My 1998 F-150 has a factory engine block heater. I plugged it in last night ( was -5 F here in michigan ) and I went to check on it this morning and noticed no difference between a true cold start and with a block heater in use. Is there any easy way to check if its working? Is it supposed to show a light on the cluster when in use? Is it supposed to maintain temperature enough to register on the temperature gauge? Any info you can provide would be immensely helpful. Thanks all!

 

The only way i know of checking if its working when i plug my truck in is to put your close to the hood as possible you should here a little hissing sound

 

it will not keep the coolant warm enough to show on the gauge.

 

Thanks both for the info. Seems like Ford should put a indicator light on the dashboard signifying the engine block heater is plugged in and functioning, and also a dummy light for those who have a moment of un-thinking and leave it plugged it and attempt to leave.

Thanks!

 

Yeah the only way to know is to listen for it.

 

You can test the block heater with an ohmmeter.
Touch one lead to each flat terminal on the cord plug. If the heater is good you'll have approx 25-30 ohms resistance.

 

Shouldn't you be able to just touch the block and feel the warmth after it has been plugged in overnight?

 

It isn't THAT warm.......especially in -5F temps.

There is no electrical connection between the block heater and the rest of the vehicle's electrical system. It's just a simple resistive heater that sits in the oil pan and gets warm when it's plugged in.

Steve

 

That's right but the heater is usually in the block, not the pan.

 

Well, I went to a friends house this morning (-1 for a temp). He had his truck plugged in all night. I felt the block and there really was a difference in the temp of the block compared to the temp of the air. So, I guess that I would have to disagree with the statement that "It doesn't get THAT warm". If it is a heater...there will be a difference in temp between the block and the temp of the air. Joe

 

the heater in my 97 from factory is a 600 watt heater.its not enough to heat the hole cooling system but will keep it warm enough to start.and the are in 1 of the freeze plugs in the water jacket.i put one on each side and it will move the gauge a little.on my old 75 f250 with a 360 i put 2 1200 watt heaters and it will open the thermastat up.instant heat this way.cost around $60 but worth every dollar

 

I was just thinking about those heaters that plug into the freeze plug holes. Is that what the factory puts in? Not sure if you can buy those anymore. So far no starting problems. Was 14 below last night and 16 below again tonight. Important to keep oil changed in this cold weather. My son lives in northern Ontario and its normal to have 30 below F.

 

I have the same truck with the 4.6. Mine is factory installed, it is where a frost plug would be in the block. Mine is absolutely silent, but you will know if it is working if it spins easily. My truck sat outside from friday night until this monday morning, it never got above zero (Minnesota) At 5:00 this morning I plugged it in and at 8:30 I started it up. Started like it was 40-50 degrees out when the air temp was-24 below. No strange noises, just turn the key and it's running, Sooooooooo much easier on the battery, starter, everything. Within 5 minutes it was starting to blow warm air and the temp gauge was rising. By far the best block heater-engine combo I have ever had. 3 to 4 hours seems to be more than enough time even in the -20-30 below range. I got sick of all the cheap timers not holding up so now I trip the ground fault in the one bathroom which also controls the outside outlets. I plug it in the night b-4 then at 5:00 when I get up I reset the ground fault, which starts the heater. I have a lighted end on the female end of the extension plug so I can look out and confirm that it's a "go". I go out 8:00-8:30, fires right up. Hope you get yours fixed, really is great when working.

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