[The Dirty Dodge Dually]

I have a 01 3500 cummins. I live in central texas so temps arent all that cold, question is, if i leave the block heater pluged in all night, how long should i let the truck idle in the morrning before i drive it? what are the warm up times depending on temperatures? can leaving the block heater pluged in for extended amounts of time harm anything? Also any other cold weather tips would be appreciated. Im mainly concerned about the longevity of my engine so any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

 

[MarbleCrusher]

I have a 01 3500 cummins. I live in central texas so temps arent all that cold, question is, if i leave the block heater pluged in all night, how long should i let the truck idle in the morrning before i drive it? what are the warm up times depending on temperatures? can leaving the block heater pluged in for extended amounts of time harm anything? Any other cold weather tips?

I leave my block heater plugged in all night if i know its gonna be cold the next morning, even if its not gonna be below freezing cause it helps that heater warm up faster lol. I drive about 7 miles to work and my truck is just getting warmed up when i get to work on a say 30's or so degree morning.

-Jordan-

 

[runit02]

I just let it build oil pressure, and let the grid heater finish cycling and drive easy. Truck is up to temperature under 10 miles. FWIW "cold" here is below 40*

 

[Junkman]

I let it warm up enough so the ps pump quits complaining unless I'm in a hurry. I'll replace it if it breaks.

 

[wontgoslo]

Drive it like a gas engine. Every owner is different. Ive seen guys jump on dozers and backhoes and instantly go to full rpm's and push dirt, for years. I think todays engines are built for buisy working people.

 

[Smokznojokz]

I let mine idle as long as I can before all the lights are on at the neighbors on both sides of my house:rof

I hate being "that guy" with the obnoxious vehicle so I find myself driving driving it much colder than I'd really like to. I just take it really easy and don't coax it into 4th at low speeds like I do when it's warm

 

[runit02]

Drive it like a gas engine. Every owner is different. Ive seen guys jump on dozers and backhoes and instantly go to full rpm's and push dirt, for years. I think todays engines are built for buisy working people.

I've seen that too. I highly reccommend letting anything warm up to operating temp before getting on it.

 

[stackedupcummins]

i had the same question about thanksgivin when it got cold here cause my fuel heater went out until i got it fixed and the dealership said it would be fine to plug it in every nite all nite if you want to, but not much over 50 degrees tho

 

[inlinecumminspower]

Well if your going for longevity, and taking care of your rig. I would suggest letting it warm up to 160. Also a high idle feature is nice because it puts the motor in a smoother rhythm. Your water temp is always higher then your oil temp. at first start up. So letting your water temp get up to running temp for several minutes before working the motor hard. Essentially your oil pressure is always higher when you first start your truck for the day be cause its cold. You'll notice where it is when its warm and where it is when its cold. I think by letting everything get to ideal temp it will increase your truck life significantly.

 

[Clunk]

I let the clutch out as soon as the oil pressure is up but speed limit/easy driving until it hits 190F.

 

[MasterLow]

I let it idle for 2 minutes, the keep the rpm's under 1500 until it hits about 170.

 

[drunk on diesel]

idling one of these things to 160* every time you drive it is a good way to accelerate wear on the rings...

these engines are meant to be worked, not idled... idling a cold diesel is NOT good for it

 

[inlinecumminspower]

Well your right. Re read my post and you'll see I mentioned having a high idle feature, thus raising oil pressure, and putting a smoother rhythm on the crank, leading to a faster warm up for oil and water temp. :thumbsup:

 

[BigBadTurboI6]

I fire it up and unless its cold enough to hit high idle I drive within about 1-2 minutes, maybe 3 if I'm really being slow. I keep it out of boost and try not to go over 2K RPM till its in the "normal" range on the temp gauge. Once in normal I will drive it a lil harder if I'm in the mood, but don't beat on it till its fully warmed.

If its cold enough for it to high idle I'll let it do its thing for maybe 2-4 minutes and away I go. Same for 3 Cyl High Idle.

 

[Dracozny]

till the heater thaws the freezing fog accumulation on the windshield. i used to idle it till the grids quit, but that takes forever, lol 10 minutes tops anymore. as cold as it is waiting on water temp to crest 140 I'd be waiting long past sunrise. she warms quick once she gets on the highway. its just too big of an engine to idle up to temp IMO
during the summer i just get in and go.

 

[pitacoy]

Newbie here & my 2001 just is not warming up, even in fairly warm days; it takes 20-30 minutes to pass the 140 mark & doesn't heat up to the 190 range; any suggestions on the problem & where I should start checking? Thanks for the assist.

 

[Shainer]

Newbie here & my 2001 just is not warming up, even in fairly warm days; it takes 20-30 minutes to pass the 140 mark & doesn't heat up to the 190 range; any suggestions on the problem & where I should start checking? Thanks for the assist.

Thermostat, replace it.

 

[Carbur8tr]

x2 on the thermostat

 

[BigBadTurboI6]

3rd, I just went through this.

 

[CumminsBeast3500]

diesels require heat in order to fully function, so if you're just cranking and driving its not a wise move, so this means let it WARM UP, our diesel(08 F350 6.4..aka the POS) we ALWAYS let it warm up no less than 10 mins in the summer, in winters at LEAST 30 mins, cause around here(Calgary) it can get DAMN cold, around -30 to -50ºC, cause remember these are NOT gas engines, they have a whole different attitude and require a LOT more care and maintenance, as most of you know all too well, and when i get my 5.9, its gonna be warmed up for about 10-15 mins on average, 25-30 in winter, cause a warm vehicle is a happy vehicle but this is all from my dad (a licensed HD mechanic) and just my opinion as well