Block heater ????
#31
#32
#33
While I have no experience with the block heater on the 6.7 since Ford screwed me out of the $75 I gave them to have one, I do have a few observations. My 6.7 started every time last winter at 0F-10F without the least bit of hesitation. Our lows here in MD rarely get below 0F and are usually closer to 20F. The only thing that really seemed to make any different noise was the fuel pump (DFCM) and the block heater isn't going to help that.
With my 6.0, after 3-4 hours of being plugged in, the coolant temp would be around 100F when I started the truck. The block heater basically afforded me instant heat in the cab. While the block heater isn't going to heat the oil in the pan, it will put a fair amount of heat into the big chunk of iron that is the engine block as well as the heads and to some degree, the pistons. If this wasn't true, it would be pointless to have a block heater and they wouldn't assist like they do for really cold starts. It isn't much of an issue with common rail injection, but makes a huge difference on the old indirect mechanically injected engines that can't adjust injection timing, pressure and volume like a CR can. Some of our old farm tractors from the 60s and 70s won't start below 40F without the block heater. We don't use the heater to pre-heat the oil, we use it make sure the darn thing starts when we need it! The block heater seems to be not much more than a luxury on the 6.7 unless you are facing lower than -20F temps.
With my 6.0, after 3-4 hours of being plugged in, the coolant temp would be around 100F when I started the truck. The block heater basically afforded me instant heat in the cab. While the block heater isn't going to heat the oil in the pan, it will put a fair amount of heat into the big chunk of iron that is the engine block as well as the heads and to some degree, the pistons. If this wasn't true, it would be pointless to have a block heater and they wouldn't assist like they do for really cold starts. It isn't much of an issue with common rail injection, but makes a huge difference on the old indirect mechanically injected engines that can't adjust injection timing, pressure and volume like a CR can. Some of our old farm tractors from the 60s and 70s won't start below 40F without the block heater. We don't use the heater to pre-heat the oil, we use it make sure the darn thing starts when we need it! The block heater seems to be not much more than a luxury on the 6.7 unless you are facing lower than -20F temps.
#34
Just as an FYI, the heater element just warms the coolant in the block and I believe I've read somewhere in the forums that it really does not do a very good job of warming the oil in the block.
So, if you specifically want warm oil for your cold starts, you're not going to get it. I think the info may have been studied and posted by Tom, the moderator.
The coolant will be warm and you will get cab heat faster, but the engine oil is believed to be about the same temp whether it's plugged in or not.
My memory is not all that clear on this but I think it's worth a little more research if you want to know the real deal on it.
So, if you specifically want warm oil for your cold starts, you're not going to get it. I think the info may have been studied and posted by Tom, the moderator.
The coolant will be warm and you will get cab heat faster, but the engine oil is believed to be about the same temp whether it's plugged in or not.
My memory is not all that clear on this but I think it's worth a little more research if you want to know the real deal on it.
#35
Just as an FYI, the heater element just warms the coolant in the block and I believe I've read somewhere in the forums that it really does not do a very good job of warming the oil in the block.
So, if you specifically want warm oil for your cold starts, you're not going to get it. I think the info may have been studied and posted by Tom, the moderator.
The coolant will be warm and you will get cab heat faster, but the engine oil is believed to be about the same temp whether it's plugged in or not.
My memory is not all that clear on this but I think it's worth a little more research if you want to know the real deal on it.
So, if you specifically want warm oil for your cold starts, you're not going to get it. I think the info may have been studied and posted by Tom, the moderator.
The coolant will be warm and you will get cab heat faster, but the engine oil is believed to be about the same temp whether it's plugged in or not.
My memory is not all that clear on this but I think it's worth a little more research if you want to know the real deal on it.
#36
Luckily I don't live in Fairbanks, but if I did I would get a Battery Blanket x 2, and OIL PAN Heater, and continue to use the factory block heater. In addition, a winter front and potentially fuel line and filter supplemental heaters isn't a bad idea either. Of course it just depends on how "Arctic" you are going... -50F and driving 45 - 50 MPH and you can freeze your fuel lines and the block. You now it is bad when the grocery store has block heater plugs in the parking lot, because the 30-60 minutes you will spend shopping can cause the truck to be too cold to start.
Even for my winters in Anchorage realistically a block heater is all I am supposed to need. Unless I want to drive to Fairbanks or parts north in the winter.
BTW - better get a 10AMP timer, even though my block heater pulls 880 watts on the kill-a-watt meter, it is rated for 1000W which is closer to 10AMP. Better safe than sorry. And not sure if it is cold out is the heater pulls more juice.
Even for my winters in Anchorage realistically a block heater is all I am supposed to need. Unless I want to drive to Fairbanks or parts north in the winter.
BTW - better get a 10AMP timer, even though my block heater pulls 880 watts on the kill-a-watt meter, it is rated for 1000W which is closer to 10AMP. Better safe than sorry. And not sure if it is cold out is the heater pulls more juice.
#37
#38
15amps sounds a lot better than 7.5amps...
Looks about right. Found this on Amazon has this one...
Not saying that is the best one or the one I might end up with - but a quick search turned it up. There was another one for $28.88 that looked more rugged.
On edit: Probably not the best since it has a light sensor on it too.... I don't see that as a major issue... I usually like to keep it simple and a light sensor is just another part to fail.
Looks about right. Found this on Amazon has this one...
Amazon.com: Yard Master 13547 6-Outlet Power Stake with Light Sensor and 6-Foot Cord: Home Improvement
Not saying that is the best one or the one I might end up with - but a quick search turned it up. There was another one for $28.88 that looked more rugged.
On edit: Probably not the best since it has a light sensor on it too.... I don't see that as a major issue... I usually like to keep it simple and a light sensor is just another part to fail.
#40
#41
As I said even with the -10 temps during the polar vortex last year here in virginia truck had zero issues starting. Heating the cab faster is my real concern, not so much for myself, but I have a 3 yr old and 1 yr old. I would like to have the cab comfortable for them. I don't have the supplemental heartier option so, the 100 bucks to keep the kids and wife happy works for me. I didn't think about getting that timer that's a good idea I'll add that to the purchase.
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02GrayPowerStroke
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01-28-2010 10:47 PM