Ok, I promise up front--I'm not a Mechanic and don't play one on the Internet--
I am a Certified Master Southern Shade-Tree Mechanic Association Member--

Just looking for some clarification on these questions:

Do all class-8 trucks have charge air coolers?
If not, which one's don't?

Winter fronts----ok, been told Century & Columbia can't use winter front----

because it blocks charge air cooler( thanks-----someone for answering that question)

but, I think I remember the T-800 KW & PETE 379 had a charge air cooler- and it was OK to run a winter front on them.

So, why is it OK for some, but not for ALL?

Because, frankly I'm setting in Avoca, Ia---the outside temp is 11degrees
and I'm freezing my rear off! I know the opti-idle thermometer is wrong---it's reading 80degrees in here----and it's NOT! Water temp is only
about 100degrees---I'm about ready to get out the Cardboard and do some charge air cooler blocking!

 

You got a problem, that truck should be running warmer than that.

A winter front is only needed when it's really cold, and running M/T.

At 11 degrees, a block heater will keep your coolant @ 100 degrees.

Thermostat is probably open.

Even if your fan was running, it would run hotter than 100.

 

Can you explain that Colt. That would be a wonder of science if you could output hotter than 100 degrees when the water temp is 100 degrees!!! I'm no diesel mechanic but that goes against the laws of science.

 

Whats your question ???

 

How can the heater put out hotter than 100 degrees when the fan is running if the water temp is only 100 degrees?

 

I have a Detroit 60 and if it's that cold out my heater won't put out hot air unless I idle then engine up to about 700 RPM's

 

I think you meant if the ENGINE fan was running? I was thinking the heater fan and the water temp was 100. Sorry.

 

I didn't say that, a properly working thermostat should keep the coolant hotter than 100 degrees even if his engine fan was running. (A common problem)

P.S. An engine should never be idled less than 1000 rpm

It doesn't burn any significant amount of extra fuel.....

In the long run, it will save you money....

 

Sounds to me like the thermostat is stuck open.

Aside from the lack of cab heat, this should be fixed ASAP because running an engine that cool will lead to formation of condensation and sludge in the oil causing short engine life.

Also check to see if the engine fan is stuck "on" for some reason.

 

If I were---running--not setting here idling during break--It would be warmer--- if the truckstop had a plug in for a block heater--and that would make it warmer in here I'd do it.

Oh, I did mis-read the gauge in the dark, from the sleeper---it was reading

aprox-140degrees after idling -off/one for couple hours.

the water temp runs about 180 down the pavement.