Diesel Warmup - How Much Time ?

[pwall]

I'm new to the diesel world, so please excuse a newbie question.

 

During the winter, obviousily I have to wait for the glowplug light on the dash to go out before starting.

However, in the summer, no wait required (not yet anyways....). Once the motor starts, is there a 'minimum' length of time I should wait before driving off?

In my YukonXL, I used to wait about a minute due to the piston-slap of the 5.3l.

With the duramax, should I give it a couple of minutes??

 

I could RTM, however, value the opinion of this board over the manual. ;)

[BigJayDogg3]

Do you want my opinion, or would you rather cold hard fact?

[pwall]

Hmm....which one would be more entertaining? ;)

 

I generally let it run for about a minute or so everytime...but more curious if this is perhaps not enough.

[BigJayDogg3]

OK. For me, I normally run all my engines for a few minutes before I take off. It may be useless, but I feel it can't hurt anything, and letting the oil circulate some before I take off is a good thing in my mind.

 

Like I said, this isn't based off of fact, just something that my dad did, so I did. He's done it for several years, so if he's done it with no ill effects, I doubt it will hurt something other than my fuel bill.

 

As for the diesel, I would think letting it run for a while before taking off would be in the same boat. Several people just crank and go, so I don't see that being a problem, but I do think that letting fluids circulate and whatnot couldn't be a bad thing.

 

Just my $.02.

[onac255]

well IMO you should let it warm up a bit or just drive like a really old man till it comes up to temp before you start getting on it.

[merlin5577]

If it is really cold out I would suggest you use your block heater to help with start up. With my trucks, I let them idle for a minute or two then drive gently for a few more minutes then drive like normal. IMO do not let the engine warm up by idling alone. As I'm sure your aware, when an engine is cold it goes into a "warm up mode" to get the engine up to temperature as quickly as possible. When it does this, it raises the idle speed by injecting extra fuel. This extra fuel can wash the oil off the cylinder walls as well as pool in the engine oil (ever notice the oil on the dipstick smells like fuel when the engine is idling cold) limiting the oils ability to lubricate. The engine can only burn off this extra fuel in the oil if it gets to a high enough operating temperature. All this can lead to extra wear and tear to your engine. On top of this, if you idle the engine to warm it up, when the engine gets to temperature, the rest of the drivetrain (most importantly the transmission) is still cold. Plus, when you are idling, you are getting 0 MPG's and at $5 a gallon, I wouldnt want to buy more then you need. Like others have said, a minute or two just to get the oil circulating is ok, after that, your just wasting fuel. If you need more information I would check out yours owners manual. Good luck with your beautiful new truck.

[Shaners]

This time of year, I probably idle for 30 seconds or so to make sure i have good oil pressure at the turbo. Then I drive off (conservatively).

 

In the winter if I'm using the block heater I still am less than 1 minute. If I'm not using the block heater and temps are near ZERO, then I let it idle for several minutes until the motor starts to quiet down.

 

I never let the RPM's get too high until I start seeing some temp in the engine.

[pwall]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

I've been letting the engine run for about 1 minute when firing up in the morning, so sounds like I'm doing the right thing.

 

Now come this winter when it's -30c, forget warming up the truck, I'm just staying inside! ;)

[slimjim2525]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

I've been letting the engine run for about 1 minute when firing up in the morning, so sounds like I'm doing the right thing.

 

Now come this winter when it's -30c, forget warming up the truck, I'm just staying inside! ;)

That truck is awesome, what are you gonna pull with it?

[chrisb1]

I am in Oregon. 08 2500HD Sierra Duramax. I kick the tire, light the fire and go. No warming up for normal driving. The oil pressure is immediate. The truck is always in a garage. Out outside climate is fairly mild with winters in the mid 20s to 30s. I bought the truck to drive it, I drive it per the manual, I do not go out of my way to old lady it.

[pwall]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

I've been letting the engine run for about 1 minute when firing up in the morning, so sounds like I'm doing the right thing.

 

Now come this winter when it's -30c, forget warming up the truck, I'm just staying inside! ;)

That truck is awesome, what are you gonna pull with it?

 

Just a small utility trailer. just kidding.

I currently have a 27ft trailer that comes in around 7000lbs wet. My hope is to upgrade to a fifth wheel next summer.

Wasn't planning on getting the truck this year, but couldn't pass up on the great deal.

[BlackSilver]

If I'm showing oil pressure, I'm good to go.

 

In the winter (I live in Minnesota) I give it a few seconds (less than 30) to quit rattling so much, then I'm off. I'm in my third DuraMax, and around 300,000 miles on the bunch.

 

You'll find that diesels never warm up just sitting idling..... they need some "work" to heat up.