2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Warm up time

[jeepit]

What are you guys doing for warm up before hitting the road? I have block heater on a timer for 2 hours, start motor, wait 2 minutes and go. Does this sound about right or should I be waiting longer? Temps right now are at 25 degrees overnite. I also have a winter front that is not on yet.

 

[Mtngoat]

I use a block heater also. I get in, start it and as soon as oil pressure is up, I go. I don't hammer it till its warmed up, tho. .



Robin

 

[illflem]

I also just start it and go but a couple minutes certainly won't hurt anything especially if you are hitting highway speeds right away. If you have an auto spend those couple of minutes in N to warm the transmission, it will not warm in park.

 

[Snow man]

I let it run about a minute,then hit the road and drive it like theres an egg under your foot that you dont want to break until it comes up to temp. Sitting idling isnt doing any good unless you have an exhaust brake. The block heater helps a lot,leave it plugged in while your idling,dont forget to unplug it though .

 

[TboneMan]

I put my truck in a garage. While it is unheated, it is at least a bit warmer than the outside air.



Generally, I start the truck wait for the oil pressure to register. The in 1 gear, I idle out of the garage, and stop. I then hit the garage door closer button and wait untill the door is down and then I go.



I usually take it easy for the first 4 or 5 miles. 86k and still chugging.

 

[rashwor]

Snowman...

Been there, done that, have t-shirt!:--)



No damage, thank goodness!

 

[Snow man]

rashwor,Ive done it MANY times . I havent done any damage yet either.

 

[Newf Limo]

Electric is too far from my truck to the house. I just fire it up and let it High idle for a couple minutes. If it is really really cold, the 3 cylinder idle warms it up pretty quickly. Then I just treat it gingerly until it comes up to 140*. I try to keep the RPM's around 1800-2100 once I start driving. I also use Amsoil 15/40 so it isn't prone to getting overly thick like regular oil.

 

[fkovalski]

Let mine run about 5- 7 minutes or so whilst I make a quick breakfast. I have not been plugging in yet although I probably should. I religiously change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles. I have had the 3 cyl flash done.



I have a question about the 3 cyl flash: Should the sound of the engine sound different when this setting is in effect? I have posed this question before and a fellow member replied that it would sound different and I would definitely tell a difference. Well, I don’t seem to hear all that much of a change in din (while idling) in the cold mornings.



-frank

 

[Newf Limo]

:-laf :-laf :-laf

Oh yea, it sounds a little different alright! Like your engine ran out of oil and it's about to fly apart! But it's perfectly normal.

 

[fkovalski]

Oh yea, it sounds a little different alright! Like your engine ran out of oil and it's about to fly apart! But it's perfectly normal

I am going to have the dealer look into this as to "weather" (pun intended) they did the flash 'Cause it don't sound a whole lot different from normal temp sounds.

 

[Newf Limo]

Careful Ski...

I am going to have the dealer look into this as to "weather" (pun intended) they did the flash

Use the word "Flash" around the dealer with great care. This is by no means a flash! You do not want them overwriting software without a very good reason.



The software is in there. They only need the DRB III and this can be done in the parking lot in five minutes. He/she hooks up the scan tool (DRB III) scrolls through the menus an he will come to some engine settings and one will say, "3 CYL IDLE. Enable-Disable.



He selects Enable, then backs out of the software properly to ensure the changes are saved.



The Temb must be 15*F or colder and be, usually the first start of the day. Also, if it is 0* but the sun is shining on the hood, don't hold your breath.



It takes a minute or two for it to ramp up then kick in the 3 cyl program. But, when it was -50 last winter, Jake (my truck) almost didn't let me quit engaging the starter! He was in QUITE the hurry to warm up!:-laf



You Can see Jake (the Limo) in the gallery. Back in his Beach Bummin' days. How life changes. . .

 

[fkovalski]

Thanks for the info, newf limo-

I did not realize the implication of the word "flash" in dealerspeak. Their is a sticker on my fan shroud as to the work of the 3 cyl setup, but do not think that it was done under the conditions that you describe.



Are you also stating that starting the CTD with the 3 cyl setting enabled is harder? It seems that I have been able to start mine easier than what I remember from last year. But the differences in sound that were related in this thread do not seem to be noticable.

 

[Newf Limo]

No, no difference in starting. There is a delay before the 3 cyl. idle. First thing that must happen is the RPMs must ramp up to about 1250 RPM. Then 3 cyl Operation will take effect if all criteria are met, i. e. ambient temp 15*f or lower, engine temp <140* etc. etc.



There will be no mistaking when it is idling on 3.

 

[Sticks]

IMO, Get an exhaust break and save yourself the brain damage.



Right now with temps in the mornings here between 20* and 30*, it will warm up enough to open the thermostat in about 4 minutes (READ: I am getting heat in the cab, and the temp gauge is around 170 - 180) if I forget to plug it in. Plugged in, I let it idle with the brake on for about 1 minute then by the time I am at the end of the alley, I am already coming off the 140 mark. I still keep the rev's below 2000, and don't lug the engine till the 180* mark is hit.