Engine block heater…

[spongebob]

I have a duramax engine manual, but no where is there any info
On the engine heater, what does it heat exactly?

Also I noticed there is a fuel heater next to the fuel filter ..can some explain
That feature .

And lastly when one glow plug goes out does the other 7 still function??

[DmaxMaverick]

The block heater is simply a heating element extended into the lower cylinder coolant jacket, and it heats the coolant. The optional (or aftermarket) oil heater is a heating pad stuck onto the oil pan.

The fuel heater warms the filter housing, and helps prevent filter fuel waxing at lower temps. It should be active below 40F or so. Warmer fuel at the filter lowers its viscosity and aids fuel flow through the filter, helping prevent pump cavitation. It does not prevent fuel system icing in extreme cold. Winterized or treated fuel is needed for that.

Any single, or multiple glow plug failure does not prevent the others from operating. Previous federal emissions models had the plugs powered by a rack, and a failure of the rack would see downstream plugs without power. Later models (LBZ+, IIRC) are like all CA emissions models, where all plugs are powered (and monitored) independently from the controller. Previous models would only monitor the overall glow plug system health (failure code would only indicate a failure, and how many are failed is indicated by voltage values), while later models monitor individual plugs, and will code a failure, identifying the offending cylinder(s).

[spongebob]

Thank you,

[More Power]

Supposed to be -20F here in a couple of nights... The joys of living in Montana during the winter! ;)

My use of the block heater here in Montana has evolved through the years (since 1986). Currently, I use it for about an hour before starting when temps are about +20F. Add an hour for every 10 ten degrees colder. For example, at -20F overnight, I recommend using the block heater for a minimum of about 4 hours before starting.

I know some who leave the block heater plugged in all the time during the coldest winter months... Over a few winters, that could shorten the life of the heating element, and you'll be paying for quite a bit more electricity than you need to. Back when I commuted to work, I used an electrical timer to power the block heater a couple of hours before I needed to leave home. Since my commuting days, I can plan better. Jim

[spongebob]

My best friend lives in Eureka..never been there in the winter….I used to plug it in when I lived in the Sierras Mountain's in California
I couldn’t believe my electric bill when I left in on over night…

[arveetek]

..... I used an electrical timer to power the block heater a couple of hours before I needed to leave home ......

That's what I do. I have a heavy duty timer that runs my block heater about 4 hours before leaving for work. When I'm off work and it's super cold, I'll leave it plugged in all the time since I don't know when I will need to drive it, and it's nice to have a heater that starts working almost instantly!

Casey

[Yukon6.2]

Been -45C here for a few days and will stay till Thursday-Friday
My car is plugged in pretty much 24-7
I will be having to start my Kenworth when the temp breaks a bit to deliver fuel.
Plugged in with synthetic oils in everything it takes a good hour of idling to get things warm enough to go to work
The cold effects the fuel delivery part more.Colder than -35C fittings start to leak from the cold

[More Power]

Here's a link to a winter article I wrote a while back. There might be a few helpful tips there...

https://www.thedieselpage.com/features/coldweathercc.htm

The lead image in that piece is pretty much how it looks here this morning... :(

[spongebob]

There was no grill cover that came with my 06..I could use something, cause my trans won’t go into 6th for about
8-10 miles
Ebay doesn’t have much to choose from..

[DmaxMaverick]

There was no grill cover that came with my 06..I could use something, cause my trans won’t go into 6th for about
8-10 miles
Ebay doesn’t have much to choose from..

Here's one source (https://www.bugscreenwarehouse.com/oem-winter-front-grill-cover/) (scroll down to 2005/6/7C).

And another. (https://www.carid.com/2006-chevy-silverado-3500-winter-fronts-bug-screens/)

A bit pricey (maybe), but doesn't appear to be any worse than used or "incomplete".

[Yukon6.2]

A piece of cardboard across the bottom of the rad is the most common winter front used here

[More Power]

There was no grill cover that came with my 06..I could use something, cause my trans won’t go into 6th for about
8-10 miles
Ebay doesn’t have much to choose from..

During the first couple of years of the Duramax 6600, GM included a "Winter Front" with each truck. I know that during the run-up to production, their experience with the prototype trucks in places like Fairbanks AK, GM was concerned about winter warmup. The front grille/bumper covers, that my 2001 came with, were rolled up and stashed beneath the back seat on the passenger side. Later model year trucks arrived at dealerships without the covers. Apparently, GM considered the concern over winter warmup as a bit unnecessary. Perhaps...

I do know that with my truck, the grille cover allows the engine to run at the thermostat setting a lot more of the time during cold weather driving. I've never used the bumper cover. Gotta take the grille cover off though when towing, or the truck could see higher than normal engine temperatures. I learned that one February some years ago while towing a fairly large box trailer through the mountains.

[tpitt]

I actually got one with my 2020 Denali.

[More Power]

I actually got one with my 2020 Denali.

Good to know!

Weather here in Montana is certainly variable... Just before Christmas it was -42F with windchill in Helena MT, earlier this week it was +47F, and everything melted... Talk about temperature swings... :O

[arveetek]

Good to know!

Weather here in Montana is certainly variable... Just before Christmas it was -42F with windchill in Helena MT, earlier this week it was +47F, and everything melted... Talk about temperature swings... :O

Missouri is no different. A week ago, windchill temps were near 30 below, and yesterday we hit 72! That's a massive swing in one week.

Casey

[Yukon6.2]

It warmed up here to -20C and felt like spring was here.