More Heat
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2006
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More Heat
I am trying to get my wife off my back and get more heat from the heater out of her 2000 7.3 Excursion. I run the block heater at night and she starts it 15 min before going anywhere with an autostart. I am going to block the grill with a peice of cardboard. Any other suggestions on how to get more heat? She is on my *ss because I got her the 7.3 instead of a 2004 6.0. Would that have gotten any warmer faster?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 351
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From: In the Georgia Pines
might want to change out the thermostat to one of the 201's. that might help a bit. i dont know about blocking off the grill though. i guess if you have cold winters that might help, but i'd be worried about keeping the engine cool once it got up to NOT (normal operating temp).
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire
i just instaled a 203 thermostat..my truck throws alot more heat but not any faster..i instaled it cause a diesel runs better hot..http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=186
i also got a aluminum housing cause ive been told when you change them the stock housing will leak http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=188 the only other way is to get a DP tuner with the high idel..i got one on mine i use it every mornin after oil presure is up.let it idel 15 minutes its throwing heat..good luck
i also got a aluminum housing cause ive been told when you change them the stock housing will leak http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=188 the only other way is to get a DP tuner with the high idel..i got one on mine i use it every mornin after oil presure is up.let it idel 15 minutes its throwing heat..good luck
Last edited by ron's power stoke; Nov 7, 2006 at 04:49 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Parker, CO
I got her the 7.3 instead of a 2004 6.0. Would that have gotten any warmer faster?
If you use an automatic timer, make sure the block heater has been running for around 3 hours or so. After you crank, you don't have to let it idle for an extended period of time. Diesel's need a load to inject more fuel. More fuel = more heat. At idle, the air/fuel ratio is rediculously lean, which is why your truck isn't warming up in the driveway.
When I use the block heater, I can turn the heat on in my truck sooner than I can my Grand Am or X3. It does take longer before the engine is completely warmed up to normal, but at least with the block heater it has a head start.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2006
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Thanks Pocket,
Are you saying that the truck sitting at idle isn't going to produce much heat, even compared to an external temp of 0 to -20F. Or are you just comparing it to having a higher idle? Here is another question... The auto start has a timed start option where it can start every hour and run for 15 minutes and shut down. If she did this a couple times before she left, would that help, or just put more wear and tear on the engine?
Are you saying that the truck sitting at idle isn't going to produce much heat, even compared to an external temp of 0 to -20F. Or are you just comparing it to having a higher idle? Here is another question... The auto start has a timed start option where it can start every hour and run for 15 minutes and shut down. If she did this a couple times before she left, would that help, or just put more wear and tear on the engine?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire
Originally Posted by eatfish
Thanks Pocket,
Are you saying that the truck sitting at idle isn't going to produce much heat, even compared to an external temp of 0 to -20F. Or are you just comparing it to having a higher idle? Here is another question... The auto start has a timed start option where it can start every hour and run for 15 minutes and shut down. If she did this a couple times before she left, would that help, or just put more wear and tear on the engine?
Are you saying that the truck sitting at idle isn't going to produce much heat, even compared to an external temp of 0 to -20F. Or are you just comparing it to having a higher idle? Here is another question... The auto start has a timed start option where it can start every hour and run for 15 minutes and shut down. If she did this a couple times before she left, would that help, or just put more wear and tear on the engine?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Parker, CO
Originally Posted by eatfish
Thanks Pocket,
Are you saying that the truck sitting at idle isn't going to produce much heat, even compared to an external temp of 0 to -20F. Or are you just comparing it to having a higher idle?
Are you saying that the truck sitting at idle isn't going to produce much heat, even compared to an external temp of 0 to -20F. Or are you just comparing it to having a higher idle?
Idling normally, our engines produce very little heat, and not enough to start warming the engine up. In fact, you can start your truck in the cold 0 to -20 temps, let it sit and idle for hours, and the temp gauge will not go up to the middle of the normal range. It will rise a little, but you'll still have cool air coming out the heater. At idle, our engines are just really big air pumps.
A high idle helps a little, but it still won't warm your truck up as fast as just driving it. Again, no load on the engine.
And starting it several times overnight really won't help either. Again, you are idling, and the engine cools off too much between those start times.
Keep in mind that these engines are big, and that's a lot of mass to heat up. Also the cooling system works very very well. These engines are designed for work and towing, and have to stay cool. So if it takes a few extra minutes to warm up, that's the price you pay.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire
i live in northern nh just up the road from mt washington ..we have had 10 to 20 degree weather for over a month now..i havnt yet pluged my truck in..it would take a long time to warm up so when i got my tuner i asked jody to put a high idel on it..he set it for 1100 RPM's.my truck now thows heat in 15 minutes..believe it or not..but im very happy..
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Logistics Pro
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My truck will put out heat after a few minutes if I just start it up and let it idle. The temp will also get up to the normal range after a while by just idling. Of course, I wouldn't drive like it is, as the driveline and such are all cold still, but the engine at least gets warm and puts plenty of heat out of the vents.
I don't know how you guys who live where you get snow and ice every night in the winter can just start and drive off with no heat in the cab or even enough to melt the ice off the windows.
I don't know how you guys who live where you get snow and ice every night in the winter can just start and drive off with no heat in the cab or even enough to melt the ice off the windows.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire
Originally Posted by ryaneverk2
My truck will put out heat after a few minutes if I just start it up and let it idle. The temp will also get up to the normal range after a while by just idling. Of course, I wouldn't drive like it is, as the driveline and such are all cold still, but the engine at least gets warm and puts plenty of heat out of the vents.
I don't know how you guys who live where you get snow and ice every night in the winter can just start and drive off with no heat in the cab or even enough to melt the ice off the windows.
I don't know how you guys who live where you get snow and ice every night in the winter can just start and drive off with no heat in the cab or even enough to melt the ice off the windows.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
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Ron, I agree a high idle setting on the chip is nice and handy as you can kick it on any time. Did you know that the truck actually will go into high idle on its own a minute or two after you start it, when it's cold out? It also will close the ebpv. 
I do like the setting on the chip, though, so you can just tell it to high idle any time you like. 
I do like the setting on the chip, though, so you can just tell it to high idle any time you like.
Post Fiend
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From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire
yes i did but it would only idel at 750-800.thats not enouph to raise the oil presure to push the cold oil to the top..its not enouph to stop wet backing..and it takes for ever to heat..my ebpv still works.i hear it kick on do to the 5" strait pipe..it sounds like a jet
.and that as well helps heat faster.in january and febuary we will be 30 to 40 below every night the high idel works wounders then....
.and that as well helps heat faster.in january and febuary we will be 30 to 40 below every night the high idel works wounders then....
Last edited by ron's power stoke; Nov 7, 2006 at 06:06 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Central, Al
The ccoling systems in these trucks is super efficient but on cold mornings (relative) coldest here this year has been low 30's I have above ambient air after 5 minutes of idleing while i finish getting ready to leave and by the time i am 3 miles down the road i have to turn the heat down.
Now if your T-stat was stuck open it will take you truck 3 forevers and 2 eterninties to warm up at idle (even High Idle). As soon as you crank the truck in the AM grab the upper radiator hose and see if there is any pressure in it. There shouldnt be any if there is check Rons Links in post #3
Now if your T-stat was stuck open it will take you truck 3 forevers and 2 eterninties to warm up at idle (even High Idle). As soon as you crank the truck in the AM grab the upper radiator hose and see if there is any pressure in it. There shouldnt be any if there is check Rons Links in post #3
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire
Originally Posted by amiller93
The ccoling systems in these trucks is super efficient but on cold mornings (relative) coldest here this year has been low 30's I have above ambient air after 5 minutes of idleing while i finish getting ready to leave and by the time i am 3 miles down the road i have to turn the heat down.
Now if your T-stat was stuck open it will take you truck 3 forevers and 2 eterninties to warm up at idle (even High Idle). As soon as you crank the truck in the AM grab the upper radiator hose and see if there is any pressure in it. There shouldnt be any if there is check Rons Links in post #3
Now if your T-stat was stuck open it will take you truck 3 forevers and 2 eterninties to warm up at idle (even High Idle). As soon as you crank the truck in the AM grab the upper radiator hose and see if there is any pressure in it. There shouldnt be any if there is check Rons Links in post #3