Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Grid Heaters, are they really necessary?

[HookMeUp]

Do you really need them? At what temp will the moter start without the grid heaters? I was looking on the GDP website, they had a comparasion photo of the intake heater block to their replacement block, not much room for air to flow.

 

[Partyat33]

Its really difficult to start below 40 degrees. Much less than that and its nearly impossible. Makes a ton of smoke too !

 

[bmoeller]

Being in Nebraska, you better keep them. Will regret it otherwise.

My '97 will start at 35* without waiting for the grids to complete a cycle, but need them below that.

 

[WestTN]

Wait until next winter and unplug the solenoid leads. you can test the temperature range yourself. Better yet, put a switch in series. Then, when it wont start, you can flip it on and fire up. then you will know for sure.

 

[PKozlowski]

I live in Anchorage and my starts just fine at zero with no waiting on the grid heater. Doesn't really smoke either.

 

[HookMeUp]

Ok then how much do the grid heaters restrict air flow?

 

[PKozlowski]

Now that is a good question. (that I can't answer. hehehe)

 

[Huff N Puff]

I havn't had grid heaters for years

Ok then how much do the grid heaters restrict air flow?

The truck starts and runs great above 20 deg f below that I plug it in. I don't think it would make any difference exept at WOT.

 

[mhenon]

My grids have been un-hooked for a few years now. I don't spend my winters here at home (Idaho) so it doesn't matter much. If you can plug in on cold nights you don't need grid heaters at all. I have started the truck in the mid teens without the grids but it wasn't very happy. Don't know how low it will go.

Mike

 

[jwilliams3]

Just takes longer to start in anything less than 60 degrees or so.

I ran mine most of the winter with no grids and it started but took a while.

It would even start in 0 degree weather, just white smoked like a freight train.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Plugged in or not? If not plugged in, I would have to see it to believe it.

I live in Anchorage and my starts just fine at zero with no waiting on the grid heater. Doesn't really smoke either.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Wiercummin had a nice fix for them. He got a an "open on rise" oil pressure switch and ran the grounds from the grid heaters to the switch to ground. Then the grid heaters operate on start up but as soon as the engine starts the grid heaters are turned off.



My 01 would start @ 19F w/o the grid heaters and no smoke. The 98 will start but smokes like a 1900's steam train.

 

[BTowler]

So the answer is yes you can ditch them to increase airflow? Living in San Antonio we usually don't see much below 40 other than a few weeks to a month out of the year.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Yes, you can ditch them.



But I remember a few years ago someone ran a dyno w & w/o the grid heaters and saw no detectable improvement. But that is an old memory... If you see otherwise please post.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Unhooked mine 2 years ago....

One of the best mods I have ever done. Just unhooked the brown wire ('94) leading to the solenoids from the + left side battery. If I ever run into problems I can hook it back up in a matter of seconds. But keep in mind the coldest I have started it was about 15°. I have found the best way is to hit the starter & don't give the engine any throttle. The engine will shake a little bit, and may smoke but after about 30 seconds it runs fine.



If you give it throttle, it starts rougher.



No more heavy battery draw.



The grid heaters are in place for emmissions reasons (from what I have read).