For owners of the 6.7 Cummins engine, the grid heater is a crucial technology that helps the engine start more smoothly in cold weather. However, over time, the grid heater may fail and become a potential hazard to the engine system. This is especially true in colder regions, where prolonged use of the grid heater can lead to difficult starts or other system failures.
As more and more owners choose to delete the grid heater to enhance engine performance, reduce the risk of failure, and simplify maintenance, many are beginning to dive deeper into the pros and cons of deleting the grid heater. This article will thoroughly explore the advantages and disadvantages of deleting the 6.7 Cummins grid heater and share the steps for deletion.
2. What is the 6.7 Cummins Grid Heater?
The grid heater in the 6.7 Cummins engine is a component designed to help the engine start smoothly in cold weather. It works by heating the intake air, ensuring that the diesel engine reaches the proper combustion temperature quickly in low-temperature environments.
This is particularly important for diesel engines, as they are generally harder to start in cold weather compared to gasoline engines. The grid heater uses electrical current to heat the heating element, quickly warming up and providing hot air, making cold starts much smoother.
Its role is crucial in extreme winter conditions, ensuring that the engine runs reliably. However, despite its vital function, the grid heater also has some drawbacks, particularly after prolonged use, when its performance may decline or it may fail.
3. Why Consider a Grid Heater Delete?
While the grid heater helps the engine start smoothly in cold weather, over time, it can encounter several issues that may lead owners to consider removing it. First, the grid heater is prone to failure after prolonged use, especially with frequent activation. For example, some owners have reported that the heating element can get damaged due to high temperatures or electrical faults, and there may even be issues like bolts loosening or metal fragments falling into the cylinders, which could cause severe engine damage.
Additionally, the effectiveness of the grid heater is limited, particularly in warmer climates. Many owners find that their engines can start just fine even without using the grid heater, especially when temperatures are above -10°C.
Furthermore, the grid heater itself creates some resistance to airflow, which may affect the overall engine performance. After deleting the grid heater, the intake airflow becomes smoother, and the engine's response may become more responsive, particularly at higher RPMs and speeds. As a result, many owners choose to delete the grid heater not only to avoid potential failure risks but also to enhance engine performance by improving airflow.
4. Grid Heater Delete Pros
Deleting the 6.7 Cummins grid heater can bring a range of significant benefits. First, performance improvement is one of the most appreciated advantages. After removing the grid heater, the intake system's airflow becomes smoother, reducing air resistance, which helps improve engine intake efficiency. Many owners report that after deleting the grid heater, the engine response becomes more responsive, especially during acceleration and at high speeds, providing a smoother performance. Additionally, the improvement in airflow may also have a positive effect on fuel efficiency, although this change may be subtle.
Secondly, deleting the grid heater effectively reduces the risk of failure. Since the grid heater is an electrical component, its chances of failure increase over time. Common issues include heating element damage, poor electrical contact, and loosening of the heating element's bolts, all of which can lead to severe engine problems. By deleting the grid heater, these potential issues are completely avoided, reducing the risks associated with long-term use.
Simplified maintenance is another important advantage of deleting the grid heater. The grid heater requires regular checks of its wiring, cables, and bolts to ensure they are not loose or damaged. After removing the grid heater, these maintenance tasks can be greatly simplified, and owners no longer need to frequently monitor this component, which lowers the complexity and cost of daily maintenance.
5. Grid Heater Delete Cons
While deleting the grid heater offers many advantages, this modification is not without its drawbacks. First, cold weather starting difficulties is a concern that many owners need to pay close attention to when considering a grid heater delete. For owners living in colder climates, the grid heater plays a crucial role in low temperatures, especially when temperatures drop below -10°C. The grid heater helps to heat the intake air, ensuring that the engine starts smoothly. Without the grid heater, owners may experience difficulty starting their engine, particularly if no external heating device (such as an engine block heater) is available.
Additionally, deleting the grid heater may trigger Check Engine Light (CEL) issues. Since the ECU (Engine Control Unit) relies on the grid heater for cold start adjustments, removing this component can trigger fault codes. For example, the common P2609 fault code indicates that the intake heater was not detected by the system. Owners may need to perform ECU reprogramming or use adapters to avoid this fault code. While some owners opt to simply disconnect the power to avoid this issue, careful electronic adjustments are still needed to ensure that the engine operates properly.
Lastly, certain regional emission regulations may require the grid heater, and removing this component could cause the vehicle to fail to meet local emission standards, particularly in areas with strict emissions control. Before deleting the grid heater, owners should ensure they are aware of local emission regulations and policies to avoid compliance issues resulting from the modification.
6. How to Delete the 6.7 Cummins Grid Heater?
Deleting the 6.7 Cummins grid heater is not as simple as just removing a part; it requires some technical steps and the right tools. There are several common methods for deletion, some of which require more complex installation, while others are relatively simple.
6.1 Disconnecting the Power or Using a Delete Kit
- The simplest method is to disconnect the power to the grid heater to stop it from functioning. This method is relatively easy, but it may trigger a fault code, causing the Check Engine Light to turn on. Therefore, post-installation electronic adjustments may be needed to avoid these issues.
6.2 SPELAB's 6.7 Cummins Grid Heater Delete Kit
- SPELAB 6.7 Cummins grid heater delete kit built for performance optimization and reliability. SPELAB’s kit features a high-flow intake design that effectively reduces airflow resistance, improving engine air flow and responsiveness. Additionally, the SPELAB delete kit does not require complex ECU programming, and can provide enhanced performance while avoiding the potential failures that come with the grid heater. This solution is ideal for owners looking to enhance engine performance and simplify maintenance.
6.3 Banks Solution
- Banks offers a high-flow intake and grid heater delete solution, aiming to optimize airflow and reduce the risks associated with the grid heater. The benefit of this solution is that it maintains engine performance while avoiding the common problems of the grid heater. However, the Banks kit is relatively expensive and may require more installation time and skills, making it more suitable for owners willing to invest additional money to improve engine performance.
6.4 Glacier Diesel Performance (GDP) Solution
- For those living in cold climates and concerned about potential starting issues after deleting the grid heater, GDP offers a high-flow grid heater delete kit. GDP provides a more efficient heating element, especially suitable for owners in extremely cold climates. It not only delivers stronger heating capabilities but also ensures the vehicle can start reliably in severe weather conditions.
For owners looking to delete the grid heater and achieve better performance, choosing the right solution is crucial. Depending on personal usage conditions and needs, owners can select from different deletion methods.
Conclusion
We would love to hear about your personal experience! Have you already deleted the 6.7 Cummins grid heater? If so, how has your vehicle’s starting performance been? Have you encountered any fault codes or cold start issues? Has there been a noticeable change in performance after the delete? Sharing your experience will help other owners make more informed decisions.
If you haven’t deleted the grid heater yet, do you plan to make this modification? Are you interested in trying the SPELAB 6.7 Cummins Grid Heater Delete Kit? We welcome your questions and feedback.
