Engine Block Heater Trouble
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 413
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From: Tennessee
Engine Block Heater Trouble
Lately when unplugging my heater I have noticed the cord cap is really hot. MUCH hotter than ever before. I have also noticed the cap on the cord used to plug it into has some melting around one of the blades. Am using 10 gauge extension cord so am sure it is not due to that. Almost like it is pulling a ton of amps but it just keeps going and going. Seems like if it was about to go it would have by now. I use it often so it seems unlikely it is going bad. Anyone else experience this or have an idea what might be the issue?
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Joined: Oct 2009
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This thread covers your issue and offers some advise on testing the heating element.
Scroll past the "Job Questions" for the meat of the thread:
Ford: The plug of my diesel block heater gets ve... - JustAnswer
Scroll past the "Job Questions" for the meat of the thread:
Ford: The plug of my diesel block heater gets ve... - JustAnswer
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From: Tennessee
That will be my next move. My time has been split between work and hanging around after work so Ill pull the cord as soon as I have some free time. Thanks for the links and suggestions.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Remember that heat is caused by resistance, how's your extension cord looking?
If you don't have a solid connection between the block heater cord and the extension cord this will happen. This can also be caused by not plugging the cord in all the way, as there is less contact between the cables.
I'd try another cord unless your block heater cord is too badly damaged.
If you don't have a solid connection between the block heater cord and the extension cord this will happen. This can also be caused by not plugging the cord in all the way, as there is less contact between the cables.
I'd try another cord unless your block heater cord is too badly damaged.
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 413
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From: Tennessee
My 6' 10 gauge extension cord is new. Ive also tried an 8 gauge cord used for 220 converted for use on 110. Both are fine. Im sure now there must be a nick somewhere because the heater works fine and resistance is fine between the blades and the ground. Thanks though Tom. How you likin that new '11?
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
My 6' 10 gauge extension cord is new. Ive also tried an 8 gauge cord used for 220 converted for use on 110. Both are fine. Im sure now there must be a nick somewhere because the heater works fine and resistance is fine between the blades and the ground. Thanks though Tom. How you likin that new '11?
It does have more power, but it's not a huge, night-and-day difference from my '08 like if it were comparing a 7.3L to a 6.4L. The 6-speed tranny is nice, and the biggest improvement there is the select shift functionality.
I'm hoping the fuel economy increases as I get it broken in, but we'll see.
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Tennessee
Wow! Thats freakin awesome on the MPG. I was under the impression that some durability and longevity had been sacrificed to get better mileage by the longer gears in the rear end and a few other things. I was also concerned about it being Ford's first dive into the diesel as far as the SD series. Am now considering trading up, as the mileage alone will eventually pay off. Thanks friend.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Yeah, I was content with the "wait and see" attitude until I suddenly needed a new truck.
I did some homework on the subject and was surprised at what I found. Drop down to the 6.7L forum for a few minutes and you'll see that there isn't much to report in the way of common problems. Myself and a couple others had our turbos replaced because of a noise on cold startups, but it never effected the performance of the truck.
All of us who went to a 6.7L from a 6.4L have been blown away by the fuel economy of this new engine. The urea(DEF) thing is a non-issue, as it goes through a gallon every 1,000 miles on average. Costs $10.99 for 2.5 gallons, so it's nothing to be concerned about.
Ford claims they have designed and tested the new engine for at least a 250,000 mile life cycle. Time will tell!
I did some homework on the subject and was surprised at what I found. Drop down to the 6.7L forum for a few minutes and you'll see that there isn't much to report in the way of common problems. Myself and a couple others had our turbos replaced because of a noise on cold startups, but it never effected the performance of the truck.
All of us who went to a 6.7L from a 6.4L have been blown away by the fuel economy of this new engine. The urea(DEF) thing is a non-issue, as it goes through a gallon every 1,000 miles on average. Costs $10.99 for 2.5 gallons, so it's nothing to be concerned about.
Ford claims they have designed and tested the new engine for at least a 250,000 mile life cycle. Time will tell!
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