Will I do any damage if I run the engine to help with the warm up with the block heater still plugged in? Does tje block heater heat the oil or the coolant / antifreeze? THANKS!

EARL!

 

No damage at all. Just remember to unplug be for you leave! Block heater warms the coolant/antifreeze.


Barney

 

It heats the coolent. May not hurt anything or it may over heat the element. Once started it has done it's job. A Curtis

 

You can leave it plugged it, but I'd personally unplug it once the temp gauge starts to move. If the coolant is warm enough, you're just wasting electricity. I also, as a test, plugged in the block heater with the engine fully warmed; the circuit breaker on the line popped IMMEDIATELY. I reset, and tested again; same result.

If I have my truck plugged in, then once she's running, I hop out and unplug the block heater cord, every time. Good habit I think that keeps me from tearing up a good cord and maybe damaging the truck/garage/house a little. Last thing you want is to bugger up that simple system in the dead of winter...