Yes I know its a dead horse, but for those of you that don't know or don't remember, IT'S A DIESEL. This is all normal, its not a 5.9 gasser. Maybe I've just been around them and driven them too long. I'm just happy they start, I could care less if they huff and puff and or run on 3 cylinders for a minute or two .

 

Is this on a '98 or a 1st gen?

 

2nd goofed on correct forum. Got the correct info in the 2nd Generation Forum. Sorry.

 

QUOTE]Yes I know its a dead horse, but for those of you that don't know or don't remember, IT'S A DIESEL. This is all normal, its not a 5.9 gasser. Maybe I've just been around them and driven them too long. I'm just happy they start, I could care less if they huff and puff and or run on 3 cylinders for a minute or two .[/QUOTE]

I'm not trying to be difficult, but if I preheat I can drive the truck right away (as long as I don't wrap it). Without the heaters you watch $3 bucks a gallon coming out the tailpipe. I love blotting out the sun with great combustion, but it makes me sick to think of all that coked diesel wearing the cylinders down and caking on the valves and head.

Ok, flame me if you must. Be gentle....

 

I'll see what I can do for pictures...I'll even take some of a 6.7L with grids

Start fine, yes. The difference is in your definition of "Fine."

Chris

 

[QUOTE=bgilbert]...Too much of a drain on the electrical system. Especially short trips in cold weather...QUOTE]

this got me thinking (yeah watch out, THINKING)...

some say that it is harmful to drive a vehicle for a short trip in cold weather because it doesnt allow it to warm up entirely. so its kinda seems like a catch 22 scenario...dont use grid heaters because of the drain on electrical system during short trips, but the grid heaters allow the motor to warm up faster during these short trips. electrical system vs. the idea of a motor suffering from not warming up completely.

my thoughts on this? i dont know. is shutting down a motor before reaching operating temp bad for it? if it is, under what circumstances (i.e. driving style, temperature shutdown at, outside temperature, etc)?

this isnt a flame and or meant to provoke a conflict. just a thought that crossed my mind and curious as to what your thoughts are...

 

Plugging it in will solve both problems. You are right, engines that are run cold wear the cylinder walls at a much greater rate. An old aircraft mechanic demonstrated that to me. He said he could tell what temp thermostat an engine had in it by the size of the ridge at the top of the bores. 160 deg engines just ate the liners!
I would rather chew up a battery any day. You can always throw a solar trickle charger on your dash which will pull the battery up during the day if you have that short of a drive.
Just my .02
Mark

 

Finally, thank you.

 

I use a heavy duty grounded timer and have the block heater go on about two hours before I have to leave.