How cold before engine block heater really helps?
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New User
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 21
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From: Western Nebraska
How cold before engine block heater really helps?
My 2010 F350 V10 gasser has an engine block heater. Tested it today and looks like it draws around 625w. I'd probably put it on a timer/controller to turn on it at specific times, but I'm curious what you guys think as far as how cold it really needs to get before running these block heaters really makes much of a difference. Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
really not needed at all for gassers
my plow trucks (one 5.4l and one 6.2l) have always started fine sitting out in the cold. think the coldest may have been close to -25f. i use remote starters to get them going so that they’re warm and defrosted by the time i get into them.
i think i used the block heater once to test it out.
biggest factor in cold is the condition of your battery; newer battery with the highest cca available is the best
i do use the block heater in my diesel skidsteer, but that’s a little different
my plow trucks (one 5.4l and one 6.2l) have always started fine sitting out in the cold. think the coldest may have been close to -25f. i use remote starters to get them going so that they’re warm and defrosted by the time i get into them.
i think i used the block heater once to test it out.
biggest factor in cold is the condition of your battery; newer battery with the highest cca available is the best
i do use the block heater in my diesel skidsteer, but that’s a little different
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
GENERALLY anything at or below 0° F. for a gasser. But it depends on what you're aiming for when you say "make a difference", in terms of just getting heat in the cabin quickly I'd start at around 20°F., for a Diesel anytime it gets cloudy or overcast. /s
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2019
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Having lived and worked in the far North where the temps can stay -40F for weeks on end, a cold start is extremely hard on any engine. A block heater helps with warming up the coolant in the block, but dose nothing for the engine oil sitting in the bottom of the pan. I like to use a magnetic oil pan heater to help with the lubrication of the bearings, etc. during a cold start up. My old 1993 F-350 was a military truck that was used up in Fair Banks AK. This truck had two block heaters, one on each side of the engine, a magnetic oil pan heater for both the engine and transmission and also a heated battery blanket for the Battery. The truck is still running strong to this day.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 250
From: North Texas
Haha, I laughed too hard at this... and cried.
But, there is a lot to be said for maintenance when it comes to how cold until you need the block heater.
But, there is a lot to be said for maintenance when it comes to how cold until you need the block heater.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: 0,0,1
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 29
From: Bismarck, ND
Mine came with a block heater when new.
It's never been plugged in.
Ever.
It gets to -40F here every winter. It may stay at -30F and colder for a month straight.
Truck starts every day. And it sits outside all year around.
Run synthetic oil.
It's never been plugged in.
Ever.
It gets to -40F here every winter. It may stay at -30F and colder for a month straight.
Truck starts every day. And it sits outside all year around.
Run synthetic oil.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 93
Likes: 1
For whats it's worth, some heaters you can buy have a thermostat and will only come on when it's cold enough, not sure what that temp is ?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,463
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From: Calgary Canada
Energy saving tip, run your block heater on a timer so it comes on a hour before you leave in the morning. No need to run it all night. Of course, we almost never use ours, and it does get cold where I live. I actually think throwing a battery tender/maintainer on during the coldest nights makes a bigger difference, but that's not a popular opinion . . . .
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,147
Likes: 7,975
From: Texas
Obviously you have never been around a 6.7 PowerStroke!!!!!!!! LOL Both of mine started better than either the 5.4 gas or the 6.2 gas. I had them all.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Any time it's below freezing outside the heater is a benefit. Not only will the engine start easier, the heat and defrosters will come up a lot faster too. FYI, for 625 watts at .12 a kilowatt that's $.075/hour or .60 to run the heater for 8 hours. If you did that every day the heater will cost about $18 a month to run. Sorry for the math, that's the electrician in me.
Lucky only .12 a kw! Its .47kw here.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Diesels don't tend to warm up as fast do they? That's kind of what I was getting at. My only experience with diesel engines was in the .mil, though they didn't seem to like cold weather very much. They would start eventually, but it took a while, now and then we had to start the whole motorpool at once, and much hilarity would ensue.
I went with .12/KW because that's the national average, at .47/KW I think I'd install solar on my roof.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,827
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From: Jersey Shore
Two modes for my 6.0.
If I wanted a warm cab as though it was like a fall day rather then winter, anytime it would get under 30ºF.
Otherwise, it would have to be below 0ºF before I used the block heater.
If I wanted a warm cab as though it was like a fall day rather then winter, anytime it would get under 30ºF.
Otherwise, it would have to be below 0ºF before I used the block heater.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 93
Likes: 1
Getting back to the original question, How cold before engine block heater really helps? IMO, to many variables involved to give a specific temperature. No two engines gas and or diesel will act the same when trying to start them in the cold. Cold temperatures and a vehicle that will not start is a good indicator that something needs to be addressed. Whether it's an old battery that has no cranking amps when cold or something as simple as cleaning the terminals. Cold weather seems to almost always find the weakest link and will cause a cold no start condition. It's safe to say, anyone who have lived in or grew up in -0 F conditions has a very clear understanding what it takes to start their vehicles in the cold. Whether it's the luxury of having a heated garage or your vehicle having to be plugged in all night because it's sitting out in a 4' snow bank, -10 F with a -35 F wind chill on top. Keeping good vehicle maintenance really helps in these types of cold weather conditions. This all being said with 40 years of cold weather vehicle survivor skills.