The block heater is the way to go. Its the cheapest and one of the best mods I've ever done to my truck... probably easiest to install too.

The oil will get some heat in it if you leave the heater on long enough. Your mileage may vary though depending on just how cold it gets.

Leaving mine on for about 3 hours will defrost the windshield and melt any snow or ice that is on the hood. The very best part is just after startup you get warm air. Its not hot air but its not ambient either!

 

Mine makes all kinds of noises as it gets colder. Squeaks, chirps, clunks, and bumps, it just what happens when you live in cold climates. I still check though. Today its back in the 50s and the nosies that occurred in 30 degrees are not there today.

I will say that the block heater is a must if you live in a colder climate. Truck runs better and seems to not use as much fuel on trips when it was plugged in. I think the neighbors appreciate it too since my truck doesn't have to idle as much at 5 in the morning when going hunting.

 

I like running a quart of Lucas in mine. I think it helps.

 

ouch.......

 

huh???????

 

trik396. There you go on the oil additive bashing. Like the slick 50 thread. I believe slick 50 is garbage for the simple fact that knowledgeable people like the guys at Blackstone have said. Once again, we have no reason to disagree, or at least I don't. As far as you and the Lucas, what is the reasoning behind your disapproval of Lucas???? There has to be a reason why you disagree with adding Lucas to the 5.9 cummins. Blackstone sure recommends it. Please inform us why you don't like it and the knowledge you have to back it up. Just wondering. If you know something that we don't, please let us know.

 

trik396. This is the only reason I might agree with you on Lucas. Check it out. It is just hard for me to not think its good if Blackstone tells me that all the 5.9 cummins that they have seen use it come back great on test. You might be right. I might stop using it.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm

 

I would do a valve adjust if its never been done made a big difference in my 03 when the dealer said "its just normal noise" ..........not. Try an oil change with synthetic, more stable in viscosity, better cold flow and dont thin out quite as much when hot, stops the big oil presure swings. I also installed battery blankets on both batteries and may put on a pan heater too. It's currently -36C here and about -47 wind chill. As far as oil I run Rotella 15/40 ,synthetic for the chillyer times of the year, has been good and ya get the nice aromatic sent in the cab from the fresh new oil no oil additives here just run a good fuel conditioner with water Demulsifier (let your fuel filter do its job).

 

all my noises at cold start went away since ive been adding 28-30oz of 2stroke to my fuel...........seriously all cold start noise gone!

 

I see we can agree as stated in last thread.

Oil entrapped with air is not a good thing.