Plugging in my diesel
- Thread starter crow
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I would be... Good idea to get yourself a Alaska heat pad or pads for your oil pan ( different sizes & watts).... Good stuff .. I put that chit on everything !
AreWeThereYet
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If the stick on heater wattage is too much, all you will be doing it cooking the oil at the bottom of the pan and over time you'll build up a nice layer of burnt crap.
All I do is make sure you are running a winter synthetic like Duron-E 0w-40(I run this oil year round), use a winter front(myself I have one I made and it's against my intercooler), and plug the truck in.
All I do is make sure you are running a winter synthetic like Duron-E 0w-40(I run this oil year round), use a winter front(myself I have one I made and it's against my intercooler), and plug the truck in.
For sure wouldn't hurt. My general rule is -15C, but sometimes won't. Below -20C all the time. But the longer it's been sitting the harder it will start, it's weird but 3 days over 1 and there will be a massive difference in how it starts. But no I am not plugging mine in tonight.
But I will say, I do like to test out a new truck and to make sure it will start at -20C without being plugged in when you don't need it the next day, just incase one day you can't plug it in so you know it will start. A newer diesel should start at -30C unassisted, but not good for it.
But I will say, I do like to test out a new truck and to make sure it will start at -20C without being plugged in when you don't need it the next day, just incase one day you can't plug it in so you know it will start. A newer diesel should start at -30C unassisted, but not good for it.
Not a pan heater fan either, diesel heater is the way to go, or just plug it in. Even at -30C a start is never that hard if you cycle the intake heaters a few times.
Correct, As per 'Are We There yet'... Measure your pan before you purchase as for the different sizes & watts... Rule of thumb is 15-30 watts per quart of oil. You do that & will not have any problems.
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400hp
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if u plan on having diesel trucks for awhile get a espar deisel heater installed ($2500) that includes the blower for cab heat!! awesome ....when u sell yr truck just take heater off and put on new truck. Its a bit of $$ to spend but never have to worry about cold starting and cab is nice and warm!
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- #9
Ya one of the guys that quad with us put one in on his last year but big investment....Not sure if they're all the same but he didn't even have to start his truck, just pushed the button and his window defrosted and heated the cab
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- #10
OVERKILL 19
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FYI,I think your block heater does not work til -12 or -15 if I remember right. Kipp scott told me that when i complained my Enclave heater was not working.
slomo
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block heater will only turn on when temp reaches -18c,so plug it in and it will turn on when the temp drops
I could be wrong but I believe that diesel block heaters are different. I remember my last gas job had a little circle on the plug that kicked the heater in when it got cold enough. My diesel doesn't have one.
dodgeguy
Active VIP Member
Excellent suggestions on getting A high quality TRUE synthetic in that duramax, a pan heater I think is really overkill unless your going to the high arctic....lol The Espar heaters work amazing also. And I have fished out numerous block heater cords for the Chevy diesel guys in the last week, and the duramax does not have a -18C thermostat in the cord. Unsure about the gas trucks, but then all gas Chevys must run a DEXOS1 oil....
However since the question was about being unsure whether to pluggin in or not, just do it....saves a longer warm up time, and just less wear and tear on the motor...JMHO :d
However since the question was about being unsure whether to pluggin in or not, just do it....saves a longer warm up time, and just less wear and tear on the motor...JMHO :d
dodgeguy
Active VIP Member
Not trying to start an argument... but IF there is a high quality TRUE synthetic there is no need in my opinion. I grew up with diesels (GM 6.2L N/A - 6.5L T) and anytime I would start those trucks up with just a block heater the oil pressure would shoot up immediately.
Now if a cheap conventional 15W-40 oil is used I can see using a pan heater 100%...again JMHO
Now if a cheap conventional 15W-40 oil is used I can see using a pan heater 100%...again JMHO
Phat Cat
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I thought this was a pretty good deal. And located in Canada. Espar HYD D5,12V, external water pump/fuel pump w/ 7-Day-Timer NEW | eBay
Phat Cat
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Not trying to start an argument... but IF there is a high quality TRUE synthetic there is no need in my opinion. I grew up with diesels (GM 6.2L N/A - 6.5L T) and anytime I would start those trucks up with just a block heater the oil pressure would shoot up immediately.
Now if a cheap conventional 15W-40 oil is used I can see using a pan heater 100%...again JMHO
Yep full synthetic oil for sure in the winter. I run synthetic 5w40 year round in my cummins. I used to use synthetic 15w40 in the winter and it was not too bad. Synthetic does not get as thick like conventional oil when its cold.
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All the new diesel trucks should be plugged in below -15*c........ Especially since they all have 15w40 in them. I'm not gonna plug in the next few days just to see what the 2011 cummins does with only 9000 kms on it. Curiosity more than anything. I still have the 15w40 on it after 2 oil changes, but will be switching to 5w40 synthetic next oil change and then shouldn't ever have to worry about not plugging it in. The black beast started no problem this morning in -28*c windchill, so i suspect in the -35*c windchill tonite shouldn't be a problem.
Oil pan heaters are great on older diesels, but don't really need 'em if plugging in the newer trucks as the newer block heaters work great(higher wattage).
Espar heaters work awesome too, but you're payin' $$$ for it
Oil pan heaters are great on older diesels, but don't really need 'em if plugging in the newer trucks as the newer block heaters work great(higher wattage).
Espar heaters work awesome too, but you're payin' $$$ for it
northern bear
RIP May 30,2022
If you read the owners manuals, I believe they state in there you don't need to plug in till -20. At least the Duramax and the Ford 6 leaker did. But that's not saying you can't plug in at a warmer temp. Other than the power bill going up it saves wear on the engine. A warm start is always better than a cold one.
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