How cold?
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 568
Likes: 1
From: Kansas
How cold?
At what temperature would a person need to always plug in the block heater for a cold morning start? It was 17 this morning but the truck was inside a unheated shed, not plugged in and it did start.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 632
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From: Fairbanks, Alaska
I think they recommend 20 degrees but with the high cost of electricity when mine is parked outside (not very often) I plug in around 10. With the proper oil these things will start at -40 without plugging in but it is not real good on the motor. I have did it when I had no choice and the engine sounds real bad for a minute or two.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 284
Likes: 5
From: Mena, AR
All of our diesel engines, ambulances, trucks etc. are plugged in with the block heaters on during the Winter. They all sit in a heated engine room of about 40-50 degrees, but starting and running full throttle really wears on them if dead cold. They respond much better if warm. When left outside for any length of time they run like a dog! Of course they are all Detroit Diesels with the exception of the PSD Ford ambulances. I left my shift the other morning with the temp. about 25 degrees and my PSD started right up without the block heater. Just takes a long time for the heater to blow warm air.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2003
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Over the past two weeks here in New England the temps have been between 10 to 25 degrees in the early hours of the morning. Sometimes much lower if you factor in the wind chill. Without plugging my truck in it has started without hesitation. The motor does run rough for the first few minutes, but I always let it run for atleast 15 minutes in the driveway before I leave. The key is antigel additive. Keep it in every tank and you shouldnt have any problem starting as long as the rest of the truck is up to par. IE glow plugs and relays.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,355
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From: Western NC
Some folks (like me) have a minor idle surging problem at start up when it's really cold. Apparently Ford recommends plugging the truck in if the temps get below 30*F to help alleviate this problem. IMHO, I might as well use it since I got it. Would be kinda dumb not to, I guess. An added benefit will be being able to use your heater more quickly.........
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 424
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From: Northern IL
I have a few GP's that are bad so I use my block heater below 30, but it is on a timer so I do not use a lot of electricity. It turns on about 2.5 hours before I leave for work.
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 632
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From: Fairbanks, Alaska
Originally posted by RedTaurus94
IMHO, I might as well use it since I got it. Would be kinda dumb not to, I guess.
IMHO, I might as well use it since I got it. Would be kinda dumb not to, I guess.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Farm
RedTaurus94 and Crumm in my opinion are both right. if its available plug it in and crumm is defenately right electricity aint cheap but if you go out in the morning say b4 u shower eat breakfast and all that morning junk your oil should pleanty warmed up it only takes about a half hour or 45 min to warm the block all nice and toasty. That saves electrical bill and makes for easier starting.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 632
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From: Fairbanks, Alaska
Rather than going out in the cold you can use a timer. I have one hooked up to my old 75' that I drive to work. The timer turns on the heater's(block, oil, tranny & battery's) two hours before I head for work. You can pick one up at your local hardware store just be sure to get a heavy duty one made for outdoors not one of the cheap living room lamp ones.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,067
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From: Fairbanks Alaska
When its -10 or colder it stays plugged in all night. Either it runs or its plugged in.
A diesel at -40 can't even keeps itself warm without blocking off the grill and sometimes requires blocking the radiator itselt.
A diesel at -40 can't even keeps itself warm without blocking off the grill and sometimes requires blocking the radiator itselt.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
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13hondacr250, i live in fairbanks to and my dad's truck wont start up if not plugged in at -10. Your sapossed to be plugged in at 20 or colder and when it's cold you can tell when people don't plug in their cars because you get blinnded by smoke at traffic lights.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 632
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From: Fairbanks, Alaska
Tyler, By all night past -10 I suppose you mean you plug it in when you goto bed and start it up when you head for work(6-8 hours). That would be affordable and a good idea. What I don't recommend is leaving it plugged in 24-7 the power bill would be astronomical.
As far as keeping it warm at -40 have you checked out Alaska tent & tarp's winter fronts. They go all the way down to the oil pan so that the holes in the bumper are blocked as well as the grill. The other trick is to make sure that the EBPV is working properly but you probably know all about that.
With 13hondacr250, csimmons and me that makes 3 Faribanksan's in this thread alone....cool.
As far as keeping it warm at -40 have you checked out Alaska tent & tarp's winter fronts. They go all the way down to the oil pan so that the holes in the bumper are blocked as well as the grill. The other trick is to make sure that the EBPV is working properly but you probably know all about that.
With 13hondacr250, csimmons and me that makes 3 Faribanksan's in this thread alone....cool.
Last edited by Crumm; Dec 11, 2003 at 09:41 PM.