Heat woes continue...

[MarkEagleUSA]

I really want to help you get this fixed with as little effort as possible.

And I appreciate the help and concern. There's a bunch of guys here that go out of their way to help others. I just hope that someday I can return the favor.

 

[Ozymandias]

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I did notice that the fan was turning slowly this afternoon while the truck was warming up. It shouldn't engage until the temps come up, correct?

The Fan is allways Turning with Engine running. Just from Dragging. With a scantool you can see desired and actual Fan speed.

Winterfront, at 0°C i keep mine completely closed.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

climbing big grades, etc...many times that would be the only chance you had to get warm all day...

I get it now. I need to drive uphill... both ways!

 

[mwilson]

I get it now. I need to drive uphill... both ways!

Exactly!!!! Tow your neighbor to work for a few days as a Christmas present even...

 

[KParsons]

the winter cover i made,blocks everything. i made it out of an old pool liner. it made a big difference. before that it would take forever to warm up.lightly loaded it might not ever got hot.

 

[AH64ID]

lightly loaded it might not ever got hot.

That seems excessive. I've been sub zero without any winter front and it will get hot within 20 miles even lightly loaded. It makes me think your thermostat doesn't fully seat shut, or you run the fan on 4 before the motor warms up.

 

[KParsons]

you could be right. like new this way.

 

[Ozymandias]

That seems excessive. I've been sub zero without any winter front and it will get hot within 20 miles even lightly loaded. It makes me think your thermostat doesn't fully seat shut, or you run the fan on 4 before the motor warms up.

What is hot? 110°C or just the usually warm 94°C on a flat highway?
I think I've never seen my truck hot because I dont pull trailers at all.

 

[AH64ID]

What is hot? 110°C or just the usually warm 94°C on a flat highway?
I think I've never seen my truck hot because I dont pull trailers at all.

Cracking temp is hot to me, or at least up to temp. Cracking is 190° F or 87°C.

 

[JR]

I might of missed it but you verified your running a 190 stat? I believe I remember seeing 180 stats as an option for the early 3rd gen before. This is by no means an appropriate fix, but if you find no other relief you could pop in a 200* stat for 2010-2012 6.7 - provided you don't work your engine at heavy loads. I'm not familiar enough with the temp engagement of the early 3rd gens fans but I did run one in my 98 when we had a few miserable winter's and I had to daily drive it because we were down a vehicle. Made a noticeable difference.

Definitely not the correct fix but if you get desperate it is an option to get you through (provided no blend door problems).

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

I might of missed it but you verified your running a 190 stat?

It had an aftermarket 190 in it when I put in the Cummins 190 in on Saturday.

 

[AH64ID]

3rd gen fans are ECM controlled around the 190° thermostat. A 180° thermostat would be at the "max allowable" temp with minimal fan operation, and a 200° thermostat would run the fan more than needed.

When we got UDC Pro and fan control I was planning on switching to a 200° thermostat since it should yeild slightly more power and fuel economy; however, I have changed my mind.

Ram went to a 200° thermostat for a couple years in an effort to improve mileage and reduce regens, but they went back to the 190° in 2013. I can only guess, pure speculation, that they weren't happy with the results. I wonder if the oil ran too hot with a 200° thermostat, or maybe it didn't do what they hoped. Anyhow, I have since decided to stick with my 190°.

 

[Ozymandias]

Cracking temp is hot to me, or at least up to temp. Cracking is 190° F or 87°C.

Ah ok, that is warm to me, maybe a difference between englisch an german. For us this is just running temperatur or warm. Thank you

 

[AH64ID]

Ah ok, that is warm to me, maybe a difference between englisch an german. For us this is just running temperatur or warm. Thank you

Gotcha. It is running temperature, which to me is hot but not overheating. Hot can sound like it’s too hot, and warm can sound like it’s too cold

I guess operating temperature is the best term.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Don't want to get too excited but I went out this morning to run some errands. It was around 25° when I started the truck (had been plugged in overnight) and spent about 5 minutes moving it and then removing the plow. When I was done with that I got in to head out. Turned the heat on just to see and it was blowing warm air! I drove about 3 miles and the heat was actually comfortable (temp gauge still wasn't at normal temp). Another couple of miles the temp gauge got to 190-ish as I got to my first stop. Was out of the truck about 15-20 minutes and then headed to stop #2. Still blowing warm air even on blower speed 2. Drove about 20 miles at speed on the highway and never got the "wash out" to cooler air from the heater... she just kept blowing warm, comfortable air. What a difference!

I think that this is all due to the new t-stat. I'm guessing the old one was either opening too early or not fully shutting allowing all that cold coolant from the radiator to get cycled through the block. I need to run out again later this afternoon and will be curious to see if this continues. It sure felt good to have a good, constant flow of warm air from the heater. The only way I was able to get the air to blow cooler was to crank the blower up to 4, but even then the temp was still on the warm side.

The next few days here are supposed to only be in the teens during the day and low single digits at night. Keeping fingers crossed that maybe I've solved a big part of my heat woes.

 

[mwilson]

That's encouraging for sure!!! Doesn't take much cold water sneaking by to make a big difference...

 

[AH64ID]

Hopefully the warming trend continues!



I drove the truck this morning and played with the heater fan a little.

The temp at my house was 15° and the coolant was 18°. I started the truck and drove from the shop to the house and ran in to grab my coffee/wallet. When I left a few minutes later the coolant was 68°. I put the heater to defrost, full hot, and the fan on 2.

I was driving pretty slow this morning due to thick freezing fog and snow covered roads. I didn't get above 45 the whole drive.

It took about 3 miles to get the coolant to 150°, I then placed the fan on 3 and it made a noticeable effect on warmup. It took about 5 more miles to get to 170°. I think put the fan on 4 and it stalled at 175° for a minute or so and then crept up to 180°, I put the fan back on 2 and within 1/2 mile the thermostat opened up.

Despite the cold soaked truck I started to feel warmth and comfortable when the coolant got to 140-150°.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

That's encouraging for sure!!!

Yes, and hopefully not premature.

Doesn't take much cold water sneaking by to make a big difference...

I think I have a better understanding about the overall cooling system. If nothing else, being up to normal operating temp on the gauge doesn't mean anything when it comes to cabin heat.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

It was 16° this morning. Truck was plugged in overnight and I started it about 5 minutes before I left. Within 3-4 miles from home I started feeling "warm" air from the vents. At about the halfway point to work the truck was up to temp on the gauge, the heater kept blowing warmer, and it never washed out. It was actually comfortable in the cab on the second half of the trip. I can't believe a t-stat could make so much difference! The next couple of days should be really telling...

 

[jgillott]

That's good to hear. I hope it continues to work well for you.

It's 3 where I am currently. Going out to start the truck as soon as this coffee is finished. I'm in a nice urban hotel with Tesla charging stations just across the street. The smoke and sputter show that my '07 is about to make should be priceless.