Block Heater?
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Yadkinville, NC
Block Heater?
Do you guys leave your truck plugged in overnight? I'm a vol. firefighter and am very weary of leaving it plugged in unattended. Also on here I have read where some say they can tell it isn't working, how can you tell other than when you first plug it in it makes a bacon frying sound (kinda like that sound anyway)
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: North Central WA
2-3 hours of heater time before starting is really all you need, but if you are using your truck at a moments notice and your temps are near or below freezing then it wont hurt to leave it plugged in all night. You will however pay for it when you get your electric bill, they pull alot of juice. A timer might be a good idea also.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 351
Likes: 1
From: In the Georgia Pines
i remember a few weeks back we had a couple of threads on block heaters causing fires because of using small gauge extenstion cords.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...t=warning+fire
there was another with pics of fires from the block heater shorting out. i'm careful to make sure that i've got everything plugged in correctly. maybe i'm being a bit hypersensitve, but i cant afford to replace my baby. i only use it for 3 hours in the morning and it seems to be fine.
thanks
-mike
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...t=warning+fire
there was another with pics of fires from the block heater shorting out. i'm careful to make sure that i've got everything plugged in correctly. maybe i'm being a bit hypersensitve, but i cant afford to replace my baby. i only use it for 3 hours in the morning and it seems to be fine.
thanks
-mike
More Turbo
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 704
Likes: 2
From: Thousand Oaks, CA
how hot does your truck get when it is plugged in? when i lived in a warmer climate (40* at night) i would go out to start my truck in the morning and the temp gauge would be at the 1/4 mark. now i live in a much colder climate (0* at night) and when i go out to start my truck in the morning the temp gauge barely moves??? the truck starts great with little to know white smoke but i have to wonder if my block heater is going out???
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
I've never noticed my temp gauge rise when it is plugged in. Sean23 it sounds like your heater is working. You can ohm out the element, and the cord. check this post out:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...rting-out.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...rting-out.html
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Union Grove, Wisconsin
When mine is plugged in, I notice the temp. gage reads a little higher than when not plugged in. Plus, just feel the side of your block thru the wheel well and it should feel a little warm.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Somerset, MA
I've got mine set on an outdoor timer ($16 at Lowes) to come on for 2 - 3 hours before I leave in the morning. I'll set it a for a little longer when it's really cold, like this week. Makes all the difference in the world in this weather, I only wish I could plug it in when I'm at work too.....
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Maryland, WVU
do most of you actually hear your heater working?? i have never heard any kind of noise comming from mine, but i know its working because the side of the block will be warm. I leave mine plugged in at work from the time i get there till i leave at the ski resort...its always cold an windy, and its not my power. have noticed a few times lately that even when its plugged in for a few hours it starts harder then when its not even plugged in??
New User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Waterloo, Iowa
i too use an outdoor timer. i have it set for 3 hours before i leave. works perfect. its gotten down to -15 or colder here lately and it does great. my guages doesn't move much because i think the heater can only do so much but it gets it warm enough for a smooth start and warms up faster after startup. i have a heavier guage extension cord just in case. the nice thing about the timer is you can just leave it set for the normal leaving time or the timer is really easy to set if you are going to leave at a different time the next day. as far as leaving on short notice i just live with a really rough start.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
From: Chicago suburbs
I never heard mine working (noise), but the truck starts OK on the coldest mornings. Found out the other day that even though it starts, it does not mean the fuel has not gelled (was -12* or lower). Four miles and it died. After a warm-up (to 0*), it started right up. (And thats even after using 16 oz of Power Service (White bottle) and adding another 16 oz when it died.)
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 669
Likes: 0
From: Idaho City Idaho
Originally Posted by mjlewis
i remember a few weeks back we had a couple of threads on block heaters causing fires because of using small gauge extenstion cords.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...t=warning+fire
thanks
-mike
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...t=warning+fire
thanks
-mike
I had to replace one on my 90 and after i removed the starter it was easy
Keith