Block Heater...Acting Normal or Issues?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Terrell, Texas
Block Heater...Acting Normal or Issues?
Its 34 deg F. and I've had my 2011 F350 plugged up for about 3 hours now. When i 1st plugged in the oil temp was 44 Deg. The temp went up to 48 deg in the first 2 hours and it has been holding steady at 48 deg for the past hour. I know I'm getting power because when I plug it in and unplug it, I get an arc. (didn't feel like digging out the volt meter). Is this normal? I know 34 deg isn't cold but its Texas and its cold enough for me! 
using a 25 ft 16/2 with ground extension cord. Should be heavy enough for 6-8 amps. I believ thats what the heater pulls.
using a 25 ft 16/2 with ground extension cord. Should be heavy enough for 6-8 amps. I believ thats what the heater pulls.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: BC Canada
Your measuring oil temp but the heater is in the coolant on the side of the block. Your coolant should hit 125 F in about 3 hours. If you listen close, it will be hissing. If it's not, then your element is not working. Measure ohms across prongs at block, if you get infinity it's done. If it's a couple hundred, check the cord, same measurements of ohms?
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Terrell, Texas
Your measuring oil temp but the heater is in the coolant on the side of the block. Your coolant should hit 125 F in about 3 hours. If you listen close, it will be hissing. If it's not, then your element is not working. Measure ohms across prongs at block, if you get infinity it's done. If it's a couple hundred, check the cord, same measurements of ohms?
Well that makes sense on why the oil temp is only creeping up. I though the heater was used to warm the oil to make it thinner for start up. Correct me if I'm wrong, but other than the needle there isn't a way to get coolant temps. Don't you need the Edge Insight or something similar? At 125 F does the engine temp needle move any? Thx for the info
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Terrell, Texas
Well, took one last look, and even though its the wrong fluid that i'm getting the temp on, the oil temp has gone to 50 F and ambient temp has dropped to 32 F. So something must be working (hopefully, right?). We'll see , its supposed to get down into the low 20's tonight. I'll check the ohms tomorrow when it warms up to a toasty 45 F. Side note: put climate control to the auto setting and hoping it will bring on the seat warmers. 
Gonna go stare at the back of my eye lids for a bit.
Gonna go stare at the back of my eye lids for a bit.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: nestor falls, canada
I would say your heater is working fine. Its basically a metal heat element that resists electric flow to heat up.
If you get an arc its flowing electricity. If heat element breaks usually no arc.
They really help up here where we can see minus 35-50 temps. In fact, they are esential to diesel starting at those temps but most don't bother till gets below 32 Farenheit.
If you get an arc its flowing electricity. If heat element breaks usually no arc.
They really help up here where we can see minus 35-50 temps. In fact, they are esential to diesel starting at those temps but most don't bother till gets below 32 Farenheit.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: BC Canada
On my 2005 the temp gauge is a dummy light it goes to normal at 130 f and stays there until about 200 degrees as shown on my outlook monitor. I would imagine your gauge is the same but in engineering mode you can Jesse the digital temps. Depending on where the temp sensor for oil and coolant are, they will read the heat rising in the coolant chambers and into the block. My oil temp reading doesn't show a lot different than ambient air when the truck isn't running cause of location, the temp sensor is high above the block Hester so seeing 125 is pretty normal. Of course outside here at -40 C(-20 F) block heater only gets up to about 90 F. I am running 0w40 oil. I have a tranny, engine pan heater I can use if its really nasty cold and I can get to a plug in, heat both oil pan and coolant for easier starting. I have never had too, but I can.
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