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I bought my truck in El Paso ( a state where they do not install the block heater) but I had them install one before I made the purchase. I am from Iowa and it does get a tad cold there. Haven't used it yet since El Paso doesn't get cold enough.
Hey Gsxr1300,
I take it you own a 'Busa.
I bought the car in my home state California.
Found the cord earlier I just thought there was another cord that came with it.
I guess tomorrow I will check to see it actually has an element installed.
Still waiting on my bed liner & all weather floor mats that I talked the dealer into giving me.
I agree. I park in garage every night but I still plug it in in the winter. It starts just fine no matter the temps inside or out when not plugged in, but it seems to appreciate plugging it in as I don't get the whine I get without plugging it in. Also, it definitely start blowing hot air quicker than without....and I have the supplemental cab heater as well.
When you say "supplemental cab heater," do you mean a factory installed unit? Or a air heater that you installed yourself, like a webasto? I am thinking of going this 'aftermarket' route, for coolant heating and air heating. But if there is an OEM cab heater...I'd like to at least look into it.
When you say "supplemental cab heater," do you mean a factory installed unit? Or a air heater that you installed yourself, like a webasto? I am thinking of going this 'aftermarket' route, for coolant heating and air heating. But if there is an OEM cab heater...I'd like to at least look into it.
There is an OEM option for a "rapid supplemental cab heater" on all of the 6.7s. It supplies electric heat until the engine is warm enough to kick in.
I bought my F250 in 2012. (2011 Model) I specifically paid for a heater to be installed, since I am from a Southern state, but my parents live up North. The dealer charged me $450. I didn't mind paying the $450, since the dealer was trying to sell the older model and offered a really great price for the truck.
If the outside temp is in the single digits, how hot should the oil temp be, when I crank the truck? (Plugged in overnight.) Earlier this week, my temp was a degree or two higher than the outside temp.
Is this because the block heater is located in a different location, than the oil temp sensor?
If I turn on the ignition, but not crank the truck, what temp should be indicated on the screen?
New to diesel engines. First time posting. I bought my F250 in 2012. (2011 Model) I specifically paid for a heater to be installed, since I am from a Southern state, but my parents live up North. The dealer charged me $450. I didn't mind paying the $450, since the dealer was trying to sell the older model and offered a really great price for the truck. If the outside temp is in the single digits, how hot should the oil temp be, when I crank the truck? (Plugged in overnight.) Earlier this week, my temp was a degree or two higher than the outside temp. Is this because the block heater is located in a different location, than the oil temp sensor? If I turn on the ignition, but not crank the truck, what temp should be indicated on the screen? Thanks, MarkN
Hi Mark, welcome to FTE!
Don't worry that much about it. Ford only recommends using the block heater when it gets below -10 F. The block heater is located in one of the casting plugs and heats the coolant, this is far above your oil temp sensor. The oil is down in the oil pan and isn't heated by the block heater.
If you're below -10 you should plug it in for a couple hours before starting, above that it's purely optional. Don't worry about coolant or oil temps, the engine will be just fine.
Tom, I appreciate the quick response. A few days ago, the temps dropped and when I cranked the engine it stumbled during starting. Since this is my first diesel, I was concerned about whether the block heater was working. My problem now is keeping my wife out of the driver's seat. She would rather drive my F250 than her Expedition. I am wrestling with the idea of buying her an Excursion. Thanks Again, MarkN
Two ways to check to be sure it's working. The heater should draw around 900 watts of power if I remember right, so if you measure draw at the plug you can verify its operation. Your engine coolant temp should also rise about 40-50 degrees higher than ambient after about two hours. When temperatures were in the teens I used to see about 55-60 degrees ECT after two to three hours.
Another way to tell if it is working and a nice benefit is if you have warmer than ambient air coming from the vents within a minute of starting the engine.
In the supplemental heater link in my signature I did some tests with and without the block heater plugged in. With a 12 degree F ambient temp and with the truck plugged in for 6 hours my oil temp at startup was 44 degrees and at the one minute mark it was 62 degrees. Much more data and graphs available via the link in my sig. Here's a screen shot of the plugged in test.
Block heaters come standard equipment in all 15 cold weather states . I just bought a new 2016 f250 and the block heater wasn't on it but I showed the dealer in the ford brochure it comes standards and they put it on for free
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