Block heater
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New User
Joined: Aug 2007
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Block heater
I only drive my truck(diesel 6.0) but once a week if that in the winter and I am wondering if I should just leave the truck plugged into the block heater ALL the time? or just at night? I just didnt know whether or not leaving it plugged in all the time is a bad thing? And any other things I could do to keep it from a deep freezing. I live in Salt Lake City Utah.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,103
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From: AB/BC
The block heater will have the coolant as warm as it will get in 3-4hrs.Alot of people I know here in alberta plug the heater into a timer so it isnt drawing power the whole night. Set the timer to turn on 3 or so hours before starting the truck.As for leaving it plugged in it wont hurt anything but you may find that critters will make a home on your 6.0.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,366
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From: Northern Utah
No problem leaving the truck unplugged while it sits. When you do plan to drive it, plug it in about 4 hours before you start it up and you'll be ready to roll
Last edited by utahtom; Dec 22, 2007 at 08:16 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 106
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From: surrey,bc,canada
If it has been freezing all night, I like to plug into my truck's heater for two hours prior to start up. This alows the oil to warm up enough, which enables the oil to more freely coat the various internal parts of the engine at a quicker interval. This also provides easier starting with the diesel engine.
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
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I also plug my heater into a timer that comes on about 3 to 4 hours before I plan on starting it. I did purchase an oil pan heater and tied both cords into one plug that I connect via an extension cord to the timer in my garage. Seems to work pretty good and the truck fires right up even on the coldest nights.
Just my .02 cents, and I might be a bit **** about my stuff...
Just my .02 cents, and I might be a bit **** about my stuff...
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From: surrey,bc,canada
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Austin, TX
Not sure if this follows the thread truly or deserves it's own, but here goes. I just bought a power cord for my block heater and read it out like the paper said to do, I am getting 15.6 OHMs but after 3-4 hours when I start my truck my temp needles barely move. Am I expecting to much from the block heater or is there something wrong?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 18
From: Henderson, NV
Originally Posted by orionife
Not sure if this follows the thread truly or deserves it's own, but here goes. I just bought a power cord for my block heater and read it out like the paper said to do, I am getting 15.6 OHMs but after 3-4 hours when I start my truck my temp needles barely move. Am I expecting to much from the block heater or is there something wrong?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
block heaters
I have an 03 6.0 PSD, if I dont plug mine in it barely wants to run when I start it in the morning, (20deg F. in the am) when it does get going it leaks coolant at the right rear of the engine. If however I do plug it in it starts right off and doesnt leak a drop of coolant. I cant make this make sense in my mind... Any ideas?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 990
Likes: 1
From: North Pole Alaska
If it doesn't want to run at +20'F something is wrong with it. I plug in @ -10'F and my truck runs great. It will start at -30F but it will run rough for a few minutes.
Originally Posted by embry1123
I have an 03 6.0 PSD, if I dont plug mine in it barely wants to run when I start it in the morning, (20deg F. in the am) when it does get going it leaks coolant at the right rear of the engine. If however I do plug it in it starts right off and doesnt leak a drop of coolant. I cant make this make sense in my mind... Any ideas?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,196
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From: Arizona
Originally Posted by embry1123
I have an 03 6.0 PSD, if I dont plug mine in it barely wants to run when I start it in the morning, (20deg F. in the am) when it does get going it leaks coolant at the right rear of the engine. If however I do plug it in it starts right off and doesnt leak a drop of coolant. I cant make this make sense in my mind... Any ideas?
The coolant leak is more than likely the rubber hose on the EGR cooler, it shrinks and leaks when cold, then swells and seals when warm. There is an updated hose for this, have it changed and your leak should stop.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 359
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From: Oklahoma
block heater
Thanks for the input, I will be taking it in in the next few days for the hose and the flash, (the most recent flash was done in 04 on this truck) Also, I am running 30wt rotela I believe.