Old Block Heater
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 189
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Old Block Heater
Over the past couple of years, I've been slowly working on my 86' 6.9 C&C dually, getting it up to snuff for more regular use; its pretty much there but I'm somewhat hesitant on winter use because I don't like the prospect of smoking my glow plugs (as an additional question, how long is it safe to run the glow plugs on a manual switch? I try to keep it under 8 Mississippi; 7/8 were replaced this year).
Earlier this summer, I found that the rig has a block heater - My question here is: Will a block heater that has not been used in "forever" pose a risk to the engine? I'd love to keep driving the truck into December, or really any time there isn't real snow covering the roads.
Earlier this summer, I found that the rig has a block heater - My question here is: Will a block heater that has not been used in "forever" pose a risk to the engine? I'd love to keep driving the truck into December, or really any time there isn't real snow covering the roads.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 170
Likes: 4
An 8 second cycle or less should be enough depending on the ambient temperature. You can cycle more than once with a few seconds wait/off time between cycles. Block heater should be ok to use they are a very simple device. The power cord may have cracked insulation due to age. Inspect it for wear before use. Not sure if a replacement cord is available. They were available in the past.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,664
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From: Northwest
I too have heard all the horror stories about burning up the glow plugs......... I have a 7.3 IDI. With winter coming on here in Montana, I just did something very simple to satisfy my own curiosity. I took a new glow plug and a few older ones, set them on the metal next to the battery and hooked up short jumpers to the different glow plug (one at a time) and watched them ....... New one took about 10 seconds to heat up, older one's took about 15 seconds to heat up. After that I just rigged up a push button for the glow plugs on my dash. So far, 15 seconds of power to the glow plugs and the motor starts right up... JMHO
Hobo
Hobo
Scope Wizard
Joined: May 2019
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3 seconds is all I have ever run my plugs even on our coldest days... but it's Texas sometimes if it is below freezing I may have to do a second start attempt but still just a 3 second bump.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2015
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And yes only the early ones 83-early85, easily identified either by the numbers or lack of boss around the heater.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2020
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Thanks for the help guys, I really appreciate it and hope to eventually know enough to do the same for others.
I might look into a lower hose heater - I've used/installed those on tractors before and trust them.
After yesterday, Michigan is officially going to be cold until late March, haha.
I might look into a lower hose heater - I've used/installed those on tractors before and trust them.
After yesterday, Michigan is officially going to be cold until late March, haha.
Last edited by PossumTruck; Oct 24, 2020 at 09:25 AM. Reason: search function is my friend.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
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Scope Wizard
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,530
Likes: 25
on the Old style system Glow plugs only ran 4-10 seconds even at Below 0 F
on the new style the Wait to start lamp is on for a Max of 15 seconds... the glow plugs can still cycle for up to 70 seconds depending on the Controller Temp
see page 11 of my GP troubleshooting guide that I have posted numerous times.
on the new style the Wait to start lamp is on for a Max of 15 seconds... the glow plugs can still cycle for up to 70 seconds depending on the Controller Temp
see page 11 of my GP troubleshooting guide that I have posted numerous times.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 224
From: Nevada
Over the past couple of years, I've been slowly working on my 86' 6.9 C&C dually, getting it up to snuff for more regular use; its pretty much there but I'm somewhat hesitant on winter use because I don't like the prospect of smoking my glow plugs (as an additional question, how long is it safe to run the glow plugs on a manual switch? I try to keep it under 8 Mississippi; 7/8 were replaced this year).
Earlier this summer, I found that the rig has a block heater - My question here is: Will a block heater that has not been used in "forever" pose a risk to the engine? I'd love to keep driving the truck into December, or really any time there isn't real snow covering the roads.
Earlier this summer, I found that the rig has a block heater - My question here is: Will a block heater that has not been used in "forever" pose a risk to the engine? I'd love to keep driving the truck into December, or really any time there isn't real snow covering the roads.
How ever I would check the power cord to see if it is in good condition.
No cuts or abrasion etc... Mine had rubbed on something and I had copper showing
on one strand. So bought a new one off E-bay.
Some Power cords plug into the BH, and some have a screw on collar.
I replaced mine a couple years ago when my Oil Cooler puke oil in the cooling system.
Flushing the system of oil and draining the block etc... I noticed there was leakage around
the Block Heater. The rubber O Ring was old and cracked, probably been in there 30 years.
So I replaced it with a new one. Think they are around $50 bucks.
Now if some prior owner changed out your engine with an earlier one, all bet are off.
best to check on the block #`s. Some where on this Forum is a listing of block #`s.
Charlie
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 454
Likes: 97
From: SE WI
I replaced my block heater cord at Napa for $20 a few years ago. I ended up putting an onboard inlet on the driver's side of the bumper, wired in a gnarly old 3 way plug, and added an 800ma trickle charger in there as well. Definitely has gotten me an extra few years out of my clapped-out batteries.
New User
Joined: May 2020
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Make sure you've got good glow plugs in there - i always use motorcraft glow plugs and replace them going into winter each year... been through a set of broken off ones (previous owner put some autolite in there and had to pull the heads to get all the bits and pieces out). 8 sec is the max i run - with a 1 minute interval between starting attempts to be safe. Prob. not necessary to wait so long, but i don't wanna pull any more heads to remove chunks of plugs!
i also had an 84 i bought when i was a teenager, first truck didn't know anything about these then, and someone had cycled the heater to long and turned out it had a cracked block. Drove fine, just drank water like crazyyy. But yea, that issue was supposed to have been fixed mid way thru 85.
i also had an 84 i bought when i was a teenager, first truck didn't know anything about these then, and someone had cycled the heater to long and turned out it had a cracked block. Drove fine, just drank water like crazyyy. But yea, that issue was supposed to have been fixed mid way thru 85.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,739
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From: Western Mass
I replaced my block heater cord at Napa for $20 a few years ago. I ended up putting an onboard inlet on the driver's side of the bumper, wired in a gnarly old 3 way plug, and added an 800ma trickle charger in there as well. Definitely has gotten me an extra few years out of my clapped-out batteries.
I've thought about the trickle charger, just never got around to it... May do that when I replace the bumper on the '93.
The cord I plug into is on a timer to be on for about 2-3 hours in the morning before I would typically leave for work, with a manual override for weekend use, or if I was leaving at a different time. Unless its ridiculously cold (like Alaska) you don't need more than a couple hours with the block heater. It doesn't effect the engine any for it to be on 24-7, however your electric bill will skyrocket.