When do you use your block heater?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Mid Michigan
Fred if you plug it in the wall socket it should spark a little because its somethink like a 1000 watt hair drier thats turned on, it will also do this when unplugging. If that doesnt wok once plugged put you head inside the wheelwell on the driver side and you should hear it, sounds like a coffee pot purclating. If that dont work do a continuity test with a multi meter and it should beep if all is correct, if not something wrong. Mine wasnt working and the plug end was bad on my cord but the heater was fine. I just replaced the end by cutting it off and addind a new extension an actually routing it up by the driver battery to keep it out of the weather.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Plano Texas
Originally Posted by fred e
Is there a way to check if the block heater is working? I plugged mine the other night and I couln't tell that it helped any.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Mid Michigan
Originally Posted by CHPMustang
If you can shimmy under the drivers side of the engine(this is for 7.3L) just above the oil filter is a Heavy gauge red plug connected to the block,the metal casting behind the plug should be hot if the block heater element and cord is okay.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 217
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From: NH
Originally Posted by luvemhot
My 1990 F250 Pre PSD that has more than 900,000 miles. I would pulg it in at about midnight and unplug at about 5:30am and it has been about -10 in the morings, I would start when it gets around 35
My 1999 PSD, I am doing the same but i was not smart enough to think of a timer, guess i am going to get one
My 1999 PSD, I am doing the same but i was not smart enough to think of a timer, guess i am going to get one
LUVEMHOT, did you get 700K out of your first motor, what if any major work done to it
Last edited by dunbar15; Dec 26, 2005 at 07:31 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: NH
Another reason to use a block heater on cold mornings, I believe it will add life to your motor. Alot of engine wear happens during startup of cold motors..
Anyone agree / disagree with that, I'm no diesel tech..
Just my .02c
Anyone agree / disagree with that, I'm no diesel tech..
Just my .02c
Elder User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 582
Likes: 0
From: Refugio, Texas
Originally Posted by cangim
I agree, alot easier, I use a time on mine as well, mainly if there is a possibility of frost, as I do no like scraping windows.
NOT NEEDED IN SOUTH TEXAS
BUT I DID NOT KNOW THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK HEATER WOULD ALSO KEEP ICE FROM FORMING ON THE WINDOWS SO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO SCRAPE THEM.