Block Heater ?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 939
Likes: 1
Block Heater ?
Never had a block heater on a gasser, know it should be standard option on a diesel, but anybody here get a block heater on their 6.2 and do you use it or no?
Is it worth it if ordering and how well does it work?
My thoughts were to have it plugged into a timer and have it come on at some point in the morning to start warming things up. And maybe I wouldn't have to
remote start the vehicle and leave it run as long to get it warmed up saving a little fuel.
pros/cons.?
Thanks
Is it worth it if ordering and how well does it work?
My thoughts were to have it plugged into a timer and have it come on at some point in the morning to start warming things up. And maybe I wouldn't have to
remote start the vehicle and leave it run as long to get it warmed up saving a little fuel.
pros/cons.?
Thanks
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 283
Likes: 3
From: Crystal City, MO
Mine has one, used it once during the past winter to try it out, got down to -5. Went out and the thermostat was reading 78 degrees the next morning. Drove the car that day to work, the next day was just as cold, didn’t notice any difference in the way the truck started, plugged in or not, and was heated up to around 125 doing a 10 min idle after remote start. This engine seems to warm up so fast I don’t think the block heater is really worth it in my area.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 622
Likes: 6
From: Gladys, VA
I ordered the block heater on my truck. Good to have even though I don't really live in a frozen winter type climate. But, if I travel to a cold climate I will have it. I did try it out this past winter when temps went in single digits and below 0*. Warmed block up quickly.
Manual states "Note: The heater is most effective when outdoor temperatures are below -0°F (-18°C)...............The heater acts as a starting aid by warming the engine coolant. This allows the climate control system to respond quickly. The equipment includes a heater element (installed in the engine block) and a wire harness. You can connect the system to a grounded 120-volt AC electrical source."
Cold starts are the hardest on the engine when cold so the block heater would help by warming the coolant. You only need to plug it in three hours before you start the engine since that's all the time it takes to reach max temperature. For as little as it costs, I added it and will use it when/if needed.
Manual states "Note: The heater is most effective when outdoor temperatures are below -0°F (-18°C)...............The heater acts as a starting aid by warming the engine coolant. This allows the climate control system to respond quickly. The equipment includes a heater element (installed in the engine block) and a wire harness. You can connect the system to a grounded 120-volt AC electrical source."
Cold starts are the hardest on the engine when cold so the block heater would help by warming the coolant. You only need to plug it in three hours before you start the engine since that's all the time it takes to reach max temperature. For as little as it costs, I added it and will use it when/if needed.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 764
Likes: 30
These are essentially unnecessary on a modern, gas fueled, fuel-injected engine. It's not like today's engines need help firing off; these ain't your daddy's old carbureted FE big-blocks ...
Yes - they warm up the coolant and make the cab get warmer a bit faster; if that's a major consideration to you, then order it with the truck. If you live where temps are ROUTINELY below -20F, and uber-cold starts are a common thing, then the warmth will help the defroster start working sooner, etc. That would be a good thing. But for the rest of us, it's moot.
If a truck is on the lot that you like, and it has a block heater, no sense in not getting the truck. If the truck does not have one on the lot, no big deal. But I would not order one unless you really NEED one.
Yes - they warm up the coolant and make the cab get warmer a bit faster; if that's a major consideration to you, then order it with the truck. If you live where temps are ROUTINELY below -20F, and uber-cold starts are a common thing, then the warmth will help the defroster start working sooner, etc. That would be a good thing. But for the rest of us, it's moot.
If a truck is on the lot that you like, and it has a block heater, no sense in not getting the truck. If the truck does not have one on the lot, no big deal. But I would not order one unless you really NEED one.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 16
Likes: 8
My 15 f250 has one and I use it when temps get cold (0*F) for extended periods. I should note though that my truck basically sits all week as I ride in a company rig (another SD). I usually plug it it Friday night if I am planning to head out in the morning on Saturday. Don't know if I have ever noticed that my heater started working any earlier, but I figure it must be good for the motor to spin in slightly warmer oil. Not sure if I am right but makes me feel better hitting the key at -15.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 29
From: Bismarck, ND
Mine has one. I've never plugged it in. My truck sits outside all the time. It gets to -40 F here every winter, sometimes for weeks at a time. Truck starts every morning.
