Grill covers for diesel engines

[boje]

I put my cover on last week, when we had 5 days of below zero weather. My question is, at what temperature should I remove it? It is a factory cover for a 2008 Chevy 2500HD. It can not be adjusted to let in any air flow. Day time highs next week look like high 20's / low 30's.

[Trailer Trash 2]

Good qusetion, I had a Volvo years ago with one over the radeator, the one that looked like a old Ford in body style, it had a radeator cover that was just like a window shade which could be adjusted from inside the car with a chain. to bad you cant put that old tecknolage to work for your grill cover. I have seen 18 wheelers with snaps down the center and they would unsnap it so far and it was like a V opening for air.

[kerry]

Don't know about GM or Ford, but Dodge offers a "Cold Front" that has velcro flaps to adjust the amount of air entering the radiator. Kerry

[ols1932]

When I was driving school bus in Cedar Rapids, IA, our buses were equipped with covers and each day the mechanics would decide whether they were to be closed, open, or partially open. My pickup with its diesel engine never was covered in the same temperatures. No problems.

Orv

[bigmurf]

What's a grille cover? gg

[DONnANNIE]

quote:boje Posted - Dec 11 2009 : 3:21:22 PM
I put my cover on last week, when we had 5 days of below zero weather. My question is, at what temperature should I remove it? It is a factory cover for a 2008 Chevy 2500HD. It can not be adjusted to let in any air flow. Day time highs next week look like high 20's / low 30's.

I just ordered a grill cover yesterday - $70. It snaps into place. It also has a screen for summer use. It, also, snaps into place.

When the temp gets down to 20 degrees or lower it takes forever to heat up the cab. Last year I used cardboard in front of the radiator from Dec to Feb/Mar. It helped warm the cab up sooner, yet the engine temp remained normal.

[Clyde n Deb]

I usually don't mess with mine unless it gets into single digits. I have run it in the 40's with no adverse effects.

[Tom S.]

When the temp hits 40, I take ours off.

[grampachet]

Another advantage of a gasser? Don't have/need a grill cover.

[cmp-shooter]

I use mine all winter it don't affect anything as long as you are not towing.. look at your temp guage ,it helps keep heat in truck warmer.

[Montana Sky]

I ran the front cover on my Duramax anytime the temps dropped below 40 degrees. As long as I was not towing, I was not concerned if temps rose above 40 for a day or two.

[dsprik]

I am running my 2002 2500HD D/A up to N. Mich this coming Tue (15th). By the time I hit Saginaw it is supposed to be 8°. I have my grill cover up in Bellaire waiting for me when I get home. I will find out how well the Duramax holds heat at that temp. However, I plan on putting it on and leaving it for the 10 days we are up there. I have never had it on.

Also I have to go outside here and check to see if I have a block heater on my engine. I have never noticed it, but the cord is supposed to be wire tied under the block, out of the elements? I believe someone said the Duramax comes standard with it. My neighbor, a Dodge owner, told me that the Cummins does not come standard with the heater.

All this cold weather stuff... Have had the truck for 3½ yrs now and it has not seen snow under my watch. Bought some Diesel Kleen w/ anti gel yesterday at Wally World here in Kissimmee. 83° yesterday here...

[richfaa]

The covers always went on all the school busses when the temp got to be where it would stay in the 20's or so. Made a big difference. Never had one for our diesel as it never sees cold weather

[mtheo]

I read owner manual when I first got my truck, Chevy says bloke heater and grill cover is not needed until temps are below 10 degrees.

[mtheo]

I read owner manual when I first got my truck, Chevy says block heater and grill cover is not needed until temps are below 10 degrees.

[dsprik]

quote:Originally posted by mtheo

I read owner manual when I first got my truck, Chevy says block heater and grill cover is not needed until temps are below 10 degrees.

Just read my 2002 GMC Duramax manual and it mentioned the grill cover was not necessary until below 0° and not recommended above 32°. Block heater was recommended below 20° for a minimum of four hours prior to start. So 10° would be a good general guideline and less confusing.

Also trying to look up "block heater" in the manual proved frustrating. It is an "Engine Coolant Heater"...

[Montana Sky]

Dave, I've run my Duramax in temps at -28 before the windchill without the cover. It will run and hold heat, but dont expect the interior to be "toasty". The new truck did not come with a grill cover, but I plan on picking one up next week at the dealership.

[dsprik]

Thanks, Dave. I guess I should not get too concerned about rushing to put that cover on then. Temps are supposed to get near the zero mark this next week. I'll just watch and see how temps hold in the truck. I found my plug in for my engine coolant heater. It was not an easy task. Did not expect the cord to be a small flat design.

[Tom S.]

Dave, if the temps are going to be zero, I'd put the cover on (unless towing). It makes a really big difference on how quick the engine warms up and therefore how warm the cab gets. Our truck came with two covers, one for the grill and one for the bumper air inlets. I've only used the one for the grill, but like I said, it really helps.

[dsprik]

Thanks, Tom. I may reconsider...