Hi Folks,

I've had my '04 CDT RAM 4x4 for about a month now. I'm loving every minute.

Yesterday with the outside temps at 7 degrees F, running at 65mph for 20 minutes and the trucks temperature gauge was having trouble getting to 160 degrees.

It took almost 40 minutes before it got near 180 and we got some real heat.

Is this normal or might I have a problem?

Thanks Robo

 

I have an '02, but I'd say it's not right. In my case, running at 65 as I do everyday, I've yet to have an air temperature that prevents my coolant temperature from reaching 190 degrees. Friday, it was -7, and she hit 190 within 8 miles at 65.

 

It took me about 10 the other day pulling a 6000 lb trailer and the temp was only 25 or so.

 

Robo,
That sounds about right at 7 degrees. Try running the heat switch in one of the recirculate positions. These are the ones to the left of the twelve o'clock position. My 2001.5 did seem to heat up quicker than my 2003. I do not believe there is anything wrong with your heater. It is just the nature of the beast.

 

I had the same thing happen to me a few days ago with my 04, the outside temp was 0 F and I drove for nearly an hour before it got up to 190. The heater worked ok though. With the windchill, going 65mph, its no wonder it took so long to come up

 

it also takes mine a long time to heat up. Longer then my 99 did for some reason.

 

Mine's pretty good. In the mid-20s - frigid to these southerners here in TX - I get heat within 5 minutes or so. And that's just at 40 MPH. By the time I get to the highway, I'm turing the heat dial back down to regulate the temperature.

 

This seems to be a problem with the 3rd generation CTDs that I never had with my 2nd generation. Christmas day it was -16 below when we were on the way to church...the wife wasn't impressed and made the comment that my 2nd gen had heat alot quicker than the 3rd. All things are the same in that I ran a winter front on both vehicles but it must be that huge opening on the front that doens't allow the engine to heat up as quickly. I too was only able to get it up to 160 degrees on the 20 mile drive and had to use recirculate to get the cab tolerable.

Oh well, it's the price we pay for all that power!!

 

When it is cold outside, I can make it 15 miles to town and the engine will not be above 170. If I give it three minutes of run time prior to leaving it does not seem to matter. Once I get there, if I leave it running, it will cool down! This engine seems like the thermostat is stuck open!
Oh well, I'm still in love.

 

same thing when I test drove an '03. I made the comment that it doesn't heat up very fast. after driving for 15 mins it was only putting out lukewarm air. my ford will put out hot air after driving for 10 mins. I wonder if it's just that the radiator on the 3rd Gen engines is a lot bigger than most others on diesels? Possibly DC figured if somebody is gonna buy a hulking beast engine, they're gonna be hauling a lot and decided to try to keep the engine cooler w/ a bigger radiator. What do you all think?

 

It is not a problem, it is just a killer cooling system. It is the same reason that you can run gross weight at full throttle up the mountains when it is 100 degs out and not overheat.

The fix is really very simple, just plug your truck in when it gets below 20 degs or so, this also save alot of wear and tear on starting the motor cold.

Also I put a piece of cardboard that covers the entire radiator and cut about a 4"x4" hole out of the center of it, this helps a bunch also.

 

I was on the highway cruise was at 60mph, My heat works fine, I don't have a winter fornt. It was minus 30 C.

JT

 

Cardboard it free