Block heater question
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Block heater question
I have a 93 idi and it is getting colder. I'm new to diesels so this is probably a stupid question but figured I'd ask beforehand... Am I supposed to unplug the block heater before I attempt to start it? Thanks
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Western Mass
If you're just starting it to work on something, it doesn't matter. But if you're going to work, unplug it before you get in. Depending on how you park your truck in relation to your house, you may want to run the extension cord in a unique manner to remind you its plugged in.
I relocated the plug to a spot on the bumper on the drivers side so I don't have to walk around my truck each morning. However I've still driven off a couple times with it still plugged in. Luckily I always back out so it unplugs itself before I get too far, but I still cringe when I get back and notice the cord stretched out in my parking spot
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i always drape the power cord over the driver side mirror when the truck is plugged in, so i see it when cleaning the truck off, or the driver sees it/trips over it trying to get into the truck.
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gotcha. I don't think I'll forget it's plugged in by the way I am parking it next to the garage.... it's too tall to fit inside unfortunately. Thanks guys for your help and patience. I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't possibly short anything out when going to start it. I was also wondering if I was going to need to put in the tank so the fuel doesn't gel, at what temp i should start putting anything in the tank (rear tank needs a fuel line, fix it eventually). I live in NH, at the worst of winter it probably goes down to 0 or -10 without windchill.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
at -10 i would not worry too much. if it is going to sip down to -20 or -30, then i would put a bottle of diesel kleen winter formula or the equivalent in the tank.
your weather in NH is not very different than what we get here in NJ.
and i only plug the trucks in if i know i will be going out plowing within the next 4-5 hours. this way i do not have to wake the neighbors up with them running high idle warming up while cleaning them off to go.
your weather in NH is not very different than what we get here in NJ.
and i only plug the trucks in if i know i will be going out plowing within the next 4-5 hours. this way i do not have to wake the neighbors up with them running high idle warming up while cleaning them off to go.
Logistics Pro
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From: Western Mass
I've never had to put anything in my tanks either and I'm in Massachusetts, so pretty much the same weather as you get.
I run my block heater on a timer. When I get back from work I plug it in and it turns on for whatever time I set it for. Usually I'd set it to go on 2-3 hours before I left for work. That wasn't really enough to get the coolant up enough where it would be blowing warm air right off the bat, but it would start right up no problem after the glow plugs cycled. I kind of went for a balance between easy starting and running up the electrical bill. If the glow plug and fuel system are in good shape, you shouldn't have to worry about starting in cold weather.
I run my block heater on a timer. When I get back from work I plug it in and it turns on for whatever time I set it for. Usually I'd set it to go on 2-3 hours before I left for work. That wasn't really enough to get the coolant up enough where it would be blowing warm air right off the bat, but it would start right up no problem after the glow plugs cycled. I kind of went for a balance between easy starting and running up the electrical bill. If the glow plug and fuel system are in good shape, you shouldn't have to worry about starting in cold weather.
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Posting Guru
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My ex had a diesel suburban, I set a cinder block on the power cord so even if she forgot to unplug it, it would unplug it's self.
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From: Connecticut
I always set my cord reel on the drivers tire, that way I see it unplug it, and roll the cord back up after starting it.
I want to get into the habit of flipping off the circut before I go out there to start it, as I dont like the way it sparks when I unplug the cord behind the bumper.
I always start my truck early and let it run before driving off, that and I need to put the timer back on the lizards tank so his heat light comes on lol
I want to get into the habit of flipping off the circut before I go out there to start it, as I dont like the way it sparks when I unplug the cord behind the bumper.
I always start my truck early and let it run before driving off, that and I need to put the timer back on the lizards tank so his heat light comes on lol
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