Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Block Heater for 1995 2500 stock Automatic

[RMcKinney]

The temperature this morning was 19 degrees, truck plugged in about 5 hours. The rocker arm cover seemed colder than I thought they had been in the past so I let the heater grid heat up twice, gave its little fuel and it started in about 6-7 revolutions. The Heater plug had continuity and plugged was showing a 6.6 AMPS load. This sound OK? RMcKinney from Kentucky

 

[hsmith]

I can't help on that one. My block heater is still virgin.

 

[DavidC]

Sounds good 750 watt divided by 120 = 6.25 amp

Dave

 

[mwilson]

That sounds about right.

I must admit that I have never felt the valve cover.

I can hear the block heater working (percolating, bubbling, etc.) when plugged in if it is vewwy, vewwy quiet outside.

Also the floodlights on the garage flicker ever so slightly plugging the truck in when the timer is bypassed.

We set the timer for 4 hours even in these temps (-20) and the trucks will flop over several times before lighting off.

The engine is fine, but the noises coming from the P/S pump and transmission for the first 15 seconds or so are a little unnerving.

 

[JR]

Next time feel the upper radiator hose, should be good and warm.
Do the grid heaters even come on if the block heater has been plugged in on the 12 valves? If they do they must be looking at IAT sensor temps rather than coolant...

 

[mwilson]

My grid heaters come on, plugged in or not.

I don't think that they stay on as long when it is plugged in, but I always cycle them twice before attempting to start it in colder temps.

It also helps to turn the motor over a few times after the second cycle, then cycle the grid heater once again. That fills the intake with warm air, makes quite a difference in starting.

 

[RMcKinney]

Seems to have been me

That sounds about right.

I must admit that I have never felt the valve cover.

I can hear the block heater working (percolating, bubbling, etc.) when plugged in if it is vewwy, vewwy quiet outside.

Also the floodlights on the garage flicker ever so slightly plugging the truck in when the timer is bypassed.

We set the timer for 4 hours even in these temps (-20) and the trucks will flop over several times before lighting off.

The engine is fine, but the noises coming from the P/S pump and transmission for the first 15 seconds or so are a little unnerving.

This morning everything seemed normal. I noticed a spart at the Block Heater plug when I unplugged it meaning heater was still working when I unplugged it.
I do not remember that spart the day before. I was using a timmer that day so the heater had been off about an hour before I started it.
Everything is ok.

 

[Woodenhead]

Maybe the cord or plug is deteriorated and working intermittently. A good visual inspection would hurt. Or move it around a bit while testing it.

 

[hsmith]

Might want to look at the plug end at the heater also.