I am looking for advice about the temperature of my engine, 6.6L Duramax/Allison, ¾ ton.

I have been noticing that the temperature seems to run a little low, around 160 degrees or so when just driving around town. This past week end I took a 350 mile trip (outside temperature in the 40’s and 50’s) and noted that the temperature did not come up to around 200 until I got out on the interstate and was running around 70 mph. Also, the transmission temperature runs at around 100 degrees instead of the 160+ that the manual says that it should run at.

My question is: Do I have some bad thermostats or do you just have to run a Duramax to get it to heat up?

Thanks

At 40-50 degrees the engine will be cold (i.e. 180ish) and the tranny will run cold if you are not shifting excessively. I would expect to see a rise in tranny temp after a bit on the road, but you will probably not see 160 unless either pulling hard or shifting in stop/go traffic in those outside temps. The engine should warm to the 200 mark at least once before the tstat opens, then drop to a steady state temp less than that.


I am assuming that the cold front is not installed. The above is my observations before winter set in here.


MN

Just took a 1200 mile trip with my new D-Max and had the same readings as you did ag4gt. Trans temp never gat above about 130. Engine temp ran about 180.

ag4gt,


When your temps only reach 160 driving around town, how long have you been driving? If less than 15-20 minutes, 160 is about right. (it's also not good for the engine to take frequent short trips where the engine doesn't get up to operating temp - IMHO).


Without the cold front my engine temp will usually warm up to 185 (1/4 of full scale) after 20-30 minutes of driving when ambient temps are in the 40's and tranny will not move much over the 100 mark (on the highway). I find that using the cold front when temps are in the 30's and lower makes a big difference in operating temps. I also leave the cover on when temps are in the 40's and 50's without any problems. Engine temps with the cover run between 190 and 200 and the tranny hits 150.


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif Edited by: jbplock

210 summer towing 180 winter no tow. (engine)Edited by: Bronco

sounds normal. t-stats are ok , trans temp ok

I leave my winter cover on into the 60's. Ive pulled many a hill, and havent had a problem. No double fan, or high gauge. It still will lose heat when at a stop light for a min or two.


It also gives me in cab heat much faster...

Does it cause any problems to have the trans run cool? I know it's bad to have the engine run cool, but it seems as though it wouldn't bother the trans, due to having the thin ATF.

I recently drove through a little to much snow. I had to back out . The underside of my truck was packed with snow and ice. It was also only 5-10F outside. The tranny gauge was pegged! On the low side that is. Took 3 days to fully melt out. No noticealble problems.

Well, it sounds like everything is about normal with my Duramax, actually my wife’s. I have the ’84. she let me drive it sometimes.

On my trip I had over 100 miles until I got to the interstate so it was well warmed up.

Thanks for all the posts and the good info.

ag4gt,


I purchased a Lund Stainless steel winter front for my 2002 which allows the engine to get up to operating temperature fairly quickly. I will run it from now until spring when the weather gets consistently warm. It doesn't cause any problems leaving it on all the time even if you run into a few warm days like today. The temp in good old swampeast Missouri got up to 70 degrees today! It may be different with a heavy load but I can take it off in less than 5 minutes. I believe I paid about $75 for it and it looks really sharp on the truck.


Darrell

Darrel,
I just purchased a 2004 3/4 dmax extened cab full size and was looking for the winter covers you mentioned above. i could not find them at lund. Do you have a part number or brand name so i can look it up.
Bill

Bill


I have a Cloud Rider on my 03 Chevy (should be the same size as an 04). Bought it from www.MPcustoms.com (http://www.MPcustoms.com) (Max Power).


http://thumb9.webshots.com/s/thumb4/5/67/39/103356739mpWojf_th.jpg


See Cloud Rider for more info (http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2772&KW=cloud+)


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gifEdited by: jbplock

Bill
I went to their website but it is down right now. From your pics i like this unit. I will contact them later for this and other accesories they have. Thanks for your advice.
Bill

Hi-


Outside right now it's 45 degrees.


After it warmed up good. About 45-60 minutes of driving.


Transmission - 150


Engine 190-200

Bill
I went to their website but it is down right now...



Bill, you could also try sending a PM to Max Power (http://dieselplace.com/forum/pm_new_message_form.asp?name=Max+Power) for more info on purchasing a Cloud Rider...


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Darrel,
I just purchased a 2004 3/4 dmax extened cab full size and was looking for the winter covers you mentioned above. i could not find them at lund. Do you have a part number or brand name so i can look it up.
Bill


Bill,


Searched the Lund website but couldn't find anything for a 2003 or 2004 Chev 2500HD. I emailed their Tech support and will let you know the outcome.


Darrell

I agree about dropping a note to MaxPower. I just got a fantastic Cloud Rider stainless steel front cover for my GMC. Much nicer than the OEM cover.

Thanks Darrel and Bill,
I just PM'd Max Power and will wait to hear. I pick my truck up Monday. Ready for that and want this nice cover.
Bill

The temp in good old swampeast Missouri got up to 70 degrees today!





The temp is not even close to 70 today in the state of Missouri! We were liking the temps so far but guess it is winter.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif

ag4gt;





I cannot comment on tranny temp since mine is manny. . . but, my juice/attitude monitors the eng temp and I watch it constantly. The last few days ambient temps ben 10*F to -4*F. Unless I am running on the hiway above 50mph , the temps run in the low 130s to mid 120s. This is with just the grill cover, not the bump cover. On the hiway at 50+ it goes up to 180 - 185. Interesting note, the OEM eng temp gauge is not accurate until the engine runs at 180*+. . . prior to that the OEM gauge shows more heat than it really produces. . .





Anyone else notice this??

Gonna be in the 20's for lows and 40's for highs the next few days. Should I go ahead and put the cold front on?

Interesting note, the OEM eng temp gauge is not accurate until the engine runs at 180*+. . . prior to that the OEM gauge shows more heat than it really produces. . .


Anyone else notice this??


I noticed that too, according to the coolant temp on the Predator.