Block heater for dummies....
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 764
Likes: 1
From: Gulfport/Biloxi, MS
Block heater for dummies....
This truck is the first diesel I have ever owned, so the concept of an engine block heater is new to me. I bought it in warmer months and assumed that since I live in south Mississippi I would never need to use it. We have had a few 20 or so degree days lately and its got me thinking. What does the temp have to be before you need to use it? Why do these trucks need them, but gas engines dont? Also, what kind of damage could I be doing if I dont use it and I should be? I do have remote start and do start it and let it run for atleast 10min before I drive it, if that helps any
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 289
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From: Va. Beach, VA
Good question and would like to see a reasonable answer myself. We don't get much drastic weather here in the mid-Atlantic either, but it has been down in the teens several nights this month. What is the mark, and is it a simple matter of just plugging it in?
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
The "block heater" directly heats up the coolant in the block. With a warm block, the engine starts faster, easier, and runs quieter from the very beginning. Your cab will also heat up more quickly, making the ride to work (or wherever) a little more comfortable a little sooner.
I typically use mine every time it's going to get down to 30°F or below. The few times I haven't used it on those cold days, I can really notice a big difference. The engine seems a whole lot more sluggish pulling out of the driveway without having used the heater. I also have a 15amp outdoor timer to minimize electricity costs, setting it up to start and run the heater about 3 hours before I'm going to leave the house. The timer will pay for itself in a couple of years as little as I use it, but in very cold climates it can pay for itself within one winter.
Hope this helps.
I typically use mine every time it's going to get down to 30°F or below. The few times I haven't used it on those cold days, I can really notice a big difference. The engine seems a whole lot more sluggish pulling out of the driveway without having used the heater. I also have a 15amp outdoor timer to minimize electricity costs, setting it up to start and run the heater about 3 hours before I'm going to leave the house. The timer will pay for itself in a couple of years as little as I use it, but in very cold climates it can pay for itself within one winter.
Hope this helps.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 351
Likes: 1
From: In the Georgia Pines
we've had some cold nights down here in Georgia, and a good rule of thumb is 2 to 3 hours. i cant tell a difference after 2 hours myself. i have mine on a timer and the last couple of nights i havent used it and i can really tell a big difference in how this beast starts in the morning.
some folks run a lighter weight oil in the winter (5w-40 syn) vs 15w-40 to aid in easier cold weather starts. i run 15w-40 year round and now i'm thinking about next winter changing out to 5w-40 and seeing what happens.
but to answer your question if the weather is above 0 i'd plug it in for 3 hours. i know that some of our memebers who live in Alaska and Canada (the Great White North) leave it plugged in all night.
hope this helps.
-mike
some folks run a lighter weight oil in the winter (5w-40 syn) vs 15w-40 to aid in easier cold weather starts. i run 15w-40 year round and now i'm thinking about next winter changing out to 5w-40 and seeing what happens.
but to answer your question if the weather is above 0 i'd plug it in for 3 hours. i know that some of our memebers who live in Alaska and Canada (the Great White North) leave it plugged in all night.
hope this helps.
-mike
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Airdrie Alberta
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
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From: North of Greenville
I just went to 5w40 synthetic, and have noticed a substantial reduciton in engine clatter. It is also running smoother overall. Given the 40 weight component in the oil, I'm currently planning on running the 5w40 year round. I'll be getting my first 5K oil analysis in about a month.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 803
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From: Bobcaygeon Ont.
These guys are all right on the block heater. As for gas vs diesel. Gas has a lower flash point than diesel and also has a spark to fire it. They also have a much lower compresion ratio than diesel allowing them to roll over easier. Yes diesels have glow plug but when its really cold it still has a hard time of firing the fuel and the engine isn't cranking as fast. This is partly due to the thicker oil we normally run. I to switched to synthetique this year and it made one hell of a differance. Thats my thoughts on it anyway. As these guys said buy a timer (i have 1 also) and plug it in on those cooler nights. Its so much easier on the engine! Hope this helps Lance
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 743
Likes: 2
From: MI -- farmboy
I only use my block heater when its less than 25 degrees out. I used to use a timer and ran it for about 3 hours before I had to leave, but now, my schedule varies a lot, so it just stays plugged in, as long as its 25 or colder. I also keep the nose out of the wind. The local hardware sells adjustable thermostat outlets, probly for heat tape or lamps. A guy could get one and set it for 25 or 30 degrees and plug that into a timer. That would be about as efficient as you could get.
I know how much a heater runs up the electric bill. Mine is normally $100 a month, with the hen house lamp, heated water bowls, stock tank de-icer and truck all plugged in, my last bill was over $350.
I know how much a heater runs up the electric bill. Mine is normally $100 a month, with the hen house lamp, heated water bowls, stock tank de-icer and truck all plugged in, my last bill was over $350.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, MO
To answer your remote start question, other than the warming up the truck for comfort, there's really no need to let it sit and warm up. Once the truck fires and idle stablizes after a bit (30 seconds or so), the best thing you can do is drive gently. That will put more heat in the engine than just sitting at idle.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Midway Ky
ford has the best pre ignition system (glow plugs) there is.... i have been told that a ford will start until 0 degrees without plugging it in. i live in central kentucky and have never plugged it in and it has started when it was below 0 degrees (14 below was the coldest) without any trouble... from my experience with fords the higher the mileage on the truck the more likeley you are to have to plug them in... i have seen some that have 250,000 - 300,000 miles that wont start below 30 degrees without plugging them in. my 2 cents would be that it is up to each person and based on the mileage on the truck. as to letting them run that is also personal choice... when it is cold i let mine run for 30 minuets to an hour before i leave the house... it just depends on how often you want to put fuel in the tank...
stephen
stephen