Thanks, I'll crawl around under it tonight and see what I can find.

 

There was a thread on this site last year that had the International part #. It was much cheaper there than the Ford dealer

 

After reading this thread I went out and checked my '07. It already has the pigtail installed. I found it behind the panel directly behind the tow hook on the passenger side. I bought the truck new so it came from the factory this way. Take a closer look before buying another pigtail.

 

Good deal!! Same thing on my 06 that I bought brand new 4 months ago!!

 

I live in Southeast Missouri. winter nights typically in the 20's and 30's. What is the suggested/magic temperature that would be good to plug it in? Thanks.

2005 6.0 PSD
Lariat, black
16,666 miles.

 

Does anyone know if the engine block heater, heats the tranny also?

--2004 F-350--

Thanks all

 

Nope, just the engine block to 65 or so. Sure some of this transfers to the tranny.

 

It will get warmer than 65*

Test I did last year.

Most will suggest a timer to save $$$$$.

1 hour later it was 80 degrees.

2 hours later was 94 degrees.

3 hours later it was 103 degrees.

4 hours later it was 110 degrees.

5 hours later it was 116 degrees.

Yes, 39 isn't that cold to start, but was interesting to see that it went from 39 to 80 in an hour.

Currently my oil temp in hour 3 is 77 degrees. It was 40 at starting point.

Oil temp after 4 hours is 91 degrees.

 

Please explain how you performed this test. Such as:

1) Where did you take the temperature readings?

2) What device did you use to take the readings?

3) Is the engine equipped with the OEM-supplied block heater or an aftermarket unit?


The outside temps and wind exposure have a major impact on how warm your engine will get with a block heater. In other words, if your truck is parked in -5*F temps facing a 20-mph head wind, the engine will not get nearly as warm as your 40*F tests indicated.

BarnieTrk

 

First, this isn't scientific.

Second, wind chill does cool off metal faster, just doesn't make it colder than actual temp. So, yes the wind can compete with the heater efficiency.

If I lived in an area where the temp gets down that low I would do the test again. I was just trying to show how well the block heater can heat up. Now, to what temp will it get to when you start at -5*? Don't know.

Temp readings were from the temp sensor on the truck.

I used the Scangauge II for the readings. Which when I first got I let the truck sit for a couple days and took a laser temp reader and compared to SGII readings, both were very close. Within a degree.

This is the OEM block heater equipped on all 6.0 motors. (note: not all 05-07's came with the cord, 03-04's did)

It would be nice to hear from owners in the colder climes to see what their temps are after plugging in all night at 0*.

 

Great thanks for the quick responses fellas!

 

Great post, very informative, always wondered how well the heater worked, now I know. As for the original poster, I have a timer on mine that I set for about 3 hours ahead of when I expect to leave. It's nothing fancy, it's rated for 15 amps. I don't plug it in everyday unless the temps are going to be in the 30's or below, it's not necessary but it just seems to start better and warm up faster. Could be my imagination too!