dart racer

I just bought my 2001 2500 2wd. Since it has gotten cold here it seems to take an awful long time to warm up. This is my first diesel. Should I change the thermostat or do I just need to get used to this? Sometimes it takes as much as 6 or 7 miles to warm up. Thanks for the help.<br>Mark

Rob Thomas

I changed my t-stat to the 180*, but didnt notice any quicker warm-up, just much more stable gauge needle. However, I did install winter fronts and they sem to help quite a bit, I got them from a member on the TDR site, EricBu12, cheap and easy install.<br><br>Later, Rob

Shovelhead

I use Eric's winter fronts also.<br>In really cold weather I slip a piece of cardboard with a 6&quot; hole cut in the center between the radiator and the charge air cooler to help keep the engine warmer.<br>The hole is for the radiator fan clutch so it stays cool enough that the clutch won't engage.

redneckdr

changing the thermostat won't make any difference in warm up time, since they all should stay closed up to the opening T* if functioning correctly. the only difference you would notice, would be the difference in the final operating T* to whatever T* the thermostat opens. cold fronts help some. i use Lund stainless steel, and like 'em. the diesel just doesn't make much heat 'til you load the engine. cardboard helps some, but, as noted, leave a hole in the center to cool the fan clutch. plugging in at night helps since you start with warmer water to have the engine warm up. the block heater won't warm the water enough to have heat immediately, though.

dart racer

Thanks guys for the help. I really noticed this when I got in and drove straight down a mountain. It did warm up as soon as I got to flatter ground and started loading the engine a little. Thanks again.<br>Mark