Just bought a used 2002 250 with the 7.3 Diesel. Looking for the so called "block heater" Found a cord that is plugged into the oil filter base. It then goes to the front bumper. What's the story on this? Nothing in the book refers to this heater assembly. I though that I would find a heating element in one of the freeze plugs but no such thing. Is this "oil heater" take the place of the coolant heater?

 

The heater is referred to in the 7.3L DI Powerstroke supplement included with your truck manual.

 

That IS the coolant heater. It goes through the oil filter housing into the water jacket in the block.

 

Powerstroker250...then what you are saying is that we are heating both oil and coolant with this one heater, right??????

 

No, the heater is in the filter housing above the actual level of the oil.

 

The block heater will basically keep the oil and the coolant warm to aid in an easy start. Ford says plug it in at least 2 hours before driving if weather is 30 degrees or below, but leaving it plugged in all night will not void nor hurt anything.

________________________
Aaron 99 F250 CC PSD 215,000 miles
Houston
I'd rather be stroked, than rammed!!

 

I have an 02 F-250 PSD and am totally unaware that it came with an engine block heater stock. I have spent some time underneath and have not noticed one. Where is it?

 

PSDLOVER...read my original post...tells you where I found mine..trakman

 

Are you saying the oil filter housing acts a block heater?

 

The oil filter housing is a heat exchanger with two sides to it. One side coolant circulates through and the other is engine oil. The assembly is designed to help regulate oil temperature with coolant when the engine is running. The block heater is mounted in the coolant side of the assembly. Since the block heater is used when the engine is not running, the heat is absorbed into the engine through the coolant.

 

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...41737771wgGhll
Don't know if picture helps but the orange cable is the block heater. Follow the cable to the front of the truck. The plug is at the other end of it. If it's never been used it is still snapped in place. Hope this helps.

 

Don't leave it plugged in all the time. Get a heavy duty timer and set it about four hours before you start your truck. The elements will fail so there's no need to burn it out if your not going to use the truck. It's a mess to change out. Easy, but a mess.

 

Just found the plug for my engine block heater after reading all the post on how to find out if I had engine block heater.

Thanks,
Will

 

I have located the orange cord plugged into the oil filter base, but cannot locate anything behind or near the front bumper. Owners Manual indicates it should be near drivers side tow bar. Can't see it. Any suggestions?

 

The orange wire changes to black as it travels forward to the bumper along the engine block. The cord end could be hidden behind the bumper on the driver's side as well.