|
|
12-11-2009, 08:21 AM
|
#1
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Glenrock
Posts: 155
M.O.C. #8761
|
Grill covers for diesel engines
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.
|
|
|
12-11-2009, 10:30 AM
|
#2
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Santa Fe Springs
Posts: 4,189
M.O.C. #639
|
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.
__________________
Pulling a 2004, 2980 RL an oldie but goodie.
Tow vehicle is a 2009 RED RAM 3500 DRW.
|
|
|
12-11-2009, 12:09 PM
|
#3
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Frostproof
Posts: 512
M.O.C. #7125
|
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
|
|
|
12-11-2009, 12:38 PM
|
#4
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
|
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
|
|
|
12-11-2009, 03:47 PM
|
#5
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sunshine
Posts: 1,445
M.O.C. #538
|
What's a grille cover? gg
|
|
|
12-11-2009, 04:04 PM
|
#6
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Liberty Lake
Posts: 2,310
M.O.C. #6088
|
Quote:
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.
|
|
|
12-12-2009, 03:04 AM
|
#7
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Highlands Ranch
Posts: 464
M.O.C. #3477
|
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.
|
|
|
12-12-2009, 04:50 AM
|
#8
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
|
When the temp hits 40, I take ours off.
|
|
|
12-12-2009, 05:07 AM
|
#9
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,107
M.O.C. #8045
|
Another advantage of a gasser? Don't have/need a grill cover.
|
|
|
12-12-2009, 06:22 AM
|
#10
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: WARE
Posts: 393
M.O.C. #3928
|
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.
|
|
|
12-12-2009, 02:20 PM
|
#11
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Down the Road
Posts: 5,627
M.O.C. #889
|
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.
|
|
|
12-13-2009, 01:36 AM
|
#12
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 5,933
M.O.C. #4282
|
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...
|
|
|
12-13-2009, 02:20 AM
|
#13
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
|
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
|
|
|
12-13-2009, 04:14 AM
|
#14
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: merced
Posts: 983
M.O.C. #6171
|
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.
|
|
|
12-13-2009, 04:16 AM
|
#15
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: merced
Posts: 983
M.O.C. #6171
|
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.
|
|
|
12-13-2009, 04:22 AM
|
#16
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 5,933
M.O.C. #4282
|
Quote:
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"...
|
|
|
12-13-2009, 09:43 AM
|
#17
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Down the Road
Posts: 5,627
M.O.C. #889
|
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.
|
|
|
12-13-2009, 05:01 PM
|
#18
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 5,933
M.O.C. #4282
|
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.
|
|
|
12-14-2009, 12:18 AM
|
#19
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
|
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.
|
|
|
12-14-2009, 01:21 AM
|
#20
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 5,933
M.O.C. #4282
|
Thanks, Tom. I may reconsider...
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|