Block heater
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
I live in Northern Canada and there are two main reasons why we should use a block heater. The quicker you get the engine to operating temperature the more efficient it is and then there is the comfort.
It has been below -25 degrees F the past 4 mornings and my truck has started below -38 degrees. It's been below freezing since November. I mostly plug my truck in at home and have it on a timer that turns on the block heater 3 hours before I head to work. It cost me less then $.30 for the electricity. I remote start my truck 10 minutes before I get in the truck to drive 20 minutes to work. I do have the Supplemental Heater.
With plugging my block heater in.
It is easier on the engine.
It is easier on the batteries.
The engine gets to operating temperature quicker.
The hotter the engine the more it heats the fuel.
The quicker the engine heats up, it heats up the transmission.
The windshield is clear.
I use at least a $1.00 worth of fuel less.
At Idle I show twice the fuel flow then at operating temperature.
Most people around here don't plug in their block heater. It is my opinion that not using a block heater for the engine is like not using the steering wheel heater and heated seats for myself. I started my truck with the key yesterday when it was -38F and not plugged in. I will tell you that it wasn't happy, I don't hear it when using the remote.
It has been below -25 degrees F the past 4 mornings and my truck has started below -38 degrees. It's been below freezing since November. I mostly plug my truck in at home and have it on a timer that turns on the block heater 3 hours before I head to work. It cost me less then $.30 for the electricity. I remote start my truck 10 minutes before I get in the truck to drive 20 minutes to work. I do have the Supplemental Heater.
With plugging my block heater in.
It is easier on the engine.
It is easier on the batteries.
The engine gets to operating temperature quicker.
The hotter the engine the more it heats the fuel.
The quicker the engine heats up, it heats up the transmission.
The windshield is clear.
I use at least a $1.00 worth of fuel less.
At Idle I show twice the fuel flow then at operating temperature.
Most people around here don't plug in their block heater. It is my opinion that not using a block heater for the engine is like not using the steering wheel heater and heated seats for myself. I started my truck with the key yesterday when it was -38F and not plugged in. I will tell you that it wasn't happy, I don't hear it when using the remote.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
I bought my truck used.. 2012 6.7 and I have yet to find a block heater cord. I'm guessing its not there. I can say that I generally use the remote start to warm it up. It takes about 3 seconds before it starts. And she fires right up. I have not had an issue yet. It is 12 degrees here tonight and was 8 this morning. No issues
If you have it the cord would be around the passenger side tow hook.
You can also look thru the passenger side wheel well just about the starter and see if the cord is there, coming from the block (the element).
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,180
Likes: 83
From: Georgia
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,180
Likes: 83
From: Georgia
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Thanks for the reply, I have looked all around the front grill by the tow hooks. No cord to be found. I will look through the wheel well this morning to see if I can find it.
New User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I felt that my '04 6.0 started much better with it being plugged in. It seems the '15 starts a little better. I plug it in when it reaches 20 degrees F.
Can someone tell me if it's bad to leave the truck plugged in? It's plugged in now, temps got down to 6 last night. Will that hurt the truck somehow? It may not even be driven today but it might....
Thanks!
Can someone tell me if it's bad to leave the truck plugged in? It's plugged in now, temps got down to 6 last night. Will that hurt the truck somehow? It may not even be driven today but it might....
Thanks!
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 613
Likes: 1
I have been using mine when it's been in the teens, not so much for the purpose of an easy start as near instant heat. I spent all winter last year with substandard heat in my old truck and I'll be damned if I'm going to be cold this year. It's there and I use it until I put in the remote starter.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,180
Likes: 83
From: Georgia
I felt that my '04 6.0 started much better with it being plugged in. It seems the '15 starts a little better. I plug it in when it reaches 20 degrees F.
Can someone tell me if it's bad to leave the truck plugged in? It's plugged in now, temps got down to 6 last night. Will that hurt the truck somehow? It may not even be driven today but it might....
Thanks!
Can someone tell me if it's bad to leave the truck plugged in? It's plugged in now, temps got down to 6 last night. Will that hurt the truck somehow? It may not even be driven today but it might....
Thanks!
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 526
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
Some time ago I wrote an article on installing the heater and cord on 6.7L trucks. I get a lot of requests for these kinds of things. For those who want to tackle it yourselves it is not too difficult. Follow the article and enjoy.
6.7L Block Heater Install - DTS Articles - Articles - Articles - DTS
6.7L Block Heater Install - DTS Articles - Articles - Articles - DTS
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,762
Likes: 115
MPD56 is right on the money in my way of thinking too.
I leave mine plugged in overnight. I don't have a good timer and $1.00 it costs instead of the $.30 doesn't bug me either. Plus, I noticed that when it gets below zero the truck gets a little warmer if it is plugged in for more than 3 hours. Not that only 3 hours is bad.
It doesn't seem to ever get the truck hood warm enough to melt snow on top of the hood... Only way I know it worked is to check the temps before i plug it in and then check them hours later after the truck is plugged in. Oil temp will get to around +25F to +40F depending on how cold it is and how long plugged in. Coolant doesn't have a digital temp on the dash... And the needle never moves. Yeah, I know that it isn't in the oil - but at least the oil temp moves up a bit. Ohh and the spark I get when I unplug the heater cord from the extension cord...
I leave mine plugged in overnight. I don't have a good timer and $1.00 it costs instead of the $.30 doesn't bug me either. Plus, I noticed that when it gets below zero the truck gets a little warmer if it is plugged in for more than 3 hours. Not that only 3 hours is bad.
It doesn't seem to ever get the truck hood warm enough to melt snow on top of the hood... Only way I know it worked is to check the temps before i plug it in and then check them hours later after the truck is plugged in. Oil temp will get to around +25F to +40F depending on how cold it is and how long plugged in. Coolant doesn't have a digital temp on the dash... And the needle never moves. Yeah, I know that it isn't in the oil - but at least the oil temp moves up a bit. Ohh and the spark I get when I unplug the heater cord from the extension cord...
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 572
Likes: 29
Some time ago I wrote an article on installing the heater and cord on 6.7L trucks. I get a lot of requests for these kinds of things. For those who want to tackle it yourselves it is not too difficult. Follow the article and enjoy.
6.7L Block Heater Install - DTS Articles - Articles - Articles - DTS
6.7L Block Heater Install - DTS Articles - Articles - Articles - DTS