View Full Version : plug in, when?
buelldude
11-28-2002, 11:28
So when(what temp) should you plug in your truck. I'm at my sisters house(thanksgiving)and the temp was down in the low teens. It started just fine, what does everyone else do?
badbowtie
11-28-2002, 11:47
This is a subject that will draw many answers. I personally plug my 6.5 in below 30. IIRC the dmax will start with the glow plugs down to -10. I believe a warm motor is easier on the starter, the warmer oil will circulate faster thus reducing wear on internal parts. I am a fleet diesel mechanic, our fleet policy is to plug trucks in at less than 20. If you do not have acces to blended fuel I would plug in sooner, hope this helps.
Jason
ASE certified Master Heavy Truck Tech and Advanced Diesel Diagnostics
NutNbutGMC
11-28-2002, 12:16
^...Jason, what does blended fuel have to do with the tempreature of the oil? No sarcasm intended.
Don't forget the block heater on the Dmax will have little if any affect on warming the oil - it is going to warm the coolant. You'll need to add a oil pan heater if you want to warm the erl...
badbowtie
11-28-2002, 13:27
I dont know what the fuel filter setup is on the dmax but blended fuel will start to gel at a lower temp, on my 6.5 the fuel filter is in the back of intake, the block heater will keep the filter warm and prevent fuel gelling problems. I have never measured the oil temp when I use my block heater but when I fire my truck the oil pressure is not a high as with cold oil and the oil pan does feel warm to the touch.
I know thre is a difference with an oil pan heater but I have also dropped oil pans that have oil coked all over the bottom due to overly hot pan heaters. here in Indiana we do not get the extreme cold some guys do, so I'll just stick to my block heater.
Jason
For plugging in the DMAX, has anyone found a good, heavy duty timer to run the heater through so it can come on at a desired time instead of heating all night???
Thanks, Don
buelldude,
Never plugged mine in last winter. I don't even think about it anymore. Starts right up, no problems. I don't think it will ever get cold enough here to worry about.
Kevin
[ 11-28-2002: Message edited by: 2K2AD ]</p>
billnourse
11-28-2002, 18:17
Don G.,
Most electrical supply houses can supply you with a time that will work with the block heater. Mine is digital and can be programed. As I work shift work I have mine where it starts 4 hrs before night shift, and four hours before day shift. It's good for 15 Amps I think.
As for when I plug in, usually at 25 or so. Not that it needs it, it's just nice to have almost instant heater, and I don't like to idle for any length of time.
Bill
billnourse, Thanks... I had tried auto supply places without luck. Never thought of electrical supply outlets. Will pursue those.
Thanks, Don
Does anyone know if they have solved the problem of getting a code thrown after using the block heater? I haven`t plugged mine in since last winter and it was throwing a code then, something to do with the fuel temp. sensor.
Jomar
Used the block heater last year (Nov. Dec. Jan.) never had a fault code pop up.
Started using the block heater again (touch wood) no problem.
Have always use a 2hr timer prior to start up, when it gets real cold I hang a 120Vac heater between the head rests to preheat the interior and it melts the exterior window frost or ice.
good luck
bluenote
11-29-2002, 08:08
I never plugged mine in last winter, my first with the DMax. I also went without the winter cover. This year, I decided to try them out to see if I felt there were benefits. After that first cold morning when the truck started up just like it was summertime, and purred like a kitten, I was convinced. When you hear how good it runs after being plugged in, you just know it's gotta be better for the engine. I also installed the grill cover (not the bumper), and between the two, I have heat pretty quickly now on cold mornings.
The key to oil pan heaters is regulation and distribution of heat over a properly sized area. It would take a pretty high power/low surface area heater to coke oil in cold ambient temps though. Think about it...
Like Mdrag stated, the block heater does nearly nothing for the oil in the sump.
[ 11-29-2002: Message edited by: kennedy ]</p>
^...Jason, what does blended fuel have to do with the tempreature of the oil? No sarcasm intended.
Many big trucks circulate coolant through the tanks or filter assy's to heat the fuel. The Dmax has a small heating element in the fuel filter housing.
Forced Induction
11-29-2002, 09:30
Besides the coolant, doesn't the block heater also heat the fuel in some way??
JA
No, The only effect on the fuel would be indirect from the upward radiation of heat from the engine. The Dmax has an oil/water heat exchanger too, but this will be limited in capability and effect.
ChevysRus
11-29-2002, 10:58
Ha ha ha LMAO you guys have my sympathy, block heaters, interior heaters, timers...jez 4 hours to pre-heat...man I can't take all that. Here in Northern California it rarely gets below 40 and then only for a few hours at best.
On the other hand we have had 72 earthquakes here in last 6 days, all small fortunately with biggest 3.9. Hard to steer straight around here ha ha ha LOL. Also you guys get to snowmobile and ski all winter long and we are still waiting for snow over in Tahoe. If we are lucky we get maybe 5-8 weeks of snow in the mountains around here (around here means a 4-5 hour drive).
I guess we each have our benefits and tribulations to put up with, what we save on heat bills in the winter we blow in the summer on A/C, $300 per month for me this summer about 5 months worth.
I guess it's all in what you are used to and what you like (I don't like earthquakes, but they come with the territory ha ha ha). I also guess you don't really enjoy -20 below either, but you have to deal with it huh!
Alright I take it all back, you guys plug'em in and I'll hold the DMAX wheel with both hands real tight and I'll try not to get airborne as the road under me drops a few feet LOL
Stay warm out there will ya!
hdmax(mike)
11-29-2002, 15:01
I decided to plug it in last night for the first time. I keep the truck in an unheated garage. This morning the temperture in the garage was 28* (outside temp 22*) The "WAIT TO START" light did not stay on long enough to see it. And the heater was blowing out warm air from the start. Gauge reading was the first line past 150*
If nothing else, the instant heat when going out on a cold morning is well worth the time of pluging and un pluging.
Amianthus
11-29-2002, 17:21
There are several ways to skin this cat. Here's what I do.
I use a thermocube in my truck and have it placed just right in the engine compartment so that the engine heater warms up enough to prevent the long heater cycle. I use the thermocube to prevent beating up my electrical bills. That and my truck is ready to go pretty quick for those middle-of-the-night fire calls. I also have a Kussmaul auto eject on it so that I don't forget to unplug it on those same calls.
For most people, I recommend plugging it in using a cheap timer. Set it to turn on anywhere from 2 to 4 hours before you are going to start it up for the day.
The heating of the engine oil is minimal, but plugging it in does help warm it up.
As for what temp? I usually start plugging in around 30 degrees. My truck will start (and has) without help up to -20, but why force the issue?
I used my winter grill cover (not the bumper cover) today for the first time and I was pleasantly suprised at it's effectivness. The low this morning was about 13F and it got up to about 38F today. Drove in the sun this afternoon and the temp guage didn't quite get up to 190F. Plus it warmed up this morning quickly (I plugged in also).
And it makes the front of the truck look a little meaner... ;)
Hillbilly
11-29-2002, 20:28
How do you guys do your block heater cord? Do you snake an extension cord up to it, or rund the heater cord down around the bumper or what?
Greetings from the frigid north, land of 7.9 earthquakes and the norhtern lights :D ...Since we usually have more than one heater on our vehicles here, many people use a 4-way extension cord routed through the grill. It's not pretty, but it works...Until you forget and your grill is laying in the driveway after you back out :eek: Yup, been there, done that on an old Jeep. I have a 4-way electrical box installed under the air box with an arctic cord routed out through the tow hook hole. Running oil pan, tranny pan, battery, and freeze plug heaters. In the summer I can clip the zip-tie and stuff the end up under the air dam. I get the code if I plug in above 30 and run the high idle shortly after startup, anything colder than 30 and all is fine. Bumper cover has little affect on warm-up for as much work as it takes to get the D!mn thing on, what a PITA!
Idle_Chatter
11-30-2002, 06:59
Hillbilly, I have mine rerouted down and forward and wire-tied to the passenger tow hook. It's really a PITA to try and route the wire from the top, really easy if you've pulled the passenger wheel liner (also the best way to change fuel filters, so do them both at the same time when you reach 15,000 or a multiple of that). One other advantage of the winter-front grill cover is better aerodynamics and about 1 mpg on the interstates! I agree on the bumpercover, looked at mine and folded it back up, not even worth the effort! I also want to have some airflow to the intercooler and oil cooler, so the bumper slots stay open year-round!
ChopperBill
11-30-2002, 10:04
Didnt think I got a heater. Finally found it wire tied under a loom. Is making the cord 6 inches too short another cost cutting feature from GM? What a crock, it shouldnt be made that difficult to route the cord.
I dont like starting the motor when its cold with 15-40 in it. Really rattles on startup and takes forever to warm the heater.
The local Gestapo is issuing tickets for leaving your vehicle running unattended now! Even if it is locked up! So the cost of running the heater may be offset in no fines been issued.
Jake99Z71
11-30-2002, 10:21
Another good option for the cold places in this world would be an Espar Heater. It works great for warming the engine to 180 degrees and warming the cab plus cleaning the windows. Set the timer let it run 30-45 minutes and away you go. No more plug-ins needed. Just good old diesel.
ChopperBill
11-30-2002, 12:53
Jake: Looks like a neat deal. Couldnt find any price on the net. Any idea with the timer?
Jake99Z71
11-30-2002, 15:33
Check out http://lubespecialist.com/ for the price.
ChopperBill
11-30-2002, 17:49
Ops! Almost a grand! Hope its a short winter.
Jake99Z71
11-30-2002, 18:13
Yeah, but once you try it you'll want it. Besides all these guys on here are dropping that much on perfomance mods for the engine. So why not help stop the cold start wear.
Chopperbill,
Pull out the inner fender and you'll see that your block heater wire is run with the battery cables. If you slit the tape you can pull it back down the loom and run to that tow hook like Idle Chatter did. I have both of my heater cords run to this location.
As for idling, depending on the circumstance, I'll leave my truck running, but generally will us ethe remote start to do so and take the keys. I'd put up a pretty darn good fight if someone wanted to ticket me for that...
The Espar heater is kinda neat, but it would be much better if a guy had a pre-luber to move the oil through the engine as well...
Idle_Chatter
12-01-2002, 19:02
Another good thing about the tow hook location is that when I plug up to my extension cord, I can "tuck" the plugs back into the tow hook hole where they are shetered from rain/snow/melt and don't have to worry about moisture tripping the GFI outlet. I also use a 15-amp rated timer to turn the heater power on about 2-1/2 hours before I leave in the morning and off about an hour after I should be gone (In case I get lazy and want to unplug and leave the cord outside the door). The tow hook location will also "auto eject" if I have a senior moment and back up with the plug attached - the truck cord will come out about 8" and straight-pull to disconnect. No, I haven't tested it yet! tongue.gif
I HAVE MY TRUCK IN A GARAGE,DONT THINK IT GETS BELOW FREEZING,IS THER A PROBLEM PLUGING IT IN DAILY JUST TO GET THE VEHICLE TO WARM UP FASTER. ALSO A QUESTION ON START UP, MOST TIMES I START THE TRUCK I LET TRUCK IDLE 15-20 MIN.(ITHOUGHT THIS WAS PROPER FOR START UP, ON ONE OF THE OTHER FORUMS,SEVERAL TRUCK OWNERS STATED THAT LETTING TRUCK IDLE FOR MORE THEN A FEW MINUTES WAS NOT GOOD FOR THE ENGINE,THEY START TRUCK LET IT RUN A FEW MINUTES THEN DRIVE AT SLOW SPEEDS UNTIL OIL PRESSURE DROPS. SORRY SO LONG WINDED ,JUST TRYING TO DO WHATS RITE. THANKS.
buelldude
12-02-2002, 04:34
Well thanks for all the info, I will try plugging in to see how it works out(below 30). I'm also going to try the mask(shield, bra)to see how that works. We don't get that cold but she gets a bit cranky when the truck takes a few extra miles to warm up(cold feet). We just did a trip to upstate NY for the holidays and it was low temps for us (13-17). But "MAX" started up with no problems, a bit noisey. The kids love the sound, its funny to see them beg to ride in the truck rather than moms car.
ChopperBill
12-02-2002, 18:30
Thanks for the heads up on pulling the cord out of the loom. Have "ape" like arms and did not have to remove inner well to get the job done. Also put it at the tow hook. Plugged her in last night. Big difference starting up in the morning.
John, Do you have a pre-luber on your truck? I want to build one ($90 for a 12V motor and nickel and dime stuff there after) but afraid of the $12,000 engine. They cost many hundreds over the counter. Your thoughts?
Mike
Is the heater standard on '02s or is it an option? (I think its standard on '03s)
If not standard, can the option be added later?
c5dura,
The engine coolant heater is standard on ALL diesel engines. Does not matter what year. You just need to find the cord. Lots of links here talk about where to find it and how to unravel it.
Good Luck, Don
No I do not have a pre-luber.
wangotango
12-06-2002, 21:46
You can obtain an "appliance" timer from any hardware or home improvement store.
The appliance type is 3-pronged (hopefully not a green manalishi) while the regular type has only 2.
Make sure you have the triple and if used in conjunction with an extension cord, and be sure the cord is at least 14AWG wire. 12AWG is preferred.
Go to 12 if you are dragging it along the ground outside somwhere. Try to be the only item plugged into a 15 amp ckt.
This is all pretty easy stuff.
You'll be fine.
w/t
01F350SRW
12-06-2002, 22:35
Plug it in tonight baby
its a lil nipplish out there.....burrrr
:D :D
chagburg
12-14-2002, 11:35
I was under the impression that the heater would heat the coolant to a certain temp and then kick off, is that wrong? If it doesn't kick off then is there a problem with leaving it plugged in for 10 to 12 hours?
chagburg,
I have never heard anyone suggest there is a thermostat connected to the coolant heater. There is not one on my current diesel, nor on my previous diesel (6.2L).
Several people plug in the heater all night without difficulties to the truck. However, your electric bill will soon show a big increase with that usage. It would be better to get a 15 amp timer from a hardware store and have it come on about two hours before you started the truck.
You can also experiment with how much time your truck needs for the temperature in your area.
Don
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