If you want one, get it, but no need to obsess over it.
Depending on the region your truck is being shipped to, it will come with one from Ford. That's why mine has one in it, I didn't special order it.
Now my diesel tractor, I plug into a timer during winter, have it set to turn on a few hours before I get up. Makes a big difference on a diesel tractor with a hydrostat transmission. I have a block heater, oil pan heater, and hydrostat trans heater on the tractor. Still start it up with the glow plugs first, but it's warm enough to use right away.
If you want one, get it, but no need to obsess over it.
Depending on the region your truck is being shipped to, it will come with one from Ford. That's why mine has one in it, I didn't special order it.
Now my diesel tractor, I plug into a timer during winter, have it set to turn on a few hours before I get up. Makes a big difference on a diesel tractor with a hydrostat transmission. I have a block heater, oil pan heater, and hydrostat trans heater on the tractor. Still start it up with the glow plugs first, but it's warm enough to use right away.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,565
Likes: 5,601
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i never checked if my 14 has one or not. all my diesels do though. i only use the block heater on the diesels if it is going to snow, so i can fire up and leave rite away.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 165
Likes: 1
From: Calgary, Canada
These are essentially unnecessary on a modern, gas fueled, fuel-injected engine. It's not like today's engines need help firing off; these ain't your daddy's old carbureted FE big-blocks ...
Yes - they warm up the coolant and make the cab get warmer a bit faster; if that's a major consideration to you, then order it with the truck. If you live where temps are ROUTINELY below -20F, and uber-cold starts are a common thing, then the warmth will help the defroster start working sooner, etc. That would be a good thing. But for the rest of us, it's moot.
If a truck is on the lot that you like, and it has a block heater, no sense in not getting the truck. If the truck does not have one on the lot, no big deal. But I would not order one unless you really NEED one.
Yes - they warm up the coolant and make the cab get warmer a bit faster; if that's a major consideration to you, then order it with the truck. If you live where temps are ROUTINELY below -20F, and uber-cold starts are a common thing, then the warmth will help the defroster start working sooner, etc. That would be a good thing. But for the rest of us, it's moot.
If a truck is on the lot that you like, and it has a block heater, no sense in not getting the truck. If the truck does not have one on the lot, no big deal. But I would not order one unless you really NEED one.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,565
Likes: 5,601
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
in a diesel it heats the block to help combustion diesel is burned by compression caused heat. if the block is -10 degrees it will take a while of spinning it over to raise cylinder temps enough to fire up.
with the block heater plugged in and 100 degree cylinder wall temps, it will crack rite off.
with the block heater plugged in and 100 degree cylinder wall temps, it will crack rite off.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 537
From: Wasilla, AK
I owned a few vehicles with block heaters when we lived in Alaska. Generally they were plugged in if the outside temp was supposed to drop below 10F. It always made for easier starting and getting heat faster.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 764
Likes: 30
you obviously don’t live where it gets really cold. The block heater warms up the engine block, the oil on the cylinder walls and the oil that stays the in the lubrication system above the filter to allow for easier starts in extremely cold weather. The block heater and synthetic oil will allow for easier starting and quicker oil delivery to all the moving parts of the engine. The truck might start without it, but it’s sure easier on the engine and your ears not hearing the top end of the engine hammer until the oil gets up there. Probably not needed in most of the USA outside of Alaska, but a must have in most parts of Western Canada.
How did my answer differ from yours? I admit that a block heater has benefits, but ONLY in really cold areas which see consistently cold temps below -20F. What is "easier on your ears" really has no bearing on the engine. Wear data shows no statistically significant wear range shift when today's products (well designed engines and thin lubes) are employed. The most tangible benefit is that of quicker heat into the cab and defrost modes.