truck won't warm up

[cold Diesel]

I'm new to this site and diesels as this is my first one. I hope this isn't covering old ground as the search is disabled now. My problem is that my truck has frozen me all winter long (thankfully the seats warm up though!) I bought it in November last year and loved it until winter hit 2 weeks later. I asked the dealer if there was anything he could do and he said that all diesels are like that. However my neighbor's powerstroke warms up as I asked him about it. Went back and was told all 'dodge diesels' are like that. Since joining I have seen some discussion about the TSB to help this, and the ps high idler. I have a remote starter for my truck which is nice as it is often -40 up here in the north. My dealer still insists that the reflash is only for auto trucks. Is this right? Also if I just get a ps high idler, it is a manual system isn't it? It would probably be a bad idea to start the truck and have it go straight up to 1200 rpm stone cold I figured. Hence my interest in the reflash as I would like to be able to remote start the truck and have it warm up! Any help or suggestions would be appreciated as it is still -20 up here.

Thanks

 

[LSMITH]

How long does it take for it to get to full temp when you are driving? There could be a thermostat problem that is contributing to the problem.



The Cummins is a cold blooded beast. Mine has taken nearly 20 miles at highway speeds before, and that gets old. Your buddies PSD warms up quickly as it has a butterfly in the exhuast that loads the engine when it is cold. The PSD warms quickly, 4-5 minutes at idle even, your Cummins will idle for days and never warm up. If you put an exhuast brake on you will be able to warm it fully in 5 minutes or so idling.

 

[Shooter]

^^^^ what LSMITH said ^^^^^



It takes about 5 min w/ exhaust brake on ( energised, engaged,... . )to be at operating temp idleing.

 

[BRobertson]

The Horton fan clutch made a BIG diff on mine!!!!

 

[cold Diesel]

My truck will warm up in about 10 - 15 miles when I start driving it. I can see the thermostat working as the temp gage will drop and rise once it is warm. Can you leave an exhaust brake set so that it will energise upon startup? Never seen one on a truck before. Also as I see that BRobertson is in Alaska I was wondering if your truck will warm up at idle with the fan clutch installed?

Thanks again

 

[juicedcummins]

You must be in the norhthern part fo ALTA to be that cold. I've spent alot of time there myself either working or living.

The hornton works real well on these things in the cold.

Then you need to block off the grill with inserts. There is a member of the TDR selling them.

After that about a 10inch hole dead centre of the fan in a piece of cardboard. Place this cardboard infront of the radiator betwwen the rad and the intercooler and block the rest off . The size of the hole will depend on the terrain and the size of trailer if any.

This how mine is rigged up and it will cook you out if you want! I only run a 180deg t-stat but a 190 up here would make another big diff.

PS I have the relash for the warm up and it works if you know when it should.

Plugged in it will not work untill temp are below -35C. Even at this temp plugged in it will not do the 3 cyl thing.

Unplugged it will idle up at -1C or lower. IT wil do the 3 cyl thing if under around -9C.

Mine doesn't go straight up to 1200 it takes a couple of minutes so there is no question about oil pres.

As far as the Ps high idler you should be able to hook it to your remote start on your trunk button or if you have extra switches like I do . {mine is an astro start}

This has been my exp.

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

an ehaust brake will work perfect with a high idler. your truck will warm up in minutes at 1200rpm with the exhaust brake. you can turn your exhaust brake on when you shut your truck off and then when it starts it will work. the high idler will work well on it's own but the e-brake will help a lot.



jim

 

[Shovelhead]

On extremely cold days, I use a piece of cardboard with a 5" hole cut in the center, placed between the radiator and the charge air cooler, along with my winter fronts.

It's the ONLY way I can get close to operating temps at highway speeds when very cold outside.

HTH

 

[JHansen]

cold Diesel-where in Alberta abouts are ya? I'm about 1/2 way between Drum and Hanna... . and juicedcummins-are you from Alberta too? There's getting to be quite a collection of Albertans on here!



The E-brake is the hot ticket for warmup. I use mine on real cold days to bring it up to temp before driving..... but I cheat some too. I have an Espar which does a fine job of warming the engine by itself -if the temps are above -25C or so I idle just long enough to fill out my daytimer and log sheet-and then I take off. No high RPM or big boost #'s till the water temp gauge comes up-but it doesn't usually take long with the Espar's preheat. If it's under -25C I follow the same procedure-but I let it idle with the E-brake on for 15 minutes or so to bring the temps up... ...



I have the Practical Solutions high idler as well-use it to idle the engine up when I'm checking compressors etc... .....



I ran Cloud Rider solid grille inserts this winter-left the screened ones in the bumper-but once it gets warmer (close to 0C) you gotta really watch what you're doing as a workout (ie busting snow) will bring both pyro and water temps up pretty quick.



HTH

Jason

 

[K_Arts]

Cold Diesel - Out of curiosity... have you had your Thermostat checked out? When we purchased the wifes 2001, she also had a heating problem. Come to find out, her thermostat was opening wayyyy to early. The dealer replaced the thermostat and whoola... everything is good.



Kev

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Cold Diesel, until you get an e-brake or Horton fan the best way to warm up is to drive it, like you were mentioning. Give it a couple minutes after firing up to get the oil circulating then drive gently and gradually increase load/speed overa 5-10 miles 'til it's starting to warm up.