Warming Up Diesel

[Duwammer]

I'm new to the Diesel thing and wondering. I recently purchased a 1992 Dodge 250 Turbo Diesel w/ 264,000 miles on it. How long do you let these things warm up before driving them both winter and summer. I live in Michigan.

Thanks Dwayne

[fredjacksonsan]

I don't own a diesel, but have driven work trucks and such that had them. Usually a couple of minutes, until you can rev it up; when cold the diesel will try to die out or not rev up when you push on the gas. That will give you less power until it warms up. Once that goes away it should be fine. But as long as you have good oil pressure you should be ok.

You could also check at:

www.turbodieselregister.com

[RELENTLESSAPBT]

Rule Of Thumb Around Here ,wyoming, Is To Wait At Least Until The Alternator Is Charging Well And Then Take It Easy Until Water Temp Is Above 140. Also At Idle In Winter Could Idle All Day And Still Be Cold.

[Duwammer]

I bought the truck from a woman whose husband was sent to Iraq. She told me to be sure and let it warm up real good before driving it.

The only other person I know that owns a diesel is a guy from work. He has a newer Ford and claims if he don't let it warm up at least a 1/2 hour before it sounds like it is going to blow up when he takes off.

I was letting mine warm up 10 min or so and then going easy on it until it I got to the main road by then it would come up to temp.

[BleedDodge]

You got a block heater? A good idea is to plug it in even if it's close to freezing so it's easy to start, and then that way it's not so cold.

10 minutes should be enough when it's not too cold outside. If it's -40 outside and you start it up, it's probably a good idea to let it run for a good 45 minutes or so. Anything you can do to keep the truck warm is helpful. A garage, or throwing a tarp over the grille and hood are good ideas.

[RELENTLESSAPBT]

Even A Quartz Light Setting Under The Oil Pan Helps Alot.

[Duwammer]

Yes, it does have a plug for the block heater and I have used it a couple of times this winter.

The truck is my hunting/nasty weather vehicle so I only plug it in if I know I'm going to drive it.

Ok, do you think it's a good/bad idea to leave the block heater pluged in while the truck is warming up??

[fredjacksonsan]

Once the engine is running I'd go ahead and unplug it, as the engine will be heating up the coolant at that point, and much faster than the plug in does.

Probably wouldn't hurt to leave it plugged in, though but you might drive off with it still attached.

.

[moparboy99]

Ok I have been working on these trucks for a long time and we start them right up and take off. the only thing that you need to whatch is mixing your fuels or adding some anti-gel additive otherwise we'll be seeing you on the back of a hook when the truck won't start. all I recamend is letting it warm for about 10 mins and go. you anit going to hurt anything and if it souds like it is going to come apart its because its a diesel thay call it ethire knock and its nother.