cruising at 60 with a cold motor will not hurt it, it's how fast you try to get it there.



I would suggest looking into a synthetic oil such as Mobil Delvac 1, Amsoil HD diesel 15W40, Premium Blue extreme or Rotella T syn.



Vaughn

 

[rfoust]

How long do you all leave your trucks plugged in?----after having to spend $39. 00 for something that should have already been on the truck.



I generally plug in the truck before I go to bed and let it warm all night--good or bad?

 

[WM-300]

Whe it gets cold up here in the Mountains, My truck is plugged when I finish using it in the late afternoon. The block heater runs all night. I had no problems at -45 below with it starting right up after the grids cycled. But its still a cold hearted beast, takes quite a while to get nice hot air from the heater.



WM_300

 

[DPelletier]

Whe it gets cold up here in the Mountains, My truck is plugged when I finish using it in the late afternoon. The block heater runs all night. I had no problems at -45 below with it starting right up after the grids cycled. But its still a cold hearted beast, takes quite a while to get nice hot air from the heater.



WM_300

A cold hearted beast it may be, but it sure does start alot easier than my buddies PSD's!



Dave

 

[JLovas]

WM-300 has it right. The block heater will keep the coolant quite a bit warmer if you plug it in when warm, rather than letting the coolant getting cold, then pluging it in.



If you don't see anything colder than just single digits below 0, then I would be pretty confident in the Cummin's starting capabilities. When it is cold however, and your pickup isn't pluged in, I would cycle the grid heaters 2 or 3 times.



I'm also a big fan of letting diesels warm way up before driving them. My pickup will often idle for 15-20 minutes before taking off in cold temps. Just make sure your fuel isn't gelled up!!

 

[Rosco]

Peachman, I'd give it a couple minutes to start getting some warmth into the motor, then when you get on the freeway accelerate as gradually as you can. Cruising at 60 with a cold motor will not hurt it, it's how fast you try to get it there.



I would suggest looking into a synthetic oil such as Mobil Delvac 1, Amsoil HD diesel 15W40, Premium Blue extreme or Rotella T syn.



Vaughn

I second what Vaughn says. However, You may wish to give the engine a few miles to break in before switching to the synthetic oil. I waited until 15,000 miles before making the switch to Delvac1 but 10,000 should be acceptable.



You may also wish to have your dealer enable the high idle feature on your truck. This will allow you to use your cruise control buttons to raise the engine speed up from 1,000 to 1,500 RPM in 100 RPM increments.



Finally, I use the Stanadyne Performance Formula in the "one shot" bottles. The small "one shots" are nice so you don't have a stinky opened bottle of additive in your truck.

 

[Rosco]

One more thing. Don't let your truck idle for very long even when using the high idle. I would keep idle time under 5 minutes. When cold, a diesel will have incomplete combustion during idling. This causes raw fuel to wash down the cylinders and dilute your oil.

 

[Peachman]

Thanks to everyone for the responses... Very much appreciated!



JT