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urmyboyblue · 01-07-2018, 11:46 AM

Due to the thermal mass of the engine block and coolant, it will take a while for the coolant to cool down to ambient temps. It is possible that the coolant will still be slightly warmer than the ambient temps (not more than 5 degrees after 8 hours), so it is possible that it will transfer heat to the air in the heater as soon as you crank it up. However, the temp difference will be so small that it will be offset by the motion of the air over your skin which will make the temp seem cooler. The temp difference between the coolant and the air will be dependent on how fast the air cools overnight.

As has been noted, when you crank your truck and the coolant is warming up to the temp that opens your thermostat, the coolant is being circulated between your water pump and engine thru the heater core- so it should warm the interior as fast as possible. Note that the thermal mass of the interior also has to be overcome, so it takes a while for everything to warm up.

01-07-2018, 11:46 AM	#11
urmyboyblue Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Montevallo, AL Posts: 272	Re: Heat immediately? Due to the thermal mass of the engine block and coolant, it will take a while for the coolant to cool down to ambient temps. It is possible that the coolant will still be slightly warmer than the ambient temps (not more than 5 degrees after 8 hours), so it is possible that it will transfer heat to the air in the heater as soon as you crank it up. However, the temp difference will be so small that it will be offset by the motion of the air over your skin which will make the temp seem cooler. The temp difference between the coolant and the air will be dependent on how fast the air cools overnight. As has been noted, when you crank your truck and the coolant is warming up to the temp that opens your thermostat, the coolant is being circulated between your water pump and engine thru the heater core- so it should warm the interior as fast as possible. Note that the thermal mass of the interior also has to be overcome, so it takes a while for everything to warm up.