Warming it up

[K_Arts]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Warming it up

Originally posted by Jeremiah

Hi, Kev,



I notice that you're driving two auto trannies, neither of which are the HO 2003 common rail version w/the 6-speed. However, you are correct that listening to the engine is the way to go. That's why I first suggested to Jean that shifting in the 2100-2200 range was the best option.

Calm down buddy... we are all just trying to help Jean get answers.



Yes you are correct, I do drive 2 auto's. But I also have 3 of the new 03 6 speeds sitting at my brother in laws business that we use for pulling skids for his concrete business, so I do have some experience with them. The key thing is that every truck is different, you just need to listen to what your truck is doing, it knows best.



Kev

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Warming it up

Originally posted by K_Arts

Calm down buddy... we are all just trying to help Jean get answers.



Yes you are correct, I do drive 2 auto's. But I also have 3 of the new 03 6 speeds sitting at my brother in laws business that we use for pulling skids for his concrete business, so I do have some experience with them. The key thing is that every truck is different, you just need to listen to what your truck is doing, it knows best.



Kev

Aw, I didn't get excited. I just took issue when you said shifting at 1600 or 1800 lugged an engine. It may or it may not lug an engine because it depends on what you're doing with the truck.



If Jean is going to pull skids loaded with concrete, it probably would not be advisable. But if all she's hauling is her Line-X bedliner and she's not in a hurry and her engine is cold, the high teens might be precisely where she should shift until she's driven a mile or so down the road. It all depends on what her engine is telling her to do.



But I do confess to being worried when Jean said her truck runs rough when it's cold. Mine absolutely does not run rough, although it will give that diesel "rattle" until it warms up. Maybe that's what she's hearing when she says it runs rough.



Finally, a diesel rattle from a warm engine is a pretty good indication you're lugging the engine.

 

[ladyjaine]

Rough when it's cold

When Lady J is really cold, and grumpy about it, she isn't running any too quietly. It's not an uneven growl, it's a LOUDER growl, with a lot more bass to it. She quiets down and growls less when I shift pretty short, as in 1600 to 1800 and don't even think about nudging her up past 2000. I am really light on the gas pedal and I would much prefer not moving her at all until she's idled for a while longer. It doesn't take very long before she is purring as usual.



I only heard that grumpy growl once. Once was more than enough. Now I fire Lady J up a little earlier and give her more time to idle before we roll. She doesn't growl at idle, I heard that only when I rushed the warm up time.



I thought the definition of lugging was 'no power response when you press harder on the gas pedal. ' I find lugging really hard to do because Lady J is usually empty and has torque to spare. Remember, it's 550foot/pounds at 1400RPM.



Jean

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: Rough when it's cold

Originally posted by ladyjaine

When Lady J is really cold, and grumpy about it, she isn't running any too quietly. It's not an uneven growl, it's a LOUDER growl, with a lot more bass to it. She quiets down and growls less when I shift pretty short, as in 1600 to 1800 and don't even think about nudging her up past 2000. I am really light on the gas pedal and I would much prefer not moving her at all until she's idled for a while longer. It doesn't take very long before she is purring as usual.



I only heard that grumpy growl once. Once was more than enough. Now I fire Lady J up a little earlier and give her more time to idle before we roll. She doesn't growl at idle, I heard that only when I rushed the warm up time.



I thought the definition of lugging was 'no power response when you press harder on the gas pedal. ' I find lugging really hard to do because Lady J is usually empty and has torque to spare. Remember, it's 550foot/pounds at 1400RPM.



Jean

OK, I understand now. I don't think anything is wrong at all. I used the term diesel "rattle. " Diesel "growl" works equally well. You will get that sound in a diesel engine when you begin your initial acceleration. It's more pronounced when the engine is cold or when you "lug" the engine. Lugging means trying to accelerate in too high a gear.



In an unloaded truck, it's dang nigh impossible to lug an engine by starting out in first gear. It's easier to lug the engine slightly if you start out in second gear. You absolutely will lug it (not to mention wear out your clutch) if you start out in third gear.



Most people lug their engines by trying to accelerate without down-shifting. Extreme example: you're driving along in sixth gear and slow down to 1,000 RPMs or so. Then put the pedal to the metal and accelerate. Will you move forward? Yes, but your engine won't like it. That's lugging.



Hope this helps.

 

[DPKetchum]

I think maybe we should all drive her truck a few weeks each to make sure everthings ok. She does have a ball in the bed,dosent she?

 

[HBarlow]

Jean,



If you are talking about cold weather and your truck is not loaded, it is recommended that you allow the engine to idle for at least a minute after you have oil pressure. Then, light throttle and gentle acceleration up to about 2000 rpm should be acceptable until the temperature gauge reaches the normal operating band. If you are loaded it might be prudent to allow the engine to idle a little longer then fast idle to approximately 1000 to 1400 rpm for another minute or two before moving away from a stop.



Harvey

 

[Badunit]

What I do on these cold mornings is let it idle a few minutes before I take off. When moving I try to keep it in the RPM band and at throttle levels where it doesn't growl. I shift accordingly. Mine doesn't have to warm up much before it sounds normal, the gauge doesn't even move before mine sounds okay. The problem around here, which you probably see too, is that there's so much traffic that keeps you idling and going slow that it takes forever for the engine to warm up to operating temperature. It warms up quickly at highway speeds but not sitting in our slow traffic. This has been an unusually cold winter, too; thank heaven for heated seats.

 

[ntenna]

Amen on that cold weather in VA!



Lady Jane, BadUnit, we could all three use the Jacobs Brake to help warm it up if it's going to stay this cold on the central East Coast. Wish mine was in right about now... ...

 

[Dean Upson]

Supposed to warm up next week. I had -7 this morning. :{ The truck started right up (it was a balmy 16 on the console thermometer



Dean

 

[Jeremiah]

Here is a picture of what Bruce Adams made for my truck. I think they look great! His email is -- email address removed -- in case anyone is interested.



#ad