Just in case you never plugged a vehicle in, make sure you use nothing less than a 12guage three prong ext. cord preferebly the shortest length that works. dont invite a fire like i did with my first excursion!

 

I just finished installing the freeze plug heater. I can't believe how easy it was. I drained the radiator then started tapping the top of the freeze plug with a hammer and screwdriver. The top went in and the bottom came out. I grabbed the bottom with a channel lock and pulled it out. I cleaned the hole with fine sand paper added some Vaseline and it just popped right in.
When I was routing the cord to the front of the truck I heard a splash in the bucket if old antifreeze. A 2 1/2" rubber plug had fallen from somewhere. I can't figure out where it goes. The part # is F65E-6C070-AC . Does anyone know where it goes?
Also I drove the truck for about 15 minutes and the temp gage isn't going near as high as it did before. The heater does get as warm as it used to. Should I be concerned about this? I used Peak Global with a 60-40 mix
Thanks,
Budman

 

Ok this is wierd. I drove around again for about 20 minutes. The temp gauge only got up to the bottom line on the normal zone. I turned the truck off and turned the key to the on position (not start). The gauge showed normal temp. When I start the truck the gauge drops back down. I tried it several times. Same thing. any ideas?

Budman

 

Did you put a new thermostat in when you you put the heater in? That might be part of the problem (reusing the old thermostat). Im going to put my block heater in this week. While im at it, im going to put a new thermostat and seal in also.

 

No, I didn't think to change the thermostat. It would have been very easy since it was drained. I just don't know why it shows normal in the on position but drops instantly when I start the engine.

 

The plug goes on the block facing the transmission. There is an access hole there. Not really sure why though.

Not sure about the temp, unless it's air locked and when the pump moves the water it doesn't make good contact with the sensor??

 

Thanks, do you know where the temp sensor is at? Maybe it has a bad connection.
Budman

 

You are absolutely right.I bought mine in 2000 in so cal and it doesn't have one.

 

Yep these block heaters are the best thing to extend your engine life there is. A warm engine will always have less engine wear then a cold one. For a few dollars spent on the heater an electricity you could save thousands by extending engine life.

 

I had read somewhere here on FTE that all diesels had the heater itself installed, but the power cord might not be in place. I'm not sure if that applied to all years/engines though...