All you Alberta guys know how cold it was this week. I had the truck plugged in, ambient temp was about -30 C whe I fired it up (no problems). I was surprised that the grid heaters didn't cycle though. So I let it warm up on high idle (1400 rpm) for 5 min or so, put the seat heater on and go. I have to drive about 70 km to work, and by about 30 km the temp gauge is ALMOST up to normal, then it's like the thermostat opens and the gauge drops again. The heater is blowing warm, but by the time I got to work, it still wasn't up to full temp. I don't have a true winter front yet, but I do have a piece of cardboard partially blocking the rad. Does this warm up time sound right, or should I get it looked at. Talking to our local Cummins service manager, he said the grid heater should have cycled. He also said that these engines run on 3 cylinders for the first little bit when cold. it is the 2006 MC, 20,000 km, 5W40 premium blue extreme oil.

Thanks in advance.

 

thats the same thing i do except i will turn the key off and do a second preheat before i start it . when i drive i make sure the button to circulate the cab air is on so not to pull the cold air through the heater core. and when the stat opens mine does that too, the rads in these things are huge, it's probally twice the size of the one in my hammy truck (lol @ hammy ever see over the hedge??) my feelings on service managers , really all they are is schedulars , and middle men for the customer and the mechs. if you really wanna know talk to the guys who pull the wrenches in the trenches cause they are the ones who really know .

 

Back when my truck didnt have the espar, but used the block heater, it would be a 90C in 4-5 miles, at 65mph

I always turned the defrost on after starting, (works the engine a little),

then it idled at 800 for 2 mins, automaticly up to 1000 for 2 more mins,

then drive off, not wfo, the key is dont use the heater until the engine opens the thermostat at 90c, and keep the winter front completly closed until you hear the engine fan start kicking in/out of high speed,

My trucks would have you sweating in 15 mins of driving, 5 mins now that I have the espars.

 

its sounds to me like you were driving too fast with a cardboard winterfront!

you need a winter front, the mopar kit also includes battery blankets. its worth the $200 beans.

 

Definitely get a winter front. Grillz makes a reasonably priced 5 piece setup/

 

Just wanted to mention- I have the Grillz summer front (if this 5 piece thing is a summer & winter set). It looks great, but with my honeycomb grill, I get a lot of whistling at highway speeds. My brother doesn't on his 06, but I don't think it's the same grill. I had the Cloud Rider setup on my 03, and it fits and looks great. They make summer and winter fronts. I thought I'd try the Grillz for something new, but now I wish I'd stuck with Cloud rider.(My 2 cents!) PS Kind of interesting that all of us on this cold topic are from frigid Alberta!

 

It was -38C when I started 'er up this morning. I keep it plugged in and have battery blankets and an oil pan heater, and the Cloud Rider grille inserts.

I wait about 1 minute from startup, put it in N and turn the high idle to 1200. Let it run like that 5 mins, and go.

It's usually blowing warm air in about 5 mins of driving at in town speeds.

 

The Jacobs exhaust brake will help warm-up on an '06 auto truck. Even when using the cruise control to turn on high idle, as long as you leave it at 1100 RPM, the jake brake will still help with warm-up. If you kick up the RPM above 1100, the jake brake turns off.

Tony

 

I cut a piece of cardboard that fits in front of the rad and behind the intercooler. The power steering cooler lines stop it from falling out the bottom. I cut a 6" hole in the center and it works great even at -40. I dont like blocking the grill off, i like keeping as much cold air as i can get going threw the intercooler to keep the intake air cool and help egt's.

 

Have to admit, I like the cloudrider setup better. I have the cloudrider allseason grill. Didn't reall worry too much about the grill for winter. Just wanted something to keep me warmer. So I went with the Grillz. 50 bucks cheaper, but a little sloppy on the bumper guard fit. No big deal, does what I wanted it to do.

 

I have a Lund set up painted to match my sport front end, it helps but the mopar unit is way better. It was $160 or so, has flaps that you can open and close as temps dictate, and covers way better than one that blocks off up at the grill.

 

Mopar has a winter front for these? Behind the grill?

 

Yeah it's a big blanket that covers everything well.



Here is a pic I poached from B-man, I can take any specific photos you want. I only use my Lund because I like the looks of it.

 

I also have the mopar front, and it is great. Recommend it to anyone.

 

cool...thanks for the pic