Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) How to Increase Heater Temperature Output ??

[Katmandu]

Yea, yea I KNOW..... Diesels run COLD... . yadda yadda yadda...

Cold weather is just around the corner and my cabin heater SUCKS! :-laf

Anyways, I own a 98 12 Valver and my Engine Temp gauge rarely goes up much past 140.

I know the Cardboard in front of the Radiator trick, but is there anyway else to increase engine temperature or heater output temperature ???



TIA!

ERIC

 

[Woodenhead]

I've spent some cold winters in Northern Ontario and Alberta and here's what I can offer.



Spend a couple bucks and get a cold weather front or grill inserts, don't use a chunk of cardboard against the rad. It'll do weird things to your fan and subject it to cycling stresses it's not designed for and you'll run a higher risk of cracking a blade or two off. I have an exhaust brake and have set up a manual throttle cable for bumping the idle up for winter warmup. I'll fire it up and idle at 1000rpm with the exhaust brake on while I have breakfast and it'll be smokin hot in the cab when I come out. When cruising with the grill inserts my temp gauge cycles in the winter just like it does in the summer, even at -30F. I wonder if you might need a new thermostat.



That's all I got.



Mike

 

[CumminsPower98]

If your temp never gets above 140 you must have a t-stat problem for starters. Next you need to make sure your heater core is flushed out and clean. I have run in as low as -15 and been able to stay warm just fine with no winter front at all.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

And then there's the webasto and like branded diesel fuel, catalyst heaters than can preheat your coolant OR be run in booster mode to raise your coolant temp…

 

[tp0d]

http://cgi.ebay.com/L-K-LOT-200W-12...3QQihZ016QQcategoryZ73335QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[McLaughlin]

My 97 never got over 140 until I replaced the thermostat. The shop that took out the old one said one of the rubber gaskets was preventing the thermostat from working correctly.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Yeah, that happens. Mine did the same thing and I saw when it happened. I was driving in the mountains with normal temp and next thing I knew the needle was at the bottom while heading down a hill. Pulled it out and the rubber had slid off one side and stuck it open.

My 97 never got over 140 until I replaced the thermostat. The shop that took out the old one said one of the rubber gaskets was preventing the thermostat from working correctly.

 

[The patriot]

My 98 isnt very warm either. Yea, the gauge goes up, but it's not making a lot of heat in the cab.

We rarley get down to 0 here in S jersey, but I've driven home on some mornings with the heat on high the whole way.

And I generally DO NOT keep my truck's cab warm. Nobody wants to drive with me because it's COLD in there in the winter. :-{}



This is what I did.

I got some pipe insulation and put it around the heater pipes that run from the front of the block to the firewall. That and a winter cover made a definate improvement.

The pipe insulation started to melt after a few weeks... . maybe if it's colder where you are it might work, or try different types.

 

[DieselTim]

Thermo problem

I also had problems with my 98. 5 thermostat. I think they had something messed up when they put a rubber ring around the plate that moves to open and close the thermostat. I had the rubber part swell up and restrict the coolant flow so that my truck ran fine until it was under a load (10,000lb trailer) or 3 digit speeds. I have found that thermostats even new ones may not open when they say they will. I will NEVER install another thermostat without checking it in a pan of water for a temp check, for when it starts to open, when it is wide open and when it closes. I had the bad luck of having 4 out of 5 new ones that were not working right on one car I worked on. I was about to go nuts, until I put all of them in boiling water on the stove and checked them for operation. I picked out the best one and decided right then no more guessing if it will work. I always test before installing even a new one.



Dieseltim

 

[Wasilla Rod]

No fan for me!

I have not ran an engine fan on my 96 for 3 years. I keep it under the back seat and once in a blue moon I have to screw it on the hub. We did this on gassers in the winter since I can remember. I have a large camper and when I am off road in the rough stuff I have to put the fan on because I'm goin so slow -- 4 times this last summer.

I cover the entire front for the winter and when she goes way below zero I put cardboard directly on the intercooler. I also remove the fender to air box boot and cover the fender hole -- this will keep from plugging your filter with snow and keep intake air a little warmer. When you are running in the way below temps that poor little 6 clanger is doing everything it can to just light the fuel so at least run a winter front so the after cooler isn't stuffing it super cooled! If you live in the real cold climes and don't make an effort to to keep your baby warm and give it warm intake air you are putting unburned fuel in your oil and in the air. If you have no winter front and are running an engine fan at forty below, the after cooler is trying kill that poor heat starved Otto cycle!! ALSO-- Disconect the heater hoses and fill/ flush the heater core with a garden hose then give er a toot with an air hose. Be VERY carefull with this routine. Go both directions several times. You will be surprised by the diff this makes on an older rig. This was a yearly ritual on my old ford 6 gasser just to keep the windows clear!

 

[The patriot]

Yea, I forgot to mention I pulled the fan too. It's sometimes a PITA to get it off.

I seem OK w/o it up to about 70-80 degrees as long as I'm moving a little.

That's not towing anything.

 

[Wasilla Rod]

I made a couple of special "wrenches" that make gettin it off a snap. ALSO spin er on all the way and tighten it a bit -- dont just fire up the engine and let er spin home. They jam pretty good if you do that!

 

[Katmandu]

Well I finally got around to pulling out the old thermostat and this is what I found!!

You'll notice the rubber shroud piece is torn and a chunk is missing. Also notice in the yellow circle. The rubber piece is wedged in the opening keeping the thermostat in the OPEN position.

I replaced it with a $19 STANT 190 degree thermostat. Looks cheap as heck, but is working GREAT!!

#ad

 

[DonFitzwater]

Whats that saying? Keep it simple stupid! For God's sake, your in Ohio, not the arctic circle.

 

[Katmandu]

For God's sake, your in Ohio, not the arctic circle.

Have you been here to Ohio ?? It gets ALOT Colder than you think!

I've personel witnessed the temperature being -25F here for (2) days in a row about 12-13 years ago. I lost (2) car batteries at that time.

 

[DonFitzwater]

It's always sunny and warm in Fairbanks... ..... unless it's cold and snowing!