OK, I'm FREEZING!!! Truck won't stay warm!!

[spencerian]

I'm in norther PA right now and it's COLD!!!

With the truck idling it's probably 45-50 degrees in the cab.
The radiator temp is about 120 degrees.

This is a 2004 Columbia. WHat can I do to stay warm?

[solo379]

Try to bump an RPM to 10-1100.
If it's ain't working, call your boss, and make him fix it! :wink:

[mikey4069]

put some card board over the grill in front of the radiator .

[Kranky]

I'm in norther PA right now and it's COLD!!!

With the truck idling it's probably 45-50 degrees in the cab.
The radiator temp is about 120 degrees.

This is a 2004 Columbia. WHat can I do to stay warm?

Insist that the shop put a new thermostat in it ASAP.

For now the cardboard on the grille may help.

Also check to see that you didn't inadvertently activate the "fan override" switch on the dashboard. If the engine cooling fan is engaged in cold weather, the engine will have a hard time maintaining temp.

For good heat you need at least 170 to 180 degrees water temp.

[yoopr]

your thermostate or your Faucet is turned off

[millersod215]

i had the same problem on my mack last year, and like the previous poster wrote, my heat was turned off. I'm not real technical, so i'm not sure of the correct terminology here, but under the hood there is a valve that turns your heat on and off, that very well could be your problem. I'm not going to say much more, like i said i'm not a mechanic, so i'll stop before i say something stupid

[spencerian]

i had the same problem on my mack last year, and like the previous poster wrote, my heat was turned off. I'm not real technical, so i'm not sure of the correct terminology here, but under the hood there is a valve that turns your heat on and off, that very well could be your problem. I'm not going to say much more, like i said i'm not a mechanic, so i'll stop before i say something stupid

You did OK!!

I found out that I can bump the idle up by hitting the RSM/ACC lever on the cruise control. 1K rpms gets it working!!

[crankyazz]

so are you getting warm now? yeah being frozen out kinda sucks

[Kranky]

i had the same problem on my mack last year, and like the previous poster wrote, my heat was turned off. I'm not real technical, so i'm not sure of the correct terminology here, but under the hood there is a valve that turns your heat on and off, that very well could be your problem. I'm not going to say much more, like i said i'm not a mechanic, so i'll stop before i say something stupid

He said

The radiator temp is about 120 degrees.

Certainly not enough for any heat.

[spencerian]

so are you getting warm now? yeah being frozen out kinda sucks

Cozy...

[One]

I'm in norther PA right now and it's COLD!!!

With the truck idling it's probably 45-50 degrees in the cab.
The radiator temp is about 120 degrees.

This is a 2004 Columbia. WHat can I do to stay warm?

Insist that the shop put a new thermostat in it ASAP.

For now the cardboard on the grille may help.

Also check to see that you didn't inadvertently activate the "fan override" switch on the dashboard. If the engine cooling fan is engaged in cold weather, the engine will have a hard time maintaining temp.

For good heat you need at least 170 to 180 degrees water temp.

I agree, you either have a radiator cooling fan thats staying on beyond the little bit of rotation that it always does, or you have a bad thermostat. Eitherway, bring it to the shop!

[GMAN]

You may want to check your antifreeze. If it is low, it will be difficult for the truck to stay warm. Bumping the rpm's up will help keep the engine warmer. I had a fan clutch go out one time during a very cold winter. I nearly froze until I could get it fixed. It stayed on all the time. Brrrr! :?

[Flatspot]

It didn't take me long to learn a few things my first winter of driving.
1) Use the cruise control to bump up the idle to about 1000 rpm for heat. These diesels don't warm very well at low rpms.
2) If at all possible, when you park to get some rest, park with your tail to the wind.
3) Open the hood, and check the water lines to the heater core. They have a shutoff valve on the service and return lines, located near the engine block. Make sure those valves are open. The company shop mechs sometimes overlook that.

[homer]

mikey and splitter are right about the cardboard. i did that when i spent the night in calgary at 24 below.its not good for your oil to be to cold.
in the summer people willl close the valves on the heater hoses.in macks its only way to turn off the heat
maybe a lot lizzard would warm you up

[One]

It didn't take me long to learn a few things my first winter of driving.
1) Use the cruise control to bump up the idle to about 1000 rpm for heat. These diesels don't warm very well at low rpms.
2) If at all possible, when you park to get some rest, park with your tail to the wind.
3) Open the hood, and check the water lines to the heater core. They have a shutoff valve on the service and return lines, located near the engine block. Make sure those valves are open. The company shop mechs sometimes overlook that.

Don't park with your rear to the wind, your exhaust will be able to blow over your hood and into the cabin air intake.