Block heater timing
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Block heater timing
How long do you plug in your 6.0? It has been single digits here lately. My truck is inside, but not heated. I plugged the block heater in and the lights dim a bit in the garage for a second or so! I ran it overnight Monday, and for an hour Tuesday. The truck still seems like it misses and bangs a bit either way. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Thanks
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Mine also has a horrible miss and generally rough idle for about 45 seconds on a single digit or delow day. I'm only on the second day of block heater use as I just installed the cord and it hasn't been in the singles yet so I can't say that it has helped with how it runs right off. It did seem to turn and start a lot easier though. I almost think the rough idle is a result of the oil in the injectors being too cold to flow properly. The new ficm flash would address that. The manual says block heater needs to be plugged in at least 3 hours before starting for best results. You can plug it in all night but at 3 hours you're only looking at 21 hours of electricity a week. Overnight you're probably looking at over 60 hours of electricity a week.
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Originally Posted by satcom40
what a little electricity I plug in all night no problem
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: bricktown NJ
I have'nt used mine yet not that cold here yet . does it go off when it reaches warm up temp. so keeping it pluged in all night should not matter. only uses elec when needed?? does it have a thermostat built in.( also im going to give keith1984 my elec bill he can figure it out)
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
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Originally Posted by Keith1984
The block heater is only going to heat to a certain point. If it's going to reach that temp in 3 hours then there's no need to run it for 10.
It might only take three hrs for the element to reach what ever temp, but how long will it hold it. I guess what i'm saying is if you leave for work at 5-6am you would have to wake up at 2-3 am to plug your truck up. or plug it up at night and unplug it before going to bed. I dont think it'll still be warm the next morning. I really dont think the differnce in electric cost will ever be seen. But i cold start sure will be heard everytime.
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There's no special electronics to switch it on or off or adjust the heat output. It's just like a soldering iron. You plug it in and it heats up until it gets to as hot as its going to get and stays there until you unplug it. The manual says block heater is required for starting at -20F or below and recommended at -4F. If you live in an area that doesn't really get that cold and you only use it a few times a year then plug it in all night, you won't notice the difference. If you live in an area where you plug it in every day for a couple months of winter then you notice a big difference. I bought a $15 heavy duty outdoor timer. I set what time I want it to turn the electric on and what time to turn it off. It turns on a little over 3 hours before I leave while I'm sleeping.
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Originally Posted by Keith1984
There's no special electronics to switch it on or off or adjust the heat output. It's just like a soldering iron. You plug it in and it heats up until it gets to as hot as its going to get and stays there until you unplug it. The manual says block heater is required for starting at -20F or below and recommended at -4F. If you live in an area that doesn't really get that cold and you only use it a few times a year then plug it in all night, you won't notice the difference. If you live in an area where you plug it in every day for a couple months of winter then you notice a big difference. I bought a $15 heavy duty outdoor timer. I set what time I want it to turn the electric on and what time to turn it off. It turns on a little over 3 hours before I leave while I'm sleeping.
I know what the manual says thats why the first time it drop in the teens i did'nt plug it. Oh the next morning at $am when i started it up i wish i had. It sounded like it was coming apart when it finally started. I put a quart of oil on the porch just for giggles. At 30 degrees it was tring to pour peas out of a straw.
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Originally Posted by exiled
You have it all worked out. Thats good for you.t like a soldering iron as soon as you unplug it it starts to cool down.
I know what the manual says thats why the first time it drop in the teens i did'nt plug it. Oh the next morning at $am when i started it up i wish i had. It sounded like it was coming apart when it finally started. I put a quart of oil on the porch just for giggles. At 30 degrees it was tring to pour peas out of a straw.
I know what the manual says thats why the first time it drop in the teens i did'nt plug it. Oh the next morning at $am when i started it up i wish i had. It sounded like it was coming apart when it finally started. I put a quart of oil on the porch just for giggles. At 30 degrees it was tring to pour peas out of a straw.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Huntington Indiana
I believe the Ford reccommendation is: 32+ 15W40, below that is 10W30 unless you tow.
Using a too heavy of oil will cause misfires/rough running.
Look in your diesel suppliment for the exact specs - as I'm at work.
Using a too heavy of oil will cause misfires/rough running.
Look in your diesel suppliment for the exact specs - as I'm at work.
Last edited by bigredtruckmi; Feb 1, 2007 at 11:54 AM.
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Originally Posted by bigredtruckmi
I believe the Ford reccommendation is: 32+ 15W40, below that is 10W30 unless you tow.
Look in your diesel suppliment for the exact specs - as I'm at work.
Look in your diesel suppliment for the exact specs - as I'm at work.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Staten Island, NY
Just remember, that block heater only heats the engine and what little diesel fuel is sitting in the secondary fuel filter on top of the engine. If its -10 outside then the fuel in the tank and lines is at -10. The HFCM has a fuel heater but it really doesn't do too much for the first minute or two after the engine starts up. Heavy duty diesel equipment designed for use in extreme cold have fuel tank heaters and insulated and heated fuel lines as well as engine heaters. Our block heaters help a lot, but the engine is still going to run a little raggy for the first 30 seconds to a minute after start up until the HFCM can do its job.
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Originally Posted by cratemotor
If using electricity is such a big thing, then you should of bought a gasser.