2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission block heater-gauges

[grincon]

I plug in the block heater overnight---the Wait to Start light only shows briefly--okay--but the engine temp gauge and the oil temp gauge are all the way down as when I don't plug the truck in at all. Should at least the engine temp gauge be above all the way down? Or is that the norm?

 

[Bob Wagner]

same here-no problem

 

[pro99]

THE NORMAL OPERATING TEMP IS FROM ABOUT 100 TO 135 DEPENDING WHAT OUTSIDE TEMP IS . THE ENGINE OIL TEMP REALLY IS NOT EFFECTED AS MUCH AS THE COOLANT IS. IF YOU’RE WAIT TO START LIGHT GOES OUT KIND OF QUICK THEN IT SOUNDS NORMAL. WHEN YOU START THE MOTOR THE COOLANT IN THE RAIDEATOR IS STILL COLD SO THE MOTOR WILL STILL TAKE SOMETIME GETTING WARM EVEN WHEN YOU PLUG IT IN OVERNIGHT.

 

[grincon]

So if the coolant is still cold; other than the Wait to Start light going out sooner, what else is going on due to plugging in the block heater?

 

[pro99]

IT DOESN'T HEAT THE FUEL IT JUST IS REALLY FOR THE COOLANT, IT'S NOT JOINT TO THE FUEL, MOTOR OIL OR TRANS. IT HELPS A VERY LITTLE TO WARM UP THE MOTOR OIL BUT ONLY WHAT THE BLOCK CAN TRANSFERS DOWN TO THE MOTOR OIL. THERE IS NO FUSE FOR THE BLOCK HEATER AND IT JUST GOES INTO THE COOLANT PASSAGE. I HOPE THAT THIS HELPS? DON’T THINK IT DOESN’T HELP IT DOES BUT NOