Block Heater Working?
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,415
Likes: 2,910
From: Reed Point, MT
"Wind chill" is not a factor. -20F is -20F to a vehicle's engine/oil/cooling system regardless of no wind or 100+ MPH.
It IS a factor to humans/animals with exposed skin (cell moisture). Air movement around a vehicle is only a factor for the rate of cooling.
It IS a factor to humans/animals with exposed skin (cell moisture). Air movement around a vehicle is only a factor for the rate of cooling.
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 496
Likes: 34
cleatus12r is correct. Wind effects animals with sweat glands the worst. That's how we cool our bodies. The only effect it would have on an engine is if you were driving and after shutdown of a warm engine the wind would cool it down faster. But once it hit the ambient air temperature that's as far as it will go. The amazing difference though is in block metals. It's amazing. I was a outside sales rep for 25 years and went through many cars. The cars with all cast iron blocks kept the engine warmer in the winter. I would spend a hour at a customer in the winter and still have some heat in the block at startup for the heater. The all Aluminum blocks would be dead cold and have to start all over again to get heat in the cotpit.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,182
Likes: 1,336
From: Bahstun
you should see a small spark when connecting it, if not ohm it out and if higher than 10 ohms, its dead or the wiring to it could be an issue
did you clean the plug? if corroded, it wont allow enough current flow
get a wet vac to suck on the rad cap, unscrew and replace quickly with 1 -1/8 wrench using Teflon liquid sealant
did you clean the plug? if corroded, it wont allow enough current flow
get a wet vac to suck on the rad cap, unscrew and replace quickly with 1 -1/8 wrench using Teflon liquid sealant
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
To me, that is just logic but it is amazing at how many people don't understand it. Wind can't take away heat that isn't there.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
I can't see why not and for ease of access, I would try it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,182
Likes: 1,336
From: Bahstun
if open double check its plugged in on the block, the metal clips can rot off and let plug come out
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 426
Likes: 72
From: Aroostook County, Maine
It IS a factor to humans/animals with exposed skin (cell moisture). Air movement around a vehicle is only a factor for the rate of cooling.
Around here, any forest products worker who routinely leaves heavy equipment outdoors overnight (if it isn't run 24 hrs) will share that they have more problems after a night of big winds than anything else. Those last few degrees matter.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 442
From: Eastern Washington
Many times a replacement plug end will fix it,
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 496
Likes: 34
Don't remember what I did as it was 3+ years ago when I had the oil cooler out. Must have tested something because the plug end has new electrical tape on it. However good advice. Good chance I will get to it today as I have to move the truck to get another project out and into my working garage.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 788
From: Kinnula,Finland
So you have some Finnish Sisu in you!
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 496
Likes: 34
Wow 68 here in northeastern Ohio yesterday. Took time to clean up the plug terminals and retested. Came up with 15.6 ohms at the plug. Didn't go any farther so I figured I was good. Plugs probably didn't make good contact that night when it was friged. I'll try someother time and listen for the sizzle.
