OT, Duramax diesel winter grill cover

4010 puller

Well-known Member
Hey Guys, with the cold winter we've been having, who makes the snap in grill covers or the truck bra that goes over the grill to make the truck run warmer? 03 Chevy duramax, 2500 hd
 
my grill cover came with the truck when I bought it new in 2005 it was under the back seat. Not sure if there's an after market or not you may want to check JC Whitney.
 
I have a 2005 but never thought to check under the seat for a cover. I have not even found an engine heater or cord on it. It has been -20f a few mornings. I just turn the key on for the glow plugs, when it times out, key off, repeat two more times, and starts right up. As for heat, the temperature gets up in the 180 range pretty easy but will not go over that.
 
That plug is hidden under there on the passengers side in front of the battery. I got a cord about 6 feet long and attached it so that I didn't have to pop the hood to plug it in. Why they needed a foot long cord I will never know.
 
Im sure you can find an OEM one on ebay or craigslist for cheap if you keep your eyes open. Not sure if you travel far or just simply having issues warming up, but the block heater certainly works really well "instant" heat. When temps get below ~20ish I plug in my 2013 to make it easier on it. And as mentioned earlier, cord is wrapped up on passenger side. ALL Duramax equipped trucks have them.

On my 04 I had(LB7 just like your 03), I also added the high idle feature. Just a simple pin into the ECM and put power to it. You then just use your cruise control to turn it on and off(and increase or decrease idle). Just another option to help with warm up!
 
A friend has one on his '14. Aftermarket brand sold at the Chevy dealership, if he stops by, I will look and post the brand name.

Just remember it also will restrict airflow through the aftercooler, as well, and, if pulled hard will possibly confuse the 'puter and set a trouble code.

('Puter will see a CCOLD air temp ahead of the turbo that doesn't coincide with the warmer than normal air temp after the aftercooler.)

My friend was told by the dealership when he took it in with the light on, that was an issue on his previous D-max a few years older, NOT sure if he has had it happen with this one.
 
A good old cardboard box works good although not as cool but you can't see it anyway I put it between the intercooler and radiator I use two pieces that way I can slide one to let more air in or less air in when it's colder
 

Some of those block heater cords have a built in thermostat and won't even power the heater until it's below 0F. Just cut the star off and install an ordinary HD plug.
 
(quoted from post at 00:40:50 03/03/15) A good old cardboard box works good although not as cool but you can't see it anyway I put it between the intercooler and radiator I use two pieces that way I can slide one to let more air in or less air in when it's colder

Sooner or later the fan blades will break off and ruin the radiator if you keep doing that.
 

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