Block Heater
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Block Heater
Where can I find out how to change out the block heater on my 01 power stroke? I have seen it before but can't seem to find it now. Where would be the best place to find a replacement one as I am positive that mine does not work at all? Had my truck plugged in all day and there is still frost around the heater. Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
From: Chicago suburbs
The way I find out if the heater is working is when I pull out the plug, you get a spark. When plugging it in, the lights dim in the neighborhood (JK, but it does dim my lights slightly in the garage). Starts up better in the cold when plugged in. It -4*F right now (was almost +50*F yesterday evening) and I will find out how my 8 yr old batteries are holding up.
Sorry I do not know how to replace the heater, but someone will pop up with advice.
Dave..
Sorry I do not know how to replace the heater, but someone will pop up with advice.
Dave..
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Its just above the oil filter, mine just did the some thing but as I was about to take it out I discovered that it was just the cord. Must be the moisture or something caused it to burn where it screws on to the heater itself.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 0
From: SE Wisco
To replace heater:
- Wrap new heater from NAPA ($50, but you can find them cheaper other places probably. I never looked) with Tef-Tape*
- Get wrenches ready for BOTH heaters (sometimes they are different if different brands)*
- Unscrew old heater*
- Screw in new heater quickly as coolant will be splashing down on you.*
- Tighten tight but not too tight.*
- Run cord. (You can do this in the beginning too. If you do it in the beginning you will probably find a bad spot in the cord and you replaced the heater for nothing. This seems common to many around FTE)
*NOTE: This is not an FTE approved method for changing the block heater. A true FTE member would buy $200 worth of fancy no water, no silicone coolant. Drain the entire system. Dry everything with a blow drier to be sure all old coolant was out. Flush. Repeat drain and dry. Follow steps above. Then replace with new, "better" coolant.
- Wrap new heater from NAPA ($50, but you can find them cheaper other places probably. I never looked) with Tef-Tape*
- Get wrenches ready for BOTH heaters (sometimes they are different if different brands)*
- Unscrew old heater*
- Screw in new heater quickly as coolant will be splashing down on you.*
- Tighten tight but not too tight.*
- Run cord. (You can do this in the beginning too. If you do it in the beginning you will probably find a bad spot in the cord and you replaced the heater for nothing. This seems common to many around FTE)
*NOTE: This is not an FTE approved method for changing the block heater. A true FTE member would buy $200 worth of fancy no water, no silicone coolant. Drain the entire system. Dry everything with a blow drier to be sure all old coolant was out. Flush. Repeat drain and dry. Follow steps above. Then replace with new, "better" coolant.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 0
From: SE Wisco
I did mine using the above method. No draining. Be sure to leave the cap on as this is like pouring gas from the gas can w/o taking the vent cap off. It will drain MUCH slower.
To check the block heater I would:
1 - Take DMM (Digital Multimeter) set on Ohms and place leads on the two flats on the cord. It should read around 14 or 15 ohms. If 15, you win! Your block heater works. If 0 or far less than 14 go to step 2.
2 - Place DMM leads on each pin on block heater (it is located just above the oil filter). It should read around 14 or 15 ohms. If 15, you win! Your block heater is good, but your cord most likely has an issue. If not 14 or 15 ohms go to step 3.
3 - Inspect cord for major damage. If no major damage go to step 4.
4 - Find a buddy. Plug UNPLUGGED electric cord into block heater. Go under truck w DMM on 120 volts. Place leads in holes and have buddy plug it in. If you get 120v you don't really win! If you get less than 120 v you win a bit more. You can just get a new cord for the heater! (The bad news is the cord is only ten dollars cheaper than the whole heater assembly. Buy both and leave the heater sit for when that goes out.) I am not sure this step is necessary, but it is fun to try and zap yourself w 120.
To check the block heater I would:
1 - Take DMM (Digital Multimeter) set on Ohms and place leads on the two flats on the cord. It should read around 14 or 15 ohms. If 15, you win! Your block heater works. If 0 or far less than 14 go to step 2.
2 - Place DMM leads on each pin on block heater (it is located just above the oil filter). It should read around 14 or 15 ohms. If 15, you win! Your block heater is good, but your cord most likely has an issue. If not 14 or 15 ohms go to step 3.
3 - Inspect cord for major damage. If no major damage go to step 4.
4 - Find a buddy. Plug UNPLUGGED electric cord into block heater. Go under truck w DMM on 120 volts. Place leads in holes and have buddy plug it in. If you get 120v you don't really win! If you get less than 120 v you win a bit more. You can just get a new cord for the heater! (The bad news is the cord is only ten dollars cheaper than the whole heater assembly. Buy both and leave the heater sit for when that goes out.) I am not sure this step is necessary, but it is fun to try and zap yourself w 120.
Last edited by sflem849; Jan 30, 2008 at 08:37 AM.
Trending Topics
Smokin
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,849
Likes: 0
I would look for freys and maybe try splicing in a new end before I went through the trouble of replacing the entire cord.
Also check your outlet to make sure its working and troubleshoot your extension cord.
Also check your outlet to make sure its working and troubleshoot your extension cord.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 39
Originally Posted by HRSHAULER
Thanks guys for your response. I did check my heater and it is bad, reads nothing on my meter. Have a new one ready but not so sure I want to do this with snow flying and the wind blowing.
I just have a hard time believing that these heaters burn out. It appears that some people have had this happen, but I would put my money on the cord in 95% of the cases. Just trying to save you from a nasty repair job out in the blowing snow.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,267
Likes: 5
Mine's been starting "cold" lately, even plugged in, is the block heater shot?
its -40, and still starts, so obviously it is working at least a little, but it seems like it used to start easier when plugged in.
When these block heater 'go', do they just not work anymore? or do they slowly stop working?
its -40, and still starts, so obviously it is working at least a little, but it seems like it used to start easier when plugged in.
When these block heater 'go', do they just not work anymore? or do they slowly stop working?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I thought that mine was working but until I crawled underneath and felt around the heater after it had been plugged in and it was still ice cold I knew that mine was toast.
I replaced mine today, that was not fun, not hard just not that much fun in the snow with coolant going everywhere.
Thanks for your help guys.
I replaced mine today, that was not fun, not hard just not that much fun in the snow with coolant going everywhere.
Thanks for your help guys.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: germantown, WI
alrite one more question can you feel by where the heater element is plugged and and if it warm you know its working or wont you be able to feel it. i dont have a plug tester so i cant do it like that.. also i tried listening but i duno if a distinct hummm you'll hear or what.. just wondering if you can feel somewhere to see if its warm or not