Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Tucking in the Cummins

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Now that winter has returned the '01 has been getting plugged in again every night. Since it's especially chilly lately I pop the hood and throw an old comforter over the motor. It gets tucked in around the exhaust manifold, fan area and intake side. Nothing wrong with keeping the Cummns a little more warm & snuggly so it's ready to go first thing in the morning

 

[Sticks]

I wish I had the option at work.



We are in the middle of a cold snap here in Denver. Got to work and it was -10, dropped to -14, then warmed up to a balmy -2. Truck barely started after two preheat cycles and a lot more cranking than I would have preferred. I am sure I took some life out of the batteries and starter.



More than 5 revolutions on a cold start is odd, but so are temps below 10 during the day.



Might have been OK if I was still stock, but me thinks the extra fuel from the injectors was a bit much.

 

[AClayton]

Now that winter has returned the '01 has been getting plugged in again every night. Since it's especially chilly lately I pop the hood and throw an old comforter over the motor. It gets tucked in around the exhaust manifold, fan area and intake side. Nothing wrong with keeping the Cummns a little more warm & snuggly so it's ready to go first thing in the morning

Some of my friends laugh at me for plugging my truck in... ..... I don't care! It starts so easily and warms up so much faster when I need it!! It's not that it won't do it but why worry about it when you have electric available.



Alan

 

[bheiting]

I slap a magnetic heater on the oil pan as well. I want warm oil circulating as soon as that jewel of an engine fires up.

 

[Devil Black Diesel]

Not that I ever have to plug mine in here in Socal but where is the receptacle on the truck to plug it in? I've never seen it. Is it just a regular outlet that you plug an extension cord into? Is it on all trucks (CA trucks too)?



thanks

 

[RAJohnson]

Not that I ever have to plug mine in here in Socal but where is the receptacle on the truck to plug it in? I've never seen it. Is it just a regular outlet that you plug an extension cord into? Is it on all trucks (CA trucks too)?



thanks

Yea its on the passenger side under the exhaust manifold. If you have never used it, then its still there all tied up as it came from the factory. Its a cord with a male plug on it.

 

[RAJohnson]

Now that winter has returned the '01 has been getting plugged in again every night. Since it's especially chilly lately I pop the hood and throw an old comforter over the motor. It gets tucked in around the exhaust manifold, fan area and intake side. Nothing wrong with keeping the Cummns a little more warm & snuggly so it's ready to go first thing in the morning

Vaughn with my luke I would forget to remove the blankie in the morning. And that would not be pretty. I have been plugging mine in for the last two months. My batteries are getting old and when I forget to plug it in, well its just safe to say I will be plugging it in or becoming a pedestrian. :{:{

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Some of my friends laugh at me for plugging my truck in... ..... I don't care! It starts so easily and warms up so much faster when I need it!! It's not that it won't do it but why worry about it when you have electric available.

Alan

Part of the reason for throwing a blanket over the motor is whenever it's breezy at night it takes the heat away from the engine, especially when it's very cold, so the blanket gives it a layer of protection.

Rob I need to plug mine in too, being I have just one battery in the truck.

 

[AH64ID]

Part of the reason for throwing a blanket over the motor is whenever it's breezy at night it takes the heat away from the engine, especially when it's very cold, so the blanket gives it a layer of protection.



Rob I need to plug mine in too, being I have just one battery in the truck.

I have the OEM winter front, and on windy or very cold nights I close it all the way. (I usually leave 1 of the 4 flaps open unless its below 0). It makes up to a 10* difference on the coolant temp in the morning for the same reason, the hot air stays in the engine bay.



I have also found that about 90 minutes of blocker heater operation gets the block to 90% of the temp of all night, at a much lower cost. Even $0. 07/hr adds up over a winter, and will easily pay for the timer in no time.