Block heater problems
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
From: Central Kentucky
At roughly what temperature should the block heater be necessary? The owner's manual says it should be used below -10 F, but I think that's mainly for gas engines. The diesel supplement briefly mentions the heater, but doesn't seem to say when it becomes necessary. My truck is hard to start without the heater below about 35 F. Is this normal, or should I be looking for other problems?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 324
From: Arizona
at 1,000 watts if you listen real close when you slowly plug and unplug the block heater you will hear a small pop as the plug makes and breaks contact with the receptacle. Also after 15-20 min the cord will be slightly warm and pliable. Neither of these present then it ain't workin. Beware of a bad/frayed cord, they get bad right where the cord meets the molded plug end inside where you can't see it. This is the spot where the fire starts once enough strands have separated from the blades.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 94
From: Delta, CO
At roughly what temperature should the block heater be necessary? The owner's manual says it should be used below -10 F, but I think that's mainly for gas engines. The diesel supplement briefly mentions the heater, but doesn't seem to say when it becomes necessary. My truck is hard to start without the heater below about 35 F. Is this normal, or should I be looking for other problems?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
Did you use Motorcraft glow plugs ? Non OEM PLUGS have a history of swelling and breaking off.
Did you use an OEM GP Harness? Dormon harnesses are junk and create problems of their own.
All 8 Motorcraft GP only run $75ish, my shop quoted me $340 to put them in and another $100 to do a compression test!
WHY $800?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
My 1999.5 197k miles and probably (afaik) is all original, so about 30 degrees I have to start plugging mine in or I have a hard time starting it. Since it looks like no one else is dumb enough to buy this truck(except me) then I will start upgrading and attempt to make it a better truck than it is right now. Aside from my issues with rust this truck actually has some upgrades on it that I like so it will make a good hauler for my camper once it's fixed up.
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
From: Central Kentucky
Probably because I was stupid and didn't pin them down for a firm estimate before they started. And it wasn't really quite that bad. $800 was the total bill to get me back on the road after I broke down and had to be hauled to the shop. Since I'd had rough start problems, I asked them to check the glow plugs while they had it, although I knew that wasn't the cause of the breakdown.
Bill doesn't itemize labor. Parts were about $100 for a fuel filter and cam sensor, which was apparently why it originally stopped running, and another $120 for glow plugs. That leaves about $600 in labor to diagnose problem, replace filter and CPS, and replace GPs. Probably still more than I should have paid.
Bill doesn't itemize labor. Parts were about $100 for a fuel filter and cam sensor, which was apparently why it originally stopped running, and another $120 for glow plugs. That leaves about $600 in labor to diagnose problem, replace filter and CPS, and replace GPs. Probably still more than I should have paid.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
I just tested the block heater it read (approx) 20.0~ Ohms (this assumes I used the correct setting and read the device correctly)
did the same with the cord connected to the heater element and it read about 20.0 Ohms and went as high as 86.0~ Ohms....does that mean the cord is bad, or is the heater element bad? or Both are bad/going out??
did the same with the cord connected to the heater element and it read about 20.0 Ohms and went as high as 86.0~ Ohms....does that mean the cord is bad, or is the heater element bad? or Both are bad/going out??
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
Welllllll down to 14 last night and a no start for me. Go to plug 'er in and I get a fireworks display at the plug. One wire was broken through there. I got a new end at Ace, RTV Blued it up during assembly and I'm back in business. I will be changing to T6 oil now.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
I just tested the block heater it read (approx) 20.0~ Ohms (this assumes I used the correct setting and read the device correctly)
did the same with the cord connected to the heater element and it read about 20.0 Ohms and went as high as 86.0~ Ohms....does that mean the cord is bad, or is the heater element bad? or Both are bad/going out??
did the same with the cord connected to the heater element and it read about 20.0 Ohms and went as high as 86.0~ Ohms....does that mean the cord is bad, or is the heater element bad? or Both are bad/going out??
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
ok, will do! Will be getting a replacement cord off Amazon soon, along with the plug thing that will go on my bumper so I dont have to fight for the plug end (or possibly forget its sticking out of the grill and rip that off in the process....)
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
well I just placed my order on Amazon, so I will be testing out the heater once it arrives before I start cutting into things!
also bought this little guy, thought it would be a good idea to have the heater plug permanently accessible no matter the grill set up (i am wanting to switch to a better grill on my truck)
I feel it should some some of the plug issues the cords are prone to have...
also bought this little guy, thought it would be a good idea to have the heater plug permanently accessible no matter the grill set up (i am wanting to switch to a better grill on my truck)
I feel it should some some of the plug issues the cords are prone to have...
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
well I just placed my order on Amazon, so I will be testing out the heater once it arrives before I start cutting into things!
also bought this little guy, thought it would be a good idea to have the heater plug permanently accessible no matter the grill set up (i am wanting to switch to a better grill on my truck)
I feel it should some some of the plug issues the cords are prone to have...
also bought this little guy, thought it would be a good idea to have the heater plug permanently accessible no matter the grill set up (i am wanting to switch to a better grill on my truck)
I feel it should some some of the plug issues the cords are prone to have...
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Melba Idaho
I think my cord is bad,I got home last night and went to plug it in and it popped the g.f.i so I left it unplugged.My wife got up this morning and went to work, saw that it was unplugged and plugged it in.So I get up and go to work go outside and see it plugged in and the light on the cord was on go to start my truck and it starts right up.go figure? I think I will go and get a new cord end and wire that in .