Block Heater Cord

[Cohomojo]

I must have really gotton ripped off by my dealer because he just charged me 50 bucks for the cord and 50 to install it. They said the cost was so hight to install due to the difficulty in routing the cord. If anyone can come up with how much other dealers are charging for the cord, I'd appreciate some info so I can go back to my dealer and complain.

 

[DPelletier]

- My cord comes through the bumper and I loop it around the front tow hook; if I forget and drive away, it just unplugs. The only downside to just driving away like that is that the little cover is off the truck plug end and it gets dirty.

- I use a Noma outdoor light timer that is weatherproof and plugs in-line. I also set it for 3 hours before regularly scheduled departure.

- I use mine anytime the temps slip below 0 deg Celcius (32 deg F for you 'mericans ) The engine may not need it, but I think it is easier on it to have warm oil, it reduces the warmup time and I can hit full heat and defrost right away so that window scraping is minimized.

- I would have the cord no matter where I lived. I'm kind of a boyscout that way.

- I have two PSD buddies. Up on the ski hill last winter (-25 deg. C), the '99 7. 3l PSD wouldn't start at all until we plugged it in and let it sit for several hours. The '03 6. 0 PSD started after about eight trys, but it sounded so bad I felt sorry for it (well, you know,... . almost). Cycled the grid heaters on the Cummins twice for good measure and it fired right up and other than more noise than normal for the first 30 seconds, it might as well have been summer.

The 6. 0 sounded like... ... . well I can't describe it exactly, but think of a coffee can full of rusty ball bearings mixed with fingernails on a chalkboard.



Dave

 

[Hemiless]

Talking Coolant heater

I read this and e-mailed my dealer as I am scheduled to pick up my new 05 CTD on Friday.



I told him when they install the plug wire to make sure I can access it without having to lift my hood.



He e-maild back and said to his suprise his prep tech said the cord was already installed on the truck from the factory. He said without going out to look he's not sure where or how it is routed.



As a side note: I am reading all the above debate if a heater is even needed in certian parts of the country. All I can say is I race stock cars at a very high level and we won't even start a motor unless we've pre-heated the oil. And that goes even if it is a 100 plus degree day. A hard slug of oil is hard on any motor.

I agree that a oil pan heater is a good investment especially in cold climates but just so your not disappointed when your truck comes we're talking about coolant heaters you will have to put your own stick on oil pan heater if you want to heat the oil. Sure the block heater might help heat the oil a bit if its left on all night but with that big oil pan hanging down below the truck in a cold windy climate the block heater won't do much for the oil.

 

[bmoeller]

kjncowboy-



http://www.paccar.com/TruckAccessories/Kenworth/default.htm



Click on Exterior button. Then on engnie block heater light. I have the 360-0049 cord set. P/N 360-0054 has a thermostat with it to turn the heater on/off as needed.

 

[White Ram1]

I agree that a oil pan heater is a good investment especially in cold climates but just so your not disappointed when your truck comes we're talking about coolant heaters you will have to put your own stick on oil pan heater if you want to heat the oil. Sure the block heater might help heat the oil a bit if its left on all night but with that big oil pan hanging down below the truck in a cold windy climate the block heater won't do much for the oil.

Nathan, Thanks for the heads up. I best look for a pan heater of some type. This is my first Dodge and I had hoped the Dodge would be like my Ford's and the block heater alone would keep the oil from becoming syrup.



Any leads on a probe type of oil pan heater? Something maybe that replaces the drain plug with a probe mounted in it or something there abouts?

 

[Hemiless]

pan heater

White Ram1,



I'm sure the dodge block heater will work every good as the ford block heater did at keeping the oil from turning to syrup. But in really cold climates the pan heater is the way to go for keeping the oil warm. The self adhesive or glue on pad heater work great. I don't know of any well type heaters that would replace the drain plug. But if you’re worried about keeping the oil warm swing into Napa or you favorite parts store and pick up one of the self adhesive pan heaters.

 

[bmoeller]

There are dipstick type heaters. They go in through the dipstick tube. Some oil pan heaters are magnetic, and stick to the bottom of a iron/steel pan.

 

[Fyrmen]

I leave my plug extended outside by the grill. I have never had a problem with doing that. Saves the inconvience of opening the hood every time.

 

[PJ]

My block heater cord is at the passenger light in the front of the truck. I guess Im a lucky one as it wasnt even on my window sticker. I guess they must have had some extras and threw one on my truck! Oo. Oo.

 

[p-Bar]

Kjncowboy, Fyrmen,

Checkout htose "Fire Engineering " mags at the station and see who manufactures those auto eject plugs for the block heater? batt. charger



Thanks,

Don