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6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Block heater on?

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Old Jan 23, 2004 | 05:25 PM
  #1  
BLACK350/6.0L's Avatar
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Block heater on?

How can you tell if the block heater is actually working I cant find any indications on the inside of the cab.. Any cool guy tip to tell if it is working for sure>> What a pain in the butt to find. I had to remove the grill to get it unclipped then had trouble finding a spot to mount it that made sense.. How hard would a positive mount be to incorporate here oh yeah that would be easier on the COLD guy getting home for work trying to find a plug ?? Does anyone have any great tricks or ideas for mounting this cord anywhere? The spot that makes sense is the towhook but I dont want to ziptie it to the toehook in case I need to use it.. talk to you soon!!
 

Last edited by BLACK350/6.0L; Jan 23, 2004 at 05:27 PM.
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Old Jan 23, 2004 | 06:18 PM
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Nope, no indicator. Best way to tell, is time the glow plug squigley at a given outside temp, then the next day, if temps are to be similar, plug it in and time it again. Should be shorter if the BH is functioning.
Yeah everyone is complaining about the block heater plug. Tow hook is the place. Wire tie it there with a pig tale hanging, better than freezing. It's a man's truck. They are supposed to have block heaters! Been nice if Ford had a nice permanent mounting like big rigs, but that is really the least of our worries. I suppose you could go to Kenworth or Mack or..... and buy a mountable outlet. Might even find a suitable place to cut a hole in the valance, or of you are ambitious, the bumper, but is it really worth the trouble? You have to answer that yourself. Good luck!
Lariat
 
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Old Jan 23, 2004 | 06:35 PM
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I found mine right next to the passenger side tow hook nicely tucked behind the bumper.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2004 | 06:51 PM
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If you get a chance take look at the expedition plug there really sweet. I wish ours were like that.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2004 | 01:15 PM
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If you have any doubts about it, check the plug with a resistance meter. I think it should be about 10 ohms.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2004 | 02:18 PM
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I have no clue for you as to whether the block heater is on. But I have a cord hooked up to a timer so I dont run the heater all night long. I have a lighted (LED) plug on the end of the cord so I can tell if the cord has juice to it, this goes between the heater plug and the cord. I just look to see if its lit up and I know that the timer is working and I have juice flowing to the heater plug. Whether the heater is on or not is anybodys guess. Ford should have an indicator light on the heater to show it is working.
I guess a sure way would be to have an engine oil temp gauge and see how hot the oil is when the heater is hooked up.

Does the heater heat the anti=freeze or the engine oil or both?
 
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Old Jan 26, 2004 | 05:08 PM
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Actually you can hear it "sizzle" if its on...You have to listen pretty close but you can hear it. Stick your head up by the passenger side front tire, or under the front of the truck by the passenger side tow hook...Only thing is if you just pulled in, and the truck is warm, you wont be able to..The cooling sounds will mask it. You have to do it after the engine cools down...I usually dont plug mine in until later in the evening..Good luck
 
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Old Jan 26, 2004 | 10:39 PM
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Hey there Ultraclassic, great idea. So simple why didn't I think of that. I went to Wallyworld and bought one for less than ten bucks. Hey Outwest I am curious to what the "sizzle" sound is that u are hearing??? ??? If anyone reading knows it would be good to find out.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2004 | 11:01 PM
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That "Sizzle" is the closest word association I could come up with to describe the sound. It sounds a little bit like water under a pan on a hot element...but quieter. Kind of a sizzle...Sorry thats the best I can do.
 
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