My F-350 6.0L has a block heater and I need some advice on using it. The manual says the heater is required at -20F, but should I use it when it gets to like 30F outside anyways? Also, someone told me that if I start to use the block heater the computer will get acclimated to it and the truck will always want the heater to be pluged in during "cold" weather. I need some advice on this one!! Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[img]images/smilies2/wink2.gif[/img]I always plug in at 25 or lower and depending if the truck is inside or out as to time needed. I use a timer and vary it according to temp. At 0 degrees I plan on 3 hrs if inside or - outside 4 or more depending on wind. Wind just sucks the heat out of the block. Just listen to your engine on startup and if it mones and clangs then extend the time. Done it this way for years but I know what time I'm going to be leaving for the morning.

The truck senses what the cylinder temp is each time it starts, for the glow plugs- so don't worry about that.

 

I can't address whether a truck gets used to a heater or not, although IMO it will not.

When I had a cord on my 03 (my 05 is still 'cordless'), I would plug it in, and put it on a timer, when temp was going to be 30f or below. Set the timer to come on 1-3 hours prior to my time to leave and it was good. There were times when I didn't, for various reasons, and it would still start fine. After I get to work, there isn't a way to plug it in, so even on COLD days, it sits for minimum of 8 hours, and more often 9-12. Again, no problems with starting.

The only reason I did this was to accelerate warm up. A possible added benefit is less time to fully lubricate engine, but that didn't really enter into it. My truck sat outside, So I had frost/ice/snow on my windshield. It takes a loooong time to warm up 15 quarts of oil and whatever amount of antifreeze these trucks hold (anyone know what they hold?).

The cost of plugging it in didn't enter into my thinking. I know, there IS a cost, it just wasn't (and still isn't) enough to enter into my decision making process. I just didn't want to freeze halfway to work and have to look through a small hole clear of frost on the windshield.

 

It can't detect cylinder temperature persay, but it does self-adapt to Engine oil temperature, intake air temperature, and engine coolant temperature readings.

 

So, if I live somewhere with free electricity, are there any drawbacks to leaving it plugged in all night?
It's in the 40's in the morning and I'm cold, not my truck.

 

Not that I know of....I have left mine plugged in for 48 hours and more at a time. After about a day the engine will heat-soak almost up to full operating temperature.

 

No, last winter I left my plugged in 24x7 and usually only drove it on the weekends without any problems.

 

Perfect. No more cold drives to work.

 

Last winter I had great success at and below 30 degrees with a timer coming on 3 hours before I wanted to start the engine. Like many will say, at that temperature, it's not needed. But, the engine does sound smoother, starts easier, and warms up quicker. I always pre-warm my engine before hitting the highway. I hope to help it last by doing so. I'm more worried about brittle metal in reciprocating parts than how the engine idles when cold.

Diesels come with block heaters. I figure they're there to be used.

-Steve