View Full Version : Diesel warmup times
Fordwheeler
10-27-2008, 04:32 PM
Just wondering how long I should wait to let my engine warm up. I usually wait till the temp needle is just above the blue line. It still puffs white smoke at this temp so I was just currious if I should be waiting longer.
Also I have a 2km hill that I have to take if I am leaving town and my truck doesn't have time to get to normal operating temp by the time I reach this hill. Should I let it warm up more if I am taking this hill? Speed limit is only 70km/hr and I'm only doing 2000rpm in 4th gear to keep up to speed.
Still a rookie with diesels and I want to be as good to my truck as I can.
I keep mine plugged in for at least 3 hrs before I crank it, let it warm up for about 5-7 mins then I keep it under 50 km/h and under 2000 rpm until I see the water temp needle moving off the line
shelbyx1
10-28-2008, 12:40 AM
you may have concerns with the glow plugs,is it a bugger to start cold and smoke like crazy?and i would have to agree with the 5 min warmup.and in colder weather you may what to change to a synth.blend oil.
you may have concerns with the glow plugs,is it a bugger to start cold and smoke like crazy?and i would have to agree with the 5 min warmup.and in colder weather you may what to change to a synth.blend oil.
agreed, I run Syn 5w40 Valvoline Premium Blue, can get it at any cummins distributor
http://www.valvoline.com/images/products/productpages/bottle_bot_VV70518.jpg
Fordwheeler
10-28-2008, 12:47 PM
Yeah i already put synthetic in it. Sounds like I am doing good with my warmups, thanks guys. Oh and she starts great I was just wondering how long to warm it up.
LayinHp
10-28-2008, 05:14 PM
normally you can tell by the way it runs if its warm enough, if its still rattling and chugging (sorta sounds like a 2pack a day wheezing smoker @ 60 lol j/k) then its to cold if it surges/seems to missfire when driving its still cold and take it easy
block heaters work good, but you can invest in a circulatory type pump that keeps the coolant warm and moving through rad and block.... but there not cheap Wabasto makes them for bigrigs and large equipment with diesel motors and im sure they make a universal for pickups
shelbyx1
10-28-2008, 07:49 PM
normally you can tell by the way it runs if its warm enough, if its still rattling and chugging (sorta sounds like a 2pack a day wheezing smoker @ 60 lol j/k) then its to cold if it surges/seems to missfire when driving its still cold and take it easy
block heaters work good, but you can invest in a circulatory type pump that keeps the coolant warm and moving through rad and block.... but there not cheap Wabasto makes them for bigrigs and large equipment with diesel motors and im sure they make a universal for pickups
wabasto make a diesel fired heater for these,even comes with a remote and timer,have installed in f350 and busses,works great!:)
You also need to cool them down before shutting down. Let it sit and idle for 5mins. Your head gaskets will thank you. The old man would have killed me had I just shut of equipment after working it all day.
HTRDDSL
11-09-2008, 12:06 PM
That's one thing that is nice about the 08 Diesel. You can start it easily down to -23 without plugging it in. I've done it. Starts just like a gas truck. And no white smoke or loud rattling. But below that you definitely have to plug it in. However having said that I still plug it it in once the temp drops below -10.