Hey, i just got a used 99 24v and i was wondering how long it should take the engine to reach operating temp. On my 15 minute drive to school it barely reaches 160f.<br><br>thanks

 

Short drives are hard on a diesel! :P

 

my ride to work is about the same and your right about not warming up. i run mine for 5 minutes before i leave and get going, if your all highway for 15 minutes it will never warm up. i actually take a little longer trip w/ some backroads to run it a bit longer...gotta keep those batteries charged too...

 

barracuda is right about the batteries. They take a while to get charged back up also.

 

If its cold outside, get a timer and plug the motor into it. Set it to come on about 3-4 hours before your ready to go. Unplug it and you should have heat in the truck within a couple minutes. If reallly cold just plug it in and forget about it if kept outside. <br><br>Dave

 

Not to be wise or anything but you've got the wrong vehicle for short hops. You would be better off to buy a clunker for those short hops and let the diesel set for the week end. If you can't do that, then make sure you keep your oil changed on a fairly short interval cause you're not getting it hot enough to boil off moisture and all which will create acids and stuff in the crank case which is un-good.<br><br>Just my two pennies, I'm sure someone will disagree.

 

I'm not an expert, but I sometimes play one on the internet I agree with dieseldude on the short trip not being the best for a diesel theory. I bought a daily town driver last year,the 96 in my sig. When I test drove it, you wouldnt believe the cobwebs that I blew out of it I think if you would take it out and load (run it or tow with it)it once in a while you would be alright. As far as the warm up, I would let it idle a while longer in the morning(high idle if you have one)otherwise you might(after five minutes or so of warmup)downshift and run at a little higher rpm. That would help it warm up a little faster. Just my thoughts.

 

i drive 37 miles to work do you think that is long enough one way?

 

If you're serious..yes it is. If you're not...no, get one farther away I had a job that I drove 55 miles one way. I got to where I dreaded the drive a LOT worse than the work I really dont worry about any thing too much. I like these trucks and I'm gonna drive one, no matter what or where I have to go, hard on it or not I figure lots of folks feel the same way?

 

Thanks for the info guys. I do drive about 250 miles almost every weekend to go home. But i'll be sure to take your advice and change the oil more frequently.

 

Thats probably not too bad then if you are doing that.