{"id":12423,"date":"2025-03-24T20:24:04","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T20:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.xtremediesel.com\/blog\/?p=12423"},"modified":"2025-05-14T19:52:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T19:52:40","slug":"banks-monster-ram-intake-heater-grid-upgrade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.xtremediesel.com\/blog\/2025\/03\/24\/banks-monster-ram-intake-heater-grid-upgrade\/","title":{"rendered":"Banks Monster-Ram Intake & Heater Grid Upgrade"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Intake Air Heater, also known as a heater grid, is an essential component in Dodge Ram 6.7L diesel engines to ensure efficient cold-weather starts. However, the factory heater assembly can become a serious liability. One of the biggest design flaws of the stock configuration is the fastener on the underside of the intake plate.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Over time, the nut and bolt can melt due to high amperage draw from the heater circuit. Vibration from the engine can then cause it to fall down into the intake plenum. Without anywhere else to go, this damaged fastener typically makes its way into cylinder #6. This can result in bent valves, damaged pistons, and even the need for a complete engine rebuild or replacement due to catastrophic engine failure.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is a Heater Grid?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unlike traditional glow plugs found in other diesel engines, the Dodge Ram 6.7L diesel, much like its predecessor the 5.9L, utilizes a heater mounted between the intake manifold (or elbow) and cylinder head. This system works by heating the incoming air before it reaches the cylinders, helping ensure optimal combustion in cold start conditions. However, the stock design restricts airflow, reducing throttle response and overall engine efficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Common Causes of Grid Heater Failure<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Failure is typically caused by three main factors: amperage draw, vibration, and time. The amperage draw caused by the heater circuit can melt the fasteners, causing them to loosen. Continuous engine vibrations further contribute to the nut falling into the intake. Additionally, as the vehicle ages, wear and tear can increase the likelihood of failure, making older models particularly susceptible to this dangerous issue. Fortunately, Banks, a leader in diesel engineering, has developed a solution to eliminate this risk, the Banks Monster Ram Intake & Heater Grid Upgrade. <\/p>\n\n\n

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The Consequences of Grid Heater Failure<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Numerous documented cases from Banks highlight the devastating effects of grid heater failure such as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n