So this is my first winter with a diesel and I am testing the waters.

I plugged in my block heater for the first time tonight and let it heat up for 3 hours. Then I started the truck with the heater on. It still took 2 minutes to get moderately warm air out of the vent. Just wanted to make sure that this is standard.

As far as my water temp gauge, I really should have taken some photos. It was 3/4's of the way from the bottom bar to the next bar up on the line. Once I started it and the coolant began to flow the gauge dropped to halfway between the two lines.

How much more help is a oil pan heater. I am in NE Ohio so it will get cold but not Alaska cold.

Thanks for all the help in advance!

 

That was because the heater element in the rear of the oil cooler heated the water very hot in the immediate area. Once it came to the sensor, the sensor read high, and the gauge jumped up. Once the thermostat opened (if it did), it circulated the water and the temperature evened out.

 

I figured that was why the temp dropped a little. But my real question was this normal. Normal as far as operation.

 

Don't know what the temp was but that is not too bad. Even a gasser will take a few minutes to blow something warm. Just try it without the block heater and ya might as well go have a cup of coffe on a cold day.

 

everything sound like it is normal. in OH you won't need a oil pan heater. put your block heater on a timer for 2 or 3 hours like you did and you are good to go. that what i do in western michigan with no problems

 

Yeah, I know that. We had a few days with mornings in the 20's already. Thank goodnes for remote start. Only problem is I alway for get to turn the heater to defrost on full blast before I get out. Second problem is I am afraid the set the DP to high idle and have it start on that setting. Then if I have to go out in the morning and change the setting (understanding that if it is really cold the ebpv will kick in). Then the remote start was a waste.

 

That what I figured. I wasn't really looking at the oil pan heater as a neccesity, more as just help. Help to warm up faster and such. Plus if I do find myself in Canada or a really bad spell, it is there!

 

That is why I don't have a remote start. I generally go out 30-60 minutes before hand and plug it in, then go back out and start about 5 minutes before I plan to leave. Not as clod here though. If I had a remote starter and a heater timer, I would just start it in the stock or lowest setting and go out about 5 minutes later and you should be good.

 

Those of you that have the timers, do you have a timer that is rated at higher wattage?

I just got a 12 gauge extension cord with light in the end today that is rated at 1875 watts etc...

I was just figuring that I could not use a start hinky timer like I use for christmas lights.

 

Sort of sounds like I was running into this fall!When the temp dropped into the low thirties Bigred would not fire!! Also for some reason my truck did not have a block heater installed!! "bummer" So I got on Ebay and found a 2500 watt tank heater and installed it! You talk about a heater that puppy heats!! Bigred thought he was in FL for petes sake!! Then I got to do some reading on these cold morning starts because before the heater it was hard to start when in the forties! Thought maybe glowplugs were going south but there was quite a bit of talk on the glowplug relay. Well I sprung for a new relay installed and waited for morning! Well she fired on the first cycle! The tank heater will still be nice when she starts to get really cold ! So to make a long story short make sure your GP relay is in good shape!


Smokie

 

I can't remember what the wattage rating is for my timer but it is not just a regular christmas light timer. its an outdoor timer that i believe was rated at about 1500 watts. the block heater is about 1200 watts from what i have heard. i haven't burned down my garages where my heater is plugged in so it is working so far.