Oil heater
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New User
Joined: Apr 2014
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Oil heater
Engine guide states to use block warmer when temp's dip below -10. I was just curious as to how long you need to run it. So i dont have to leave it on all night. Was going to put it on a timer tonight. Or is it just better to just leave it on. And how do you know it on. Was just curious in case it failed. How would you know it wasnt working.
Thanks
Steve
Thanks
Steve
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,465
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It's not an "oil" heater though.
It heats the coolant.
Some do leave the heater on all night, some on the timer.
You would know if it is working if you start the truck and the heater works right away and there is some temperature showing on the gauge.
It heats the coolant.
Some do leave the heater on all night, some on the timer.
You would know if it is working if you start the truck and the heater works right away and there is some temperature showing on the gauge.
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New User
Joined: Apr 2014
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Absolutely correct Ltngdrvr. It is a coolant heater. I thought i read some where that it was an oil heater. I was looking for the information in the owners guide supplement. The coolant warmer info was in the owners guide in the driving section. The warmer reaches maximum temp in 3 hours. Any more than that will not make it any warmer. And is just a waste of electricity. And it pulls between 400 and 1000 watts. So its worth investing in a timer.
Thanks for the info guys. I appreciate it. Keep your blocks warm.
Steve
Thanks for the info guys. I appreciate it. Keep your blocks warm.
Steve
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
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From: Isanti, MN
I used to put it on a timer for about three hours.
None of my trucks would get that warm on the block heater. It's a 900W heating element tasked with warming a 1,000 lb chunk of metal sitting in ambient air temps below freezing.
I never saw above around 65° ECT after a few hours, which wasn't enough to move the needle.
I never saw above around 65° ECT after a few hours, which wasn't enough to move the needle.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 661
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From: Ontario , Canada
Same as everybody else here...roughly 3 hours as well for the block heater. If you still have your egr coolers in place...you can pop the hood and touch the upper cooler..it'll be warm if the block heater is working. Assuming of course you have the 6.4L that is. Another thing you can do is when you first plug it in....go to passenger side wheel well and have a listen....you'll hear a bubbling sound when it first heats up...sort of like a kettle when you first turn it on.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 1
From: Frederick MD
Usually I plug mine in the nights before I have to go to work. When it's under 30 outside. I see Usually see an oil and coolant temp between 80 and 90F in the morning
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
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Some thoughts...
If you are going to use a timer, make sure you get one that is rated for the amps you are going to pull through it.
Keep the prongs at the end of the cord clean. They are exposed to the elements and will crud up.
Use a heavy duty exterior rated extension cord. Get a cord that isn't longer than what you need.
A lot of guys on here plug their block heaters into a GFCI outlet. Not a bad idea.
If you are going to use a timer, make sure you get one that is rated for the amps you are going to pull through it.
Keep the prongs at the end of the cord clean. They are exposed to the elements and will crud up.
Use a heavy duty exterior rated extension cord. Get a cord that isn't longer than what you need.
A lot of guys on here plug their block heaters into a GFCI outlet. Not a bad idea.
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Land of Taxes
Plug it in at night...unplug before you drive it. Thats what its designed to do. I Plug mine in at 30*F. Make sure you take proper measures to secure both the extension cord and the truck pig tail. So when you forget to unplug it it simply uncouples without ripping anything out.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Plug it in at night...unplug before you drive it. Thats what its designed to do. I Plug mine in at 30*F. Make sure you take proper measures to secure both the extension cord and the truck pig tail. So when you forget to unplug it it simply uncouples without ripping anything out.
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