I am new to the diesel/Duramax world - my only other experience with a diesel vehicle was a 1980 VW Dasher that went I got rid of about 18 years ago. I just purchased a 2008 GMC 2500HD SLT extended cab with the short bed. I had been looking at the Duramax trucks for about 2 years and decided to take the plunge while the incentives and rebates were so good; the MSRP for this truck was $50,710 and the marked-down price was $36,191. It was also one of only a few of these trucks left in the Seattle area; we went to 4 Chevrolet/GMC dealerships and only found 2 of them.

Anyway, I have been studying the manual and the other documentation provided with the truck in order to learn everything I can about it. I know that this is a minor thing and I would probably never use it, but I would like to know if a coolant heater is installed on all Duramax trucks or if it is optional equipment. The owner's manual says that there should be a plug near the battery on the passenger side of the engine compartment, but I can't find one. When I go through the "build your truck" on the GMC website and select the Duramax engine, the coolant heater is checked as a required option but there's not one listed on the window sticker. Do they not all come equipped with one? Thanks.

They all have them - some of the cords are just harder to find. As to if you need it - depends on temperature. IIRC, most feel that it's not needed until you get down into the teens or lower. You will not get any 'wait to start' message until you hit those low temps either.

Since I live in the South, and my truck lives in a garage, I doubt that I'll ever use mine.

Where is the heater and where should I look for the cord?

Its there where you looked, its probably wrapped in tape and tucked up under, it took me a few minutes to find mine...there is a thread on this...you are not alone

You need to look on the passenger side of the engine and down in there is a black cord tied to a black wiring harness or something I forget. It has a plastic cap over the prongs of the plug. It is there just got to crawl down into the depths of that space.

Brian

I would be more concerned about running a good additive like Stanadyne. PM me for a great source at the best price I have found on-line/
http://www.stanadyne.com/docs/puba/Perform%20Brochure.pdf

Being in the Seattle area too, and even with regular travel to Pullman and Idaho I do not ever plan to use the heater or a winter cover. The manual says the Beast is good to zero degrees. I never gets that cold in the rainy Emerald City. Last trip over was 9 degrees on the pass and in the 20's in Pullman no problemo. I do leave her running at rest/fuel stops. Heading over this Saturday round trip same day. ;)

But see post #3 of this thread for a link to pics of what you seek grasshopper.........

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=285814

see post #3 of this thread for a link to pics of what you seek grasshopper.........

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=285814

Thanks. This is exactly what I was looking for.