adding a 2nd block heater?
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 1
From: Monroe/Ellensburg, WA
If you are more worried about the abuse of a cold start on a motor VS. gelling fuel, you don't live in a cold enough place to constitute this amount of overkill... Just start the truck like normal...
Turn the key to the ON position and take a couple sips of coffee, find a radio station that is playing a song you like, maybe take another sip of coffee, then start the truck...
Turn the key to the ON position and take a couple sips of coffee, find a radio station that is playing a song you like, maybe take another sip of coffee, then start the truck...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Long Island,NY
I had a tank heater laying around in the garage that had glue on one side & I put it on the bottom of the oil pan. I've seen pictures here of the same type of heater on oil pans. It augments the block heater, both are 110 volts & put on the same timer. Seems to work well.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 6
From: Sioux Falls, SD
I live a bit further south than 4dfan in South Dakota. I know your pain - when my pick-up sat outside for any length of time during the winter it sure sounded cranky and rough when she first started. But after running 10-15 minutes or so she would start to sound normal again. The Excursion I just bough last February came with 2 block heaters. Both are in seperate engine plugs (1 in stock location and one in plug closer to the cab). Not sure if it was an improvement or not - will have to wait until this winter to test. The previous owner did run 5W-30 Diesl oil in it during the winter.
Here's a video from last winter. I think the overhrad console reads 4 degrees F, but IIRC the outside air temps were -2F.
Make sure you have some anti-gelling additive in the fuel and run at least a 50/50 mix of #1 and #2 diesel. If you run straight #1 go ahead but I would add a good fuel additive in it to add lubrication since #1 tends to be dryer than #2.
Here's a video from last winter. I think the overhrad console reads 4 degrees F, but IIRC the outside air temps were -2F.
Make sure you have some anti-gelling additive in the fuel and run at least a 50/50 mix of #1 and #2 diesel. If you run straight #1 go ahead but I would add a good fuel additive in it to add lubrication since #1 tends to be dryer than #2.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 718
Likes: 2
From: Chattanooga, TN
There is really no problem with installing a low watt pan heater to the flat surface of the oil pan. These install with silicon to seal from the elements and keep attached to the pan.
This works fine attached to either the tranny pan or oil pan. I had one on the tranny pan before I had it rebuilt and it worked fine without harming the fluids.
This allows the tranny fluid and oil to reach operating temps and operating viscosities without having to drive several miles.
These heating pads come in various sizes and watts.
Good luck,
This works fine attached to either the tranny pan or oil pan. I had one on the tranny pan before I had it rebuilt and it worked fine without harming the fluids.
This allows the tranny fluid and oil to reach operating temps and operating viscosities without having to drive several miles.
These heating pads come in various sizes and watts.
Good luck,
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
From: Eastern Ohio
I like this idea. These things won't go into OD or lock up (not sure which, maybe both) until they hit 56f. A tranny heater may help with winter fuel mileage.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 1
From: Spokane, WA
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
well here is the setup that i have in my 7.3, i have 5-40 syn oil,factory block heater, one 300 watt magnitic pan heater,and two 100 watt battery blankets, also have a insulated winter front on the grill. i have had no problems with this setup. yes it sounds like a lot but here in montana i see temps down to 57 below last year and had almost 40 days strait of below zero weather. this is my daily driver and i cant not aford to have it not start in this cold weather. it works for me and i sure it will work for you also.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 718
Likes: 2
From: Chattanooga, TN
KAWCRASHER
You are correct - if the oil temperature is below a certain point, the tranny will hesitate to shift. However, if the oil and coolant temps are up to snuff, then you are ready to go after startup - and the fluids are very close to operating temps to properly work in the truck.
You are correct - if the oil temperature is below a certain point, the tranny will hesitate to shift. However, if the oil and coolant temps are up to snuff, then you are ready to go after startup - and the fluids are very close to operating temps to properly work in the truck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
Likes: 17
From: Dryden, ON, Canada
I never have cold starting issues with any of my diesels, plugged in or no. I even have a 6.9 that will start on the glows alone at -30.
My reccomendations are, GOOD batteries, 0 or 5W40, full synth, a starter of known good health, and a good working glow plug system.
This is my 96, at -27C, not plugged in, and it has a couple not so great injectors:
-27 Cold Start - YouTube
My old 00 at -38... Block heater died on the coldest weekend of the year...
7.3 Powerstroke Cold Start - YouTube
Too bad the camera cut the video short, the truck had completely disappeared in a cloud of smoke about 30 seconds later...
My reccomendations are, GOOD batteries, 0 or 5W40, full synth, a starter of known good health, and a good working glow plug system.
This is my 96, at -27C, not plugged in, and it has a couple not so great injectors:
-27 Cold Start - YouTube
My old 00 at -38... Block heater died on the coldest weekend of the year...
7.3 Powerstroke Cold Start - YouTube
Too bad the camera cut the video short, the truck had completely disappeared in a cloud of smoke about 30 seconds later...
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
well here is the setup that i have in my 7.3, i have 5-40 syn oil,factory block heater, one 300 watt magnitic pan heater,and two 100 watt battery blankets, also have a insulated winter front on the grill. i have had no problems with this setup. yes it sounds like a lot but here in montana i see temps down to 57 below last year and had almost 40 days strait of below zero weather. this is my daily driver and i cant not aford to have it not start in this cold weather. it works for me and i sure it will work for you also.
My problem is I have nowhere to plug in the truck. That's why I'm getting the generator.
But I don't want to have to run the generator and wait 1-2 hours every time it's cold and I need the truck.
That's why I was thinking of getting 3-4 of these 300 watt heaters.
If I put 2 or 3 of these heaters on the oil pan would that get the job done, and would all that heat be all right for the engine? I just had the oil pan replaced, I don't want to ruin the gasket and have to do it all over again.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: independence,mo
for your situation i think your best bet is to use a small torpedo heater and tarp or block off the front of the engine as described before. we have had to do this to a couple of our service trucks and customers rigs. in about 15-20 minutes they start right up. best of luck to you and let us know what you do and how it works.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 6
From: Sioux Falls, SD
Now that's frackin cold! Straight #1 diesel fuel? Using any additives?