I was wondering if there is anyway of testing a block heater to see if its working. I've been plugging my truck in on a timer so it comes on for 3 hours before I want to use it in the morning. I'm not sure if its working well. It seems to start the same whether i plug it in or not. Can you test the heater for continuity at the plug?? Any information would be helpful. It always starts even this morning with sub zero temps plus wind chill. I'm glad I put new batteries in it though have to crank it quite a bit to fire it up.

 

if it is quiet where you are, you can hear the block heater after it is plugged in for a few. it sounds something like an old percolator coffee pot. hen i plug mine in, if i do it rite, i can hear the power "snap" when contact is made between the plug and extension cord.
the most common failure on the block heaters is the actual plug itself.
the heater and wire are good, it just needs a new plug.

 

Actually when I got the truck the plug for the engine heater was in the center console inside the truck. The wire was hanging down with bare ends. I put a new plug on it. I assumed the middle wire was ground and I didn't think with ac power it matter on the other two wires. Maybe I wire something wrong. Although I figured if I wired it wrong it would trip a breaker when I plugged it in. How long do is a good amount of time to plug it in. Most people I talk to say 3 hours. I might try plugging it in longer.

 

First make sure the BH red power plug is in the BH, then do a continuity test with a meter on the main plug wires at the grill. If there is no continuity check the wires for breaks just behind the 120V plug. Pull on the wires and you can see the break as the shielding gets smaller, cut off the end. If the 2 power wires now have continuity through the BH just replace the 3 prong plug.

 

whenever i plug mine in it is at least overnight. there have been times that i have plugged it in, then did not use the truck, and forgot to unplug it. thing has sat for weeks nice and toasty warm waiting for me.

the upside to leaving it plugged in for at least 8 hours is the battery maintainer that is hooked up charges the batteries with the block heater. i use a multi plug extension cord to go through the grill, and the block heater is plugged into the extension under the hood with the battery maintainer.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...76&postcount=4

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. A couple weeks ago I checked the cord that plugs into the bh. I unplugged it and cleaned the terminals. I then plugged it back in and I can hear it working now. I don't know if its running at 100% but it seems to be enough to help on the cold mornings. Which we surprisingly haven't had many of this winter so far. I think only 1 or 2 below zero mornings. Thats unusual for Feb. in Maine...

 

yup. the average daytime temp here in jersey this year has been 40-50º,with a few 60-70º days here and there, and only 3 snow dustings so far.

 

Snow?? What is this snow you speak of??? IIRC we have had 3 snowfalls. 2 were real and one was a dusting. The real ones were about 3 inches and 1 inch respectively.

 

nope no snow so far, only 3 dustings.a 3 inch, a 1 inch and a few flakes. not even enough to put the plows on.
but it was enough for all the city slicker idiots to play demo derby.

 

goto ebay and type in "block heater tester" and you will find suppliers of the block heater status devices.

mr kelowna

 

my haynes book says to use a drop light with the bulb on plug your truck into it and the light will dim its tried and trued worked on mine.

 

Every one I have ever plugged in and that is lots will spark and you can hear it and see it at night.
I might use a drop light to test it but I wouldn't use it to leave it plugged in they are not heavy enough.
Even at tenps way below 0 we just plug them 2 hours in advance they drive the electric bill up substancially.

 

mrkelowna,
Welcome to FTE and the IDI diesel forum.


Snow, you want to see some?
Come on over, we have plenty.

Almost time to go out and make the rounds checking my lots.

12 hours plowing yesterday.

 

use an ohm meter on it , besides testing the element for contonuity see if there is continuity between the power poles on the plug and the ground
if there is continuity the element is going bad and that continuity can cause cooling system issues through eletrolysis