Duramax cold weather starts

[HiggySTL]

Any of you guys have any issues with cold starts in the winter? This will be my first winter where the weather is cold enough for me to be concerned with this so I thought I would ask a few questions to see what you guys have experienced.

 

Anyone know if the remote start will automatically wait for the glow plugs to warm up before it starts? I am assuming it is tied into it somehow where it does. In other words in cold weather when I remote start it, it will probably have a much longer pause before it actually cranks over to start because it is waiting for the glow plugs to warm up.

 

Does anyone plug their trucks in in the winter. If so, at what temp do you deem it necessary?

 

What about oil? Do you guys change the oil to a 5w40 vice 15w40 for the colder weather?

 

I know these are probably some newbie questions, but again this will be my first winter. Any input is appreciated.

[Doug Rosewood]

How cold are we talking here. I live in an area that gets pretty damn cold, and know plenty of people that get by fine without plugging in. The biggest headache is treating the fuel, and ive heard bio likes to crystalize in the cold.

[Supreme Pizza]

My guess is that if you did nothing at all to prepare, it would start up just fine with no problems. Cold weather prep seems like it was more important on older technology diesels. That being said, I have never owned that model truck, and although I have worked on many many diesel engines, I have never owned one for personal use. I'm sure there are plenty of people on this forum must already own that truck and will have some insight on the matter.

Edited September 12, 2017 by starman8tdc

[i82much]

It depends on the reid vapor pressure and the static gravity of the fuel you are using. See, the volatility varies with temperature and cetane, and this can cause a gelatinous mass to form under very specific barometric and temperature conditions. Of course this is all altitude-dependent and partly a function of the filtration scheme used by the refinery. As long as the pressure density of your fuel stays below the Kelvin coefficient under the specific conditions you are trying to start your vehicle, you should be fine.

 

Just kidding, I haven't got a freaking clue.

[Rvduck]

I was in some pretty cold weather with my 08 Duramax. It started great, remote start , or key. The only thing it did differently was as you start driving, the glow plugs cycle and the draw makes your headlights go dim. I was staying in a camp up in northern BC, Canada and I had a 10 mile drive to the worksite and most of the way to work I had the headlights dim for maybe 15 seconds or so, then go back bright. That truck had the dual alternator option so the glowplugs draw a lot of juice. I actually thought I had an electrical problem, then talked to a few guys that lived up there and they told me it was normal for a diesel to do that in real cold weather. The truck was around 3 years old at the time, I kept it for another 5 years, that truck was flawless for the 8 years I had it. Sure hope my new beast is as good.

Edited September 12, 2017 by Rvduck

[revrnd]

To the OP, living in MO, I don't think you'd have to change your driving habits. Now if it was northern MN, yes. My brother just sold his '05 Dmax & bought a '16 last fall (we're due north of Buffalo NY, but don't get near the snow) & he just puts a cold front on the grille. Not sure how often he plugs it in. I think the OEM batteries on the '05 had to be replaced a year or so ago.

 

Are the OEM Dmax block heaters thermostatically controlled like the gassers?

[CRApex]

​

 

It depends on the reid vapor pressure and the static gravity of the fuel you are using. See, the volatility varies with temperature and cetane, and this can cause a gelatinous mass to form under very specific barometric and temperature conditions. Of course this is all altitude-dependent and partly a function of the filtration scheme used by the refinery. As long as the pressure density of your fuel stays below the Kelvin coefficient under the specific conditions you are trying to start your vehicle, you should be fine.

 

Just kidding, I haven't got a freaking clue.

LOL...I needed that!

[redwngr]

The dmaxes start amazing well, unassisted, even at zero F (and below).

 

Yes they wait for the glow plugs.

 

The elevated idle may wait for a minute or 2 before ramping up the idle if it is close to zero, but not so long if just below freezing.

 

Elevated idle uses turbo vane positioning and torque converter drag to warm both the engine AND the transmission.

[TRKLGND]

When I had my LML I ran 5w40 in the winter and also used Stanadyne Winter 1000. I also plugged in. Not because I had to but because it's sooo nice to have heat in the cab immediately.

[J Micheals]

After reading all these does anyone have a recommended warm up time?

I have a new 2019 Chev LZT 3500 6.6 Duramax first time owner of this engine.

[Cowpie]

I have been using diesels since the '60's and there is never an instance when the temps fall below 20F that plugging in is not a good idea.  I even use oil pan warmers along with block heaters on my diesels, and even  my gassers when I lived in Alaska.   A diesel is compression ignition and a warm engine starts far easier and has fewer issues in cold weather.  You can get a timer that will turn on the power to the block heater at whatever time before you are going to start it up in the morning so that it is already ahead of the game and doesn't use anymore electricity than needed.

 

Also, the emission stuff on a modern diesel relays on full operating temp to work efficiently.  The sooner the engine gets to operating temp the better.    Warm oil will flow much quicker and get into all the tight spots a lot quicker, that is why I am fond of oil pan warmers.

 

As far as warm up time, a couple minutes max is all that is needed to idle to get oil circulated well. After that, driving moderately will warm up the engine much quicker than idling will.  

Edited November 9, 2019 by Cowpie

[Diver6]

I'm totally new to the Duramax world and diesels for that matter. Do you really need these fuel conditioners for cold temps or are they just snake oil? I live in Canada and it get to -30C some times. I think I will plug in once GM finds a fix for their block heaters.

[Cowpie]

Canadian fuel outlets are much better about having diesel treated for the cold weather compared to stations below the upper tier of the U.S.   I lived in the interior of  Alaska for 10 years and never added anything to diesel either.  The fuel was blended and treated right for temps down to -50F.   

 

Now I have to admit, the fuel conditioner folks really have a market made ideal for them to hock their products.  Only  a few brands actually do any good.  But the retailers really set the stage for this mess.  They  can't seem to watch weather predictions and will wait till the temps actually drop before they start ordering the proper fuel from the terminals.   All in an effort to tweak more profit while at the same time rising the prices to match others who are stocking the higher priced blended and treated fuel.   Problem is, they still have several thousand gallons of diesel that is not blended for the cold temps still in their tanks.  So it takes several tanker loads before all the fuel meets the temperature requirements.  So the consumer is left with their butt blowing in the wind and trying  to mitigate potential problems with additives, extra fuel filters, etc.    I deal with this sort of nonsense every year.

 

But even the retailers get slammed once in a while.  I have seen truck stop pumps totally shut down in extreme cold because they did not get the proper fuel in  the  tanks before the cold weather hit and now all their pumps are gelled and froze up.  I have no sympathy for them.

Edited November 12, 2019 by Cowpie

[Stealtown]

I have a 2015 3500 duramax Denali 4x4 , Went it’s gets to a freezing temperature my check engine light comes on and prohibits my remote start from working. I took to the dealer and although the engine light was on they did not get an error code. When the temperature warms up the issue is gone, this is the second time in a row now I experienced this dilemma , always when the temp drops to the freezing area.

[Colossus]

so the CEL comes on but does not set a code... that is very weird.  Makes it almost impossible to diagnose.. but.. maybe some suggestions will come from others.  Also post over on duramaxforum.com as well, lots more diesel owners over there. 

 

How many miles?   Is the truck stock?  Had any DEF/DPF issues?  Replaced any glow plugs?  How cold does it have to get before the light comes on?  You did say freezing but many temps qualify for freezing