I have been looking to sell my Chevy gasser and buy a diesel truck. With this in mined I have been following the Ford, Chevy and this site looking for issues. My first choice in a truck would
be the dodge with the cummins. Question; is it only the dodge/cummins that has very little cab heat on cold,cold days. I do not believe I have read any thing on the chevy or ford site
about poor heat in the cab, but there seams to be a lot on this site. I live in Ottawa where the average winter tempature is around -15C and can get down to -28C.

 

its a diesel thing with little cab heat fords chevys and dodge diesels will have that

 

Well I live in Northern IL and I have yet to be cold in the truck. A couple of weekends ago when it was 0 or less (farenheit) out I was in Wisconsin and I had to turn the heat down. I always thought that heat might be an issue but mine can get to warm in the cab at times

 

Charlee I just did a 3800 km run in very cold temps. ie. -35.

I had no heat problems, had the dial set about 3/4 with the fan on second speed.

They will however make very little heat if you let it just sit and idle.

(also not a good thing for your engine)

 

is it a problem to let the truck idle long after its warmed up

 

It is with the 24 Valve trucks. Can apparently lead to cold stacking, carboned valves and bent pushrods......

Think someone on this site reported bent pushrods in last weeks cold snap around here,

Just ramp the idle up to 1200 or so and she'll build heat and be fine.

I use a "throttle stick" you can get them at most truck stops. Hooks under the dash and is adjustable so you can press the acclerator down to however fast you want.

 

ok so it not as big of a deal with the 12v

 

It will take more time to get hot air into the cab in a diesel than a gas engine and a bit longer for a Dodge Cummins than the other two. Reason being, an inline 6 design is much more efficient than a v8 and dissipates heat much faster, which is a great thing. The downside is it just takes a little bit longer to get hot air into the cab.

As far as idling for long periods, the Cummin 600 and 610 are programmed to automatically increase the rpm to 1000 during idling periods when it's cold outside. I'm not sure at what temperature it has to be in order for it to activate though. It's cold here in Wyoming practically everyday and everytime I get in my truck, it'll idle up to 1000 to try and keep combustion cylinder temps up.

And since we're talking cold, here's one for ya. I hadn't run my truck since December 31st and it was -7 F that night. Over the next week, we had temps ranging anywhere from -15 to +20. Yesterday as my brother was bringing me home from work, he bet me that my truck wouldn't start. It has never been plugged in even at those cold temps, has 10,000 mile old 15w-40 oil in it and winter-blend fuel (70/30 I believe). I said it would. I turn the key, let the grid heater cycle one time, and, even though it turnewd over slowly due to the batteries getting drained from the cold, it fired right up. It didn't cough, spit, stutter or anything. As soon as it started, the rpm went right to 1000 and it sounded just like it was summertime. I have yet to see a PowerStroke start that well. I was extremely impressed.

 

Cold weather will affect both 12 and 24 valves the same. Unless you ramp up the idle to keep them warm.

 

Hey a 305/555 with the "Old Elecrtonics" fires up to a 1000 rpm. when below 32 F. Great feture to have especially when you use the block heater duh? Twelve blocks from home and the cummins gives heat....no complaints. Is this another survey?

 

I haven't had any problems with my 93...

 

I always "idle up" my truck. Better oiling to the bottomend, and keeps the heat in the engine better. In my KW if its below -30, it gets idled at 1350 or so. BTW it runs at 1475 at 65mph, so if I sleep 8 hours, thats the same as driving about 6 for fuel consumption. But it stays warm. If it's warmer than that, I just run my Espar bunk and engine heaters.

 

When I'm letting it idle I use an old time hookit under the dash slider rods. I run it to about 1100 RPM's. Keeps it warm...

 

nope, the 24v's have a much worse problem with cold idle... it still causes wear on the 12v engine, but the easy breathing 24v's are much more prone to wet stacking and the lot.

in cold temps, just block the radiator and plug in whenever you can. at least with the Cummins, it'll actually START in those temps... you don't hear about heater problems w/ Chevys and Fords because guys in those climates don't BUY them! LOL!

Forrest

 

I'm glad I drive a Dodge,,, and a 12 valve too...