Block heater Question?
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Block heater Question?
This is my first winter with my "new" 2001 F-350 Powerstroke. Its been pretty cold here in Michigan the last few nights and I decided to plug her in last night for the first time, temps got down to around 19*. My question is should I see any temp showing on the temp gauge when I go to start it? It seemed to start better/easier then the previous nights but the engine temp gauge still showed cold when I fired it up this morning but the air blowing out of the heater was not ice cold more like almost luke warm. Does this seem like normal to you guys, I just want to make sure the block heater is doing its job.
Thanks for your help and great site!
Thanks for your help and great site!
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Cincy OH
It depends on how cold it is as to how warm the temp quage will read. At 19*, it is very possible that it will move very little. Watch it closely next time, and you should see it move up even slightly. Make sure to leave it plugged in for a while. Also, the real test for proper operation is to see how your guage reads at 30* and up. You should certainly see the guage read to the upper portion of "Cold" during slightly warmer temps. It is very noticeable. Also you can climb under the truck and listen to the heater "Buzz" or "hum" right above the oil filter. Let's you know it working.
Last edited by yellow401; Dec 5, 2006 at 08:47 AM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
It was tough but last night we had single digits and this morning it was 15 but the truck started with a little persuasion. Glowed it twice and cranked a bit. Rough for a few seconds but it is running just fine as we speak
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
I have really never noticed a rise in the temp guage when I started it with the heater plugged in. When it has been reallyu cold up here, what I have been doing is turning the key to start and then go unplug the truck, by the time I have done that the glow plugs have been on for at least 30-40 sec. and it fires up with no problems.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Livingston RV Park
Down here in Louisiana it doesn't get that cold, but I still use me heater. I can see the temp. gauge rise off the "C" when I crank it. Sure feels good to have that warm air in the mornings.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Thanks for all the replies, I will pay real close attention to my temp gauge when I key up tomorrow morning to see if it moves at all.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 26
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From: Michigan
Well I looked at my temp gauge real close this morning and it looks like the temp rose very slightly off the cold mark with the truck plugged in. It moved about the width of the needle from below the "C" mark to on the "C" mark. It was only about 32* last night so it appears that the block heater is working properly. Thanks again.
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