When to plug it in and cover the rad.

[bob257]

Sorry again guys and gals. I'm new to diesels. At what temperature should I plug my Cummins into an electric outlet? At what temp. should I put the bra that fits over the radiator on the truck?

Thanks!

 

[NIsaacs]

Where I live it's rare to get below 0* so I don't use a winter front, however at about 20* I plug mine it for two or three hours. If it gets down to the single digits I plug it in all night. I do use 15/40 year around tho. I also use the exhaust brake for warm up.



Nick

 

[RobertHiltz]

Where do you live? There are a lot of variables, oil viscosity, normal low and high ambient temps, how long the vehicle soaks in low anbients, will the vehicle be worked or just empty running.

Nicks advice is good for the conditions he describes.

In cold climate areas the winter front usually starts being used in late fall early winter weather. Monitor your coolant temp gauge when using it.

 

[PatrickHansen]

Bob, read your owner's manual. The book that came with my truck has very clear instructions regarding the use of the plug-in engine heater.

 

[bob257]

I found the temp guide. They say around 0. I don't see when to put the cover on the radiator in the manual though? I've heard some people actually have the fuel gel when driving? I live in Pa near Hershey. Central Pa.

 

[AWeiman]

i cover my rad when it gets below 20. alot of my trips aren't that long so the sooner i get heat the better. we have never covered the rad on my wife's truck and it has always had good heat. she has about a 40 mile one way commute. the only thing i have ever seen in a manual regarding a winter front was to make sure a certain percent of the grille was left uncovered for the intercooler. as far as plugging in, the motor will start in sub zero temps without being plugged in. however it is nicer on the motor to plug her in, and you get heat fast. i generally plug in at temps below 10 degrees.

 

[madmanmanick]

I am from Northern Minnesota and the rule of thumb that I was taught growing up was that if it was going to be 32 or below plug the truck in. Some other things that you can concider and worry about also. They sell warmers for the batteries also that plug into the same cord as the block heater. The other thing to worry about is what fuel you use. In northern MN in the winter we use No. 1 highway diesel fuel, and No. 2 in the summer. I made the mistake once of refueling in IL with No. 2 and driving to MN and having the fuel completely wax up on me cause it got to cold. I had to add the emergency additive and heat the truck for 3 hrs in a garage. The last thing is the transmission, I know if it gets to hot it is bad for it, but if it is to cold it is bad for it also. If the temp is between 0 and 32 leave the transmission in O/D Off until the engine is up to temp(if the engine is up to temp the transmission usually is to. If it is below 0 don't use overdrive. The engine doesn't rotate fast enough to effectively keep the fluid warm enough. As far as using a Polish heater on the radiator I have never used one, but the precaution I was told in regards to those is be careful not to block the air to much. Hope these help.

 

[CSkal]

I start plugging in when temps overnight are going to be near 40 which really isn't necessary but it gets the heat up faster. I used to use the winter front during the winter all the time, but now i just put it on when temps are 20 or below at the house. In my area, if the temp @ home is in the 20's, chances are that during my commute I will see temps down as low as 5.

 

[Grizzly]

Sorry again guys and gals. I'm new to diesels. At what temperature should I plug my Cummins into an electric outlet? At what temp. should I put the bra that fits over the radiator on the truck?

Thanks!

Bra's are for ladies. You don't need one on your truck.



I plug in when the morning temperature is going to be 20 above, but only for two hours with a HD cord and a HD timer.



P. S. I can't even imagine a Big Heavy Duty Dodge with a Cummins Turbo Diesel with a bra!!!



george

 

[AH64ID]

As a general rule of thumb the winter front goes on when the daily high is going to be staying below 45-50, and unless it gets below 30ish all 4 flaps stay open. Then as the temps decrease the flaps get cold. The winter front does a great job of helping the engine stay warm, and get heat out of the vents sooner. It also retains more of the heat after shutdown and when plugged in.

For the block heater if its below ~30 I plug mine in, its on a timer for 90 minutes. I have never had a starting issue, but I like the fact that the motor makes heat 3-4 miles sooner when I start plugged in versus not.

 

[steved]

The winter fronts do more than just speed heat... they make the engine more efficient in cold weather.

Run without fronts when its -20*F and check your mileage, then install the fronts and check your mileage again... you will be surprised at how much mileage drops in cold weather without the fronts holding the heat in the engine compartment.

 

[RMachida]

The winter fronts do more than just speed heat... they make the engine more efficient in cold weather.



Run without fronts when its -20*F and check your mileage, then install the fronts and check your mileage again... you will be surprised at how much mileage drops in cold weather without the fronts holding the heat in the engine compartment.

I have been wondering about that but never tried it. The winter fronts cover the intercooler so the air charge reaching the engine isn't as cold and dense as it could be. I was thinking the less dense air may actually lower efficiency. But as I've said, I've never really tested either way. I just put on the winter front when the temperatures get regularly below zero...

 

[RobertHiltz]

Bob257 Is your winter front the newer type that goes in front of the coolers behind the grille and is not visible when the hood is closed? If you have the origional type winter front that goes on the outside the grille like a Bra then don't bother putting it on because they do little if any good.

 

[AH64ID]

The winter fronts do more than just speed heat... they make the engine more efficient in cold weather.



Run without fronts when its -20*F and check your mileage, then install the fronts and check your mileage again... you will be surprised at how much mileage drops in cold weather without the fronts holding the heat in the engine compartment.

I notice my truck is working harder with the winter front installed at 80. i think its from the increased aerodynamic drag. Also at 80 on a 0* day the IATs are over 100* even with 4 flaps open, not sure its needed unless is SUPER cold out when running on the fwy, and even colder than that for towing.

 

[Bigiron]

I live in south east Mn. I plug mine in on a timer for two hours before I leave for work when it gets to 30. And run a stainless winter front in the grill when it gets and stays below 20. Never have a problem even on the highway and gets warm in the cab much faster. In the spring I do the oppisite. Always run AMSOIL 15-40.

 

[EGroeneveld]

I start plugging in about 10/15 and put away the cord 4/01. I use a timer for about 2 hours before work. I don't need to but I like the almost instant heat out of the defrost. I also want to make sure the truck gets properly warmed up before I shut down at work because of my short commute.



When I travel I never worry about it because I'll be driving a lot further.

 

[bob257]

It's the newer style.

 

[RPlamondon]

I'm a snowbird but this yr must stay in CT longer than I want to b/c of a fx right tibia in motorcycle accident. I never had to think about cold weather on my 6. 7 automatic but now must consider. May not get of of CT until Dec. I heard that gelling will occur @ 20 degrees so I will be watching for that drop. I don't have a plug in heater although I bought the truck in CT and it is snow plow ready with hd suspension and 4x4. Truck stays outside here in CT. I use an additive but not specifically for anti-gelling. I would have thought that this truck would have come with an engine heater.

 

[bob257]

I didn't know that your diesel would come without a plug? Are you sure? It would be under the bumper on the passenger side front. It's a covered cord end.

 

[AH64ID]

They all come with the heater, but not all of them come with the cord.