Hi Folks,

I am thinking about buying a 200 f 250 with a 7.3. I am wondering do you have to plug in the block heater when it is zero or below or is it just a good idea. Thanks very much in advance.

 

If the batteries and glow plug system are in good operating condition you shouldn't ever have to plug it in....but it sure makes life easier when you do. I plug mine in for a few hours in the morning anytime it's going to be below freezing.

It's nice to be able to jump in and crank it up with the heater already blowing warm.

 

if your glow plug system is working correctly you will not have to plug it in. mine started at -15 this morning because i forgot to plug it in but i ususally plug it in if it gets below freezing. it will let you know its not happy starting when its that cold out and it is easier on the engine when you plug it in because it thins the oil to get to small areas quicker. i have mine on a timer that starts 3 hours before i leave so it is not taking electricity all night. it will not make any more of a difference if it is plugged in for more than 3 hours. they will draw about 1000 watts and the heater in the cab will warm up the truck quicker

 

I plug mine in whenever they predict 25 degrees or colder. It starts just fine down to about 10 above without the heater but it's easier on the motor and starter, helps fuel mileage a bit and gets the cabin up to a comfy temp quicker on those cold mornings.

 

I plug mine in when it's 20 or colder, its on a timer, comes on at 4:00am - 7:00am. Works great - truck fires right up.

 

Thanks for all the replys. It is going to be zero in Ohio tonight and was just wondering

 

Just something to think about. I have a customer that drive rigs for a living. He tells me he always plugs the truck in. I almost aways plug mine in if it's below 30. All you need to do is listen to if it's been pluged are not. The hammering can't be good !!!!Do you and your engine a treat plug it in. It cant cost that much in elect. You can bet mine is plug in now -5 in Coloardo tonight..

 

i plug it in if the weatherguesser says it will be below zero
no problems with this method
I am by no means an expert

 

plug mine in when its 32 or lower

 

Ditto

Hanklin

 

i guess my glow plug system is good. it is 8* out and i just went out to my truck and let the glow plugs run once, and 5 seconds of cranking and she fired right up. sure she didnt like it but i made her do it anyway. 30-45 secs of blue smoke and now i can hear her purring smoothly on high idle.

 

I usually plug mine in when it gets below 30 degrees. I know it will start when it is 10 degrees below zero without the block heater working, it just doesn't like it.

 

I plug in when it turns to single digits out. Other than that I dont plug it in all the time. That heater sucks some house power too!!!

 

According to Ford, 10 below is the lowest the truck will start without being plugged in. I will plug mine in if it gets down to the single digits, but that is rare around here.

 

Do any of you guys get the ' romp ' sound on the cold mornings?

It was realy cold her this mornign. 4 degrees

I had to try to start about 6 times before it caught.