Anybody use one? If so I am interested in your comments, utility, do you notice any real pre-warming and how you remember to unplug it before you dirve off .

Also do you plug it in all night ?

Thanks

 

Block heaters do work.

I have block heaters on my Bronco and Pathfinder. The Bronco sits out and I plug it in if its going down below "0"F. (-9 here this week) I've had them for years. If the expy sat out it would have one also. Been thinking of adding one for security.

Plug it in all night. You can't just plug it in for an hour and expect it to be toasty.

As far as knowing you have to unplug it. If you have a big yellow cord coming out of your truck, you know somethings needs to be addressed.

Between the block heater and the syn oil we never have the problems we had in the "old days".

One last comment, with the fuel injection cars and trucks now have. You do not want to flood them. Takes forever to dry them out.

Block heaters are a good investment if you live where it really gets cold.

 

On the tractors with block heaters that we have, we always loop the extension cord it is plugged into over the handle or mirror on the cab...makes it harder to get in and drive away plugged in.

As a sidenote, you should always unplug before starting the truck. If an air bubble happens to pass the little heater element, it can burn up the element very rapidly.

 

FarmLaw has a great idea. but if your cord is like mine and barely reaches becaue I want to keep it short for effeciency, just close your driver's door on a piece of scrap paper so it sticks outside. You'll see it when you start to drive off if you forget it's plugged in.

 

Hey Farmlaw: I've seen your posts and you seem to know what you're talking about (that means I usually agree with you!).

I was interested in your post about unplugging before starting the truck. I really like using my remote starter from the kitchen so I only have to go out once. But if that's going to burn out my block heater, I guess I need to install a switched outlet.

On the other hand, the Ford block heater instructions don't mention this, and it really doesn't seem that much air would be present. Can you tell me more?

 

Updating in hope of reply.

 

Sorry I didn't get back sooner...

I had never heard of it until about 3 years ago when I tried to start a diesel tractor in the dead of winter. Knowing that I had to start it the following day, I dutifully plugged it in. The next morning, I went to start it and it wouldn't start. Finally, after much to-do and a shot of ether, it cranked to life. I ascertained that the block heater had failed, after some investigation. This greatly surprised me, since I'd never seen such a thing before. In ordering a new heater, I spoke with the company that made the heater (they were significantly cheaper than the local Case IH dealer) and talked about the failure; they agreed it was rare. They asked if I unplug before I start, and I said no...traditionally, I would plug in a tractor, let it warm, then start it and let it run for a few minutes, and then unplug it and use it. They said that air bubbles that get sent through the cooling system can cause the heater element part of the block heater to become covered by air, instead of coolant...and that even a brief period of air can cause the element to "burn up." They said that even having bubbles in the coolant pass over the element was very hard on it. Normally, the block heater is low enough in the engine that, when the engine is not running, the heater remains covered in coolant. But starting the engine causes the coolant (and air trapped therein) to circulate.

I haven't conducted any testing to confirm what they said, but it does seem to make some sense...and they're the experts, not me. As such, I have modified my practices to avoid having any engine plugged in and running at the same time.

I suppose if you wanted to modify your practices, you could either use a switched outlet, or just put the block heater on a timer that shuts off a bit before you start the engine.

 

Thanks for the reply!

I think I can take the risk of leaving it plugged in. While their explanation makes some sense, it could also be the excuse that an individual came up with. Having sold industrial equipment, I know that most engineers can't just say, "S--- happens". And these coils do burn out somewhat like light bulbs, particularly if it was a cheaper brand.

Additionally, your tractor probably didn't have the overflow bottle. One of their functions is to keep air out of the radiator (aerated coolant is more corrosive). I believe that most air has been expelled out of our semi-closed cooling systems. I think its unlikely that a bubble could uncover the element for long. Or maybe I'm too lazy to add a switch to the circuit! Well, we're buying a new house soon and I'm not likely to improve this one much.

Thanks again!