Warming up my truck?

[KH971]

I have an 03 H. O. , when I start it in morning when it is very cold, does anyone offer a blanket to cover the grille to slow down the flow of cold air?

 

[Tony T.]

To answer your question "yes" there are winter fronts available. There is one TDR member that manufactures them for sale. I believe he's Eric Bu12. I for one do not use a winter front even though the temps get pretty cold in the morning's here in Texas, would be kinda of a hassle to install, and remove every day when it's in the twenty's in the morning's, and fifty's, or above that afternoon. Would have to be a quick- dis- connect for me. The best thing for me is to crank it, check oil pressure, may let it idle a minute, or two and drive off easy for a couple of miles. I usually start getting heat by then.

 

[Dean Upson]

I don't think you need a winter front anywhere in Georgia . I used one briefly on my '94 and it was not needed at all. It would probably make the heater work a little sooner, but so does a block heater and that is a far more practical investment, imo.



Dean

 

[RodneyNichols]

KH971

Well it's 13 degrees out right now in the Big Sky Country and I had my truck plugged in last night and this morning I fired it up, let it run for a few minutes then I took off. I drive about 8 miles to work one-way and by time I get there the temp gauge is about halfway to full operating temp. Then I park it in a garage here at work.



I've owned 4 cummins trucks in the last 8 years and with temps getting down into (-30) at times I've never owned a grill cover. There's been times that I would throw a piece of card board in there to help when It got down to -30 or so. When I plug the old cummins in it never fails me. The only thing I do different is let it run alittle longer in the mornings and make sure it reaches operating temps when I go to work.

 

[PhilMorrell]

Should the voltage be at 14. 5 or so while it's warming up?



I have noticed on mine that the voltage just kind of hangs down around 12 volts or so until the glow plugs have quit cycling. Then it comes up to 14. 5 or so.



I wouldnt mind so much, but even though it only drops to 40 degrees here, it takes several minutes for the glow plugs to stop cycling and I would rather not drive it while the headlights dim and brighten as the glow plugs cycle.

 

[MCharlebois]

glow plugs

i may be a bit confused but... i don't think we have glow plugs

 

[PhilMorrell]

Yep, your right. I would have never guessed.



Well after reading till my eyes bled, I have learned its a grid in the intake, and it sucks so much current that it drags the voltage down.

 

[TboneMan]

Heck, I look foward to days when it gets UP TO 40. The Cummins purrs a bit quieter at that temperature.



You kind of get use to the clatter of these beasts when the temps stay below freezing for 4 or 5 months of the year.

 

[ELind]

Am I doing any harm?

I have an 8-mile commute too, though in California, so the temps in the AM are about 40-ish at worst. This is my first diesel, so I just want to make sure that the fact that it seems to not be fully warmed up when I get here isn't a problem. I let it idle for a minute or so before I left and again when I got here.

I suppose that's OK for these motors?



Thanks!

 

[RAMINSPEED]

I let mine finish it's grid heater cycle (usually takes 3 minutes in the morning) before driving it. The heaters will turn off if you hit a certain speed before they are done cycling. On my way home from work I do the same but the first 2 miles is uphill, then its mostly downhill from there. I never rev it past 2000 RPM till it's warm, which is usually 15 miles in this weather. 19 degrees last night at 5 pm on the way home.

 

[ELind]

thanks

don't think I need to worry too much about the teens! Only see freezing once in a while here in the winter. Thanks for the info!

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Unless my windshield is icy or frosted over I never wait more than 30 seconds before taking off. Then I zip right up to 18mph so the grids turn off (they turn off at 18mph). They put quite a load on the batteries and alternator; when I take off driving the load from that helps warm the engine.



If you drive gently that's better for your motor (as well as the electrical system) to take off within a minute or two of starting up than letting it idle awhile.



If your commute is short, in town, and the engine doesn't fully warm up there's no need to idle a full minute once you park before shutdown.



If you drive short trips cummuting during the winter frequently you shold take it for a good long drive every week or so and work it good (drive fast, jackrabbit starts, etc. )



Vaughn

 

[rbattelle]

If the engine is really cold and the thermostat is closed, then what benefit would there be to covering your radiator?

 

[Dean Upson]

None, unless you are moving.



Dean

 

[rbattelle]

So if you are moving, the cooling effect of air blowing along the engine block is that significant?

 

[Dean Upson]

The cold air flowing thru the radiator would make it harder for the engine to warm the coolant.



Dean

 

[Bfulgham]

Wasn't aware heater grids turn off at 18 MPH. Will have to try that. Also wondering if it is normal for the engine to lope each time the grid cycles? The only way I knew the heater was cycling on my old 93 was the drop in voltage, no light dimming and no engine lope . In central Texas here and the grid will cycle up to 13 times in 45 deg. weather and takes 3or 4 more seconds for the indicator light to go out after the 5 chimes. Is this normal?

Thanks: Bob

 

[rbattelle]

But Dean, if the thermostat is closed then the engine is not having any effect whatsoever on coolant that's still in the radiator. Now, when the thermostat opens, then the engine should heat the coolant in the radiator much faster, but who cares by that point? You've already got warm air in the cab. I must be missing something here, since winter fronts must work for all those millions who use them.

 

[Dean Upson]

I think you are right . That makes sense to me. I will say that I had a winter front on my 94 and it made no difference that I could see.



Dean

 

[Jengle]

bfulgham,

I have an 04 3500 HO and mine does not do anything more than dim the interior lights a little on the grid cycle. No change in engine at all. Does show a heavy discharge on the amp gauge, though.