View Poll Results: Do you use a block heater? Do you pre-heat/idle your 6.0 prior to driving?
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Block heater, How warm should it be?
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Lynden, WA.
Block heater, How warm should it be?
I've thought about putting my block heater on a timer. Just to apply it a couple hours before I get up in the morning. Temps are only in the low 40's nightly here right now. But I figure on less engine run/warm-up time before my work commute. I left it plugged in all night the other night. No movement on the temp guage. All others I've had in the past at least get the engine coolant warm, -above 100° or so.
It takes nearly 20 minutes to get to full operating temp from a cold start whether I use the heater or not. Any hints?
It takes nearly 20 minutes to get to full operating temp from a cold start whether I use the heater or not. Any hints?
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From: Eastern Oregon
It takes nearly 20 minutes to get to full operating temp from a cold start whether I use the heater or not
Oh, and this is without plugging it in.
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From: Lynden, WA.
Tough to keep Rpm's low out of my driveway.
Unfortunately I live on a 55mph rural busy highway. Even with the 6spd, it's difficult to keep R's below 1500 when I pull out. It's safest to get up to speed as soon as possible. Especially if it's a bit foggy. So, yes, my warm up time is at idle in the driveway. I'm looking for a grill block-off mat that snaps in place to limit air flow. That might help too? I was hoping that the block heater would have the temp guage up at least half way when I fire it up.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Rocky Mountains
Before installing my timer, when the heater ran all night, my temp gauge was 1/3-1/2 of the way to normal operating temp. After the timer, running just 2 hours prior to starting, it still takes a few minutes of running to hit the same spot. I just adjusted it tonight to add another hour. We'll see what happens.
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
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Originally Posted by jackofalltrades
I've thought about putting my block heater on a timer. Just to apply it a couple hours before I get up in the morning. Temps are only in the low 40's nightly here right now. But I figure on less engine run/warm-up time before my work commute. I left it plugged in all night the other night. No movement on the temp guage. All others I've had in the past at least get the engine coolant warm, -above 100° or so.
It takes nearly 20 minutes to get to full operating temp from a cold start whether I use the heater or not. Any hints?
It takes nearly 20 minutes to get to full operating temp from a cold start whether I use the heater or not. Any hints?
Use of an engine block heater is strongly recommended if you live in a region where temperatures reach -23° C (-10° F) or below. For best results, plug the heater in at least three hours before starting the vehicle. The heater can be plugged in the night before starting the vehicle. The plug for the block heater is exposed in the front of the vehicle, beneath the grille. Vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine have the plug exposed on the driver side of the vehicle; vehicles equipped with a Diesel engine have the plug exposed on the passenger side of the vehicle.
Hope this helps,
Jeff
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Joined: May 2003
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From: NW Montana
I usually leave mine and my wifes plugged in all night. It doesn't use THAT much power and I don't have to worry about any timer failure or electronic glitches. I have noticed (at least on my '02) that it doesn't get toasty warm but allows the motor to turn over easily. I don't like to leave mine idle for any longer than 10 mins or so because in the early hours it tends to tee off the neighbors because of echo. I have not had the chance to try the '05 yet, but I will within the next 3 weeks since we are leaving here for the frozen north 
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From: Lynden, WA.
Block heater plugged in last night..
I guess it does raise the temp a bit. I left it plugged in all night. I'll try a timer setting that'll give me 3 hours of warming. Anyone know how many amps the heater draws?
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
The heater draws around 8.5 amps. The heater is around a 14 ohm resistive load.
V=I*R ====> 120V/14 = about 8.5 amps
This then equals over 1000 watts of power.
Power = V*I ====> 120V*8.5 = 1020 watts
I use a timer that comes on when the temps get low enough.
V=I*R ====> 120V/14 = about 8.5 amps
This then equals over 1000 watts of power.
Power = V*I ====> 120V*8.5 = 1020 watts
I use a timer that comes on when the temps get low enough.
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Preheat
I plug mine in at 40°F to a timer set to come on about 4 hours before I leave in the morning. My temps at start-up have been about even with the C on the temp gauge. About the only difference I notice is that the engine is not near as noisy when I have it plugged in than if I start it cold.
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From: Lynden, WA.
Preheat
Thank you Mike. I'll be sure to find a timer rated for at least 1500watts then.
Iceman, that's what I guess I'm noticing. There is a rise in the temp needle now that I look at it closer, and yes, there is a definate difference in the sound when firing it up in the morning. Not the cold sound of a hammering diesel.
So, are there any camps out there that wouldn't endorse the use of the block heater below say,... 45 degrees. My brother'n law with a 00' 7.3, was told by the local dealership mechanic not to use his block heater unless it got well below freezing. Any thoughts on that?
And shame on the rest of you that just fire yours up and drive it cold.!!
Iceman, that's what I guess I'm noticing. There is a rise in the temp needle now that I look at it closer, and yes, there is a definate difference in the sound when firing it up in the morning. Not the cold sound of a hammering diesel.
So, are there any camps out there that wouldn't endorse the use of the block heater below say,... 45 degrees. My brother'n law with a 00' 7.3, was told by the local dealership mechanic not to use his block heater unless it got well below freezing. Any thoughts on that?
And shame on the rest of you that just fire yours up and drive it cold.!!
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Spokane WA.
I plug mine in all night when it gets to be under 35 deg.
Any other time I come out start it up, back out of the garage, come back inside and take the morning meds, grab my lunch and a quick bite. grab the coat and out the door. About 5 minutes idle B-4 driving.
Idleing for 5 minutes, I normaly have heat within the first 3 miles.
Pluged in, I have heat before the end of the driveway.
Just a theory here, Better to maintain a temp, rather than to try to reach a temp?
Just a thought.
Any other time I come out start it up, back out of the garage, come back inside and take the morning meds, grab my lunch and a quick bite. grab the coat and out the door. About 5 minutes idle B-4 driving.
Idleing for 5 minutes, I normaly have heat within the first 3 miles.
Pluged in, I have heat before the end of the driveway.
Just a theory here, Better to maintain a temp, rather than to try to reach a temp?
Just a thought.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 203
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From: Ohio
I don't plug mine in till it's below freezing. It's been below freezing a few nites latley, the other morning it was 19 and I didn't plug it in and it started fine just a little bit of smoke at start up. On my 99 7.3L I would just plug it in all nite when it was below freezing. I still let it warm up to thaw the windows and warm the seats. If it's above freezing I don't even worry about it. 40 degrees is warm weather for us in Ohio during the winter. We even drive around with our windows down!!!
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Joined: May 2003
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From: NW Montana
I plug mine in all night when it is supposed to drop below 25 or 30. Much easier starting. I agree with the statement above, it is easier to maintain heat than to make it heat so on that note I try to plug it in right after I have driven it for the last time that day.
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