Block heater doesn't work

[WStrong]

The block heater on my '92 doesn't seem to be heating up the engine lately. There is power to it so it must be burned out. Can you get them aftermarket? What is the easiest way to change them out? Are they screwed in or pressed in?



















'92 W250 Straight piped, 9 ft. snow plow, 240,000 miles

 

["Mad Max"]

I was just going to post the same question - What are the different types of block heaters, where do you get a good heavy duty one, and where/how is the best place to install it?

- S

 

[Philip]

For an external heater like out trucks use. I would head down your local NAPA store and look at the KAT line of block heaters. I am sure there is one with close to the same config as ours.



The KAT line also has in block style heaters to. If you wanted to punch out a core plug you could go with one of these. Eather way you need to drain the system down.



To test you old heater you need a digital volt meter. Put it on OHMS scale and go across both of the blade terminals. You showed have a reading of around 30 OHMS if it is good. Anything less or no reading means an open heater. Time for a new one then.



On a side note here. I have used Kat heater many times. Of the brands on the market these hold up the best. If the parts store you go to doesn't have this brand or doesn't know about them. Find a better store.

 

[DieselTweaker]

It's that time of year again just put a new Zerostat in mine, Im glad to hear you checked to make sure you had power I know alot of people that have spent alot of money on a new heater and needed a 5 dollar cord, If you need the part # for the Zerostat pm me and ill get it for you.

 

[SRadke]

The heaters have a small allen head screw in the middle, back it out and a little pry it'll pop right out. Napa's "Katz" line has a direct replacement to go in the soft plug hole or you can get a 1500 watt to replace the original 750 watt.



-Scott



Edit: Had to come back and edit... . Don't remove te small allen head screw, just loosen it about 1/4". If you take it all the way out the metal cross bar will fall into your block.

 

[tugboatphil]

This is also an item that I see on EBay a lot. They don't usually go for a high price either.

 

[bmoeller]

Check the cord. Had to replace mine. It looked OK, but wasn't doing its job. Borrowed a cord off of one of the tractors at work to verify it. With that cord, my heater worked. Bought a new cord, and all is well.

 

[DKasper]

One thing I added to mine that I really like is a Wolverine oil heater. These are an adhesive pad that goes on the bottom of the oil pan -- you plug it in and it keeps your oil nice and warm. With just the block heater, the oil is still pretty thick when the engine starts. This gets it flowing nice from the start.



If its just in the 30's or so, I just run the oil heater, as it gets colder, I run the block heater, when it gets down into single digits and below, both of them get turned on.



I got tired of opening the hood all the time to plug the truck in, so I went to my local Caterpillar dealer and got a plug-in outlet with a nice chrome cover like you see on some big trucks. Drilled a hole in the driver side quarter panel right under the side marker light and mounted it. It looks nice there -- not many people notice it. Ran both the wires for the heaters together into the plug -- voila!! No more opening hood -- just plug 'er in she goes. Did put switches in-line so I can choose which heaters will activate -- either one or both.



I know, it sounds like a lot of trouble, but I'm kind of wierd with plugging this truck in and it has made it much easier!



Dave

 

[JLEONARD]

Did put switches in-line so I can choose which heaters will activate -- either one or both.

Do you have to open the hood to throw the switches?

 

["Mad Max"]

where does the block heater typically get inserted into the block? I'm guessing a freeze plug, but which one and where? Any 'Cummins' voodoo to seal the plug up or anything tricky to the job?

- S

 

[SRadke]

where does the block heater typically get inserted into the block? I'm guessing a freeze plug, but which one and where? Any 'Cummins' voodoo to seal the plug up or anything tricky to the job?

- S

It's in the second or third soft plug from the front on the passenger side. No voodoo, just a tapered plug with an o-ring groove in it that seals on a smooth soft plug surface. Really a slick and simple design.



-Scott

 

[DKasper]

Jay -- right now i'm using some rubber push-button switches mounted behind the bumper. They work OK and have not been any trouble so far. I'd like to make them in the cab, but I wasn't real excited about having a relay that was constantly energized.

 

["Mad Max"]

smooth and simple = good. Thanks Scott. I'm guessing that removing the turbo and exhaust manifold is the easiest way to get at it, and make up some excuse like needing to replace the manifold gaskets, ja?

- S

 

[JLEONARD]

It hasn't been asked, but I use a heavy duty timer for my block heater. I set it to go on 2 to 3 hours before my normal departure time.

That is plenty of time to get the engine up past 56 F so the grids don't come on... . unless the outside temp is in single digits or below.

Jay

 

[SRadke]

smooth and simple = good. Thanks Scott. I'm guessing that removing the turbo and exhaust manifold is the easiest way to get at it, and make up some excuse like needing to replace the manifold gaskets, ja?

- S

No need to remove the turbo or manifold. Take off the intake hose and you can get at it just fine. It's only an hour job to swap one out if you know what you're doing.



-Scott

 

[BV]

No need to remove the turbo or manifold. Take off the intake hose and you can get at it just fine. It's only an hour job to swap one out if you know what you're doing.



-Scott

IMO - it would be easier with the oil filter out of the way.

 

[SRadke]

I didn't remove the filter to do mine but I don't doubt it would be easier.



-Scott