hi, new to this forum & diesels, i have a 93 F350 7.3 idi non turbo flatbed dually. This truck is hard to start when cold, i know that i should plug it in but i'm pretty sure my block heater dosen't work. i had asumed that it was a oil heater ( in the pan ) but have recently been told that it is a coolant heater. so the question is , which is it? thanks

 

We need more info?? Where does the power cord run to?? I ask because they'r are several different types of block heaters.

 

It will have a frost plug heater above the starter. Most oil pan heaters you would find on a 7.3 would be a stick on pad on the oil pan. That would be an add on. You should have between 20 and 30 Ohms across the plug end.....Don

 

OK, I just climbed under the truck to trace plug wire, traced it to the starter where I found a 3 prong (red) female plug that was attached to nothing, just hanging in the air. this truck has a rebuilt engine, i could see the new shiney freeze plugs, apparently when the new engine was installed they decided to eleminate the heater. I want to install one, went on the net & found a heater with a thermostate that is installed in the lower radiator hose, is anyone familiar with these?

 

They tend to be a little hard on the Rad hose. It is simpler to install, but the frost plug heater is a better long term answer. It all depends how much you need it, my truck needs to be plugged in from Nov to April. If you only see a few cold days, go for it.....Don

 

go to Ford and buy the real thing...I just got one (replacement) it was like $50...you will have to take the starter down and get the feeze plug that the butchers put in there for you

 

me Micky C,
Welcome to FTE and the IDI diesel forum.

 

To my understanding, it is a coolant heater, thus a "block heater", not "pan heater".

I thought mine didn't work either, but just try to plug it in overnight if it has been giving you trouble, a good 6-8 hrs, and then give 'er a shot.

Also, have been told, and didn't believe it, but now have read as well, that winter weight of oil should be anywhere from 0W-30, SAE 30, to 10W-30. Now I know htat sounds wrong, but it's a hell of a lot easier to start your engine off a lighter weight in the cold, than the sludge that 15W40 turns into at 0F and below temps.

Anyway, that's my buck-two-eighty.

 

Never mind, went and replied without refreshing to see the multitude of replies.

My apologies, when I first saw this thread it was a lonely post.