Hi folks.
I'm having a problem. My work truck, after being parked for the last few months, will not start. It is not turbo charged, not that it matters, and my glow plugs are obviously not working. Before I burn out my starter, I want to install a block heater. Can any body tell me where the block heater is installed? I'm not into the dip stick or coolant hose heater things, I'm going for a REAL block heater. What kind of price am I looking at and what kind of time am I looking at to install it? I'm looking at a block heater because I need to replace my glow plug wiring harness, which as I've found out is only available from the dealer, and will run my almost $400 for the part itself. While I'm at it, I figure I'll replace the relay.
Thanks.

 

If you have a NAPA close by they usually have several in stock.

Depending on how cold it gets where you are, get either a 1000 watt or a 1500 watt if it gets real cold.

What year motor do you have?

 

Install it right above the starter. Its the most common place. If the temp hit -20 then its probably wise to go with a 1500 watt block heater. Not sure on the price.

 

I picked up a block heater at NAPA for $40+tax (1000 watt). It installs on the rear/passenger side freeze plug. You have to drain the coolant first, and the starter. Good time to flush and put in fresh coolant and SCA and replace the coolant hoses if old.

Took me a few hours. The hoses were original and lower one was a real booger to get off. Flushing the system was a real pain with the temp in the low 20's - took a looong time. Be careful to not over or under tighten the heater into the block - follow directions carefully.

I had first tried a dipstick heater - totally worthless and the element pulled out about 10 days after install when I tried to put it out of the block in single digit weather. I got NAPA to take it back and credit me toward the block heater.

 

To get the engine warm right away without doing all the work of replacing the block heater, put a halogen lamp under the engine for a couple of hours.

 

I just installed the Napa 1000 Watt unit yesterday. I was able to get to the old block heater by just removing the large power cable to the starter, Be sure to disconect the Ground cables before you put ant tools near the starter feed.

I have found a that good cold starting aid in case others fail is a dirty ecetalene flame from a torch held right over the intake plenam. Remove the Aircleaner and housing then while you or a friend cranks the engine let it pull the flame right into the plenam and into the cylinders. On the farm we have an OC4 crawler and a 1555 oliver that
actualy have Plugs in the intakes for just such Proceedures. We also have success with a propain torch but find the ecetalene flame to be very good also. This has got me started several times with a non turbo motor before I replaced all glow plugs in the truck. Some of our older tractors also have Glow elements in the intakes that actualy light diesel and burn a flame in the intake prior to and during cold starts.

Any and All Disclamer ever penned or thought of by man or beast apply to the above.

I have even used a jumper wire to activate the starter while holding the torch on the intake.


Ken in Central NY

Mighty Pre-94 7.3 N/A,