As you guys know it has been cold lately. I'm driving a 99 Dodge deisel to work every day. It starts OK as long as I plug it in at night; not so well after it sits all day at work. The thing it does not do is warm up well, therefore my footsies are cold.
It usually takes four or five miles to bring the gauge off the bottom (140 degrees). When fully warmed up it's only getting to 170 on the highway and 150 in traffic around town.
In the summer it runs a steady 195, which is what the therostat is rated at.
I'm looking for something that I might be missing that I ought to be doing to help it warm up. Any ideas?
I have a 98.5 2500. 5spd, 4wd. 196600K. Get some 1/8" lexan and cut yourself some block off plates to fit the 4 grill openings from the outside. I build boats and we have 1/8" luan laying around so I made mine from that and coated them with epoxy. Use 1/4" bolts and bolt them through the grille. Cardboard works but isn't the best idea as it changes the air flow to the fan blades. It will unequally load the blades and can cause them to break. Switch to a full synthetic oil, I have run Amsoil since 50K. Also run a fuel additive. I have used Stanadyne performance formula since new as soon as the temp drops.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.stanadyne.com/images/additives/add_performance.jpg)
I plug in every night in the winter. It saves wear and tear on everything, electrically and mechanically.
I also recommend that you check out and join the the Turbo Diesel Register.
http://www.turbodieselregister.com/This is the best resource on your truck that you will ever find. Let me know if you have any questions.
Scott
