I have a 1999 f350 build date of 2/99. Did it come automatically with a block heater? I wasn't sure if all f350s came with a block heater.

If it didn't, can anyone suggest a block heater brand factory or otherwise? and is there anything else that is suggested for heating the truck? Oil pan, battery blankets...

Thanks for any info.

One other random question. When these diesels run out of gas, can you rely on the fuel pump to get it going again or is there the priming issue as with non-powerstroke diesels?

Thanks,
Jason

 

First of all look on the drivers side of the block. You should see an orange thick wire down there. Thats the block heater. Second you can check behind the driver side tow hook. Should be a plug there

Second question is when I have ran out of gas I have cycled the pump a few times and I was up and going.

Hope this helps.

 

I checked behind the tow hook, nothing there. I'll check near the motor, but I'm not optimistic. Any help on how to test the glow plugs might be helpful (please keep in mind, I'm ignorant with electrical stuff). I just put new batteries and alternator in.

 

You really need to dig around by the tow hook to find it, especially if the previous owner never used it.
To test the glow plugs you will need a good volt meter, you can get a decent digital model that is easy to use at Sears for around $20 bones. Then you need to open the hood and pop the UVCH (under valve cover harness) connector off on each side of the engine (1 per valve cover, right in the middle of the valve cover). The pins inside the connector are arranged as such:

GGIICIIGG

G = glow plug
I = injector
C = injector common ground

Now the fun begins. You either need to hold the tip of your probes on a good ground (black probe) and each G pin in the connector with the red probe, or you can use a short piece of wire with alligator clips on each end to clip to the pins in the connector and touch the other end with the red probe. Good glow plugs will be between 0.2 and 2 ohms resistance. Don't forget to set the meter to ohms too by the way

 

Get under the truck and look above the oil filter (on the drivers side). There should be an orange thick chord coming out right there if you have the block heater. If it's there, you can trace it forward and find the plug end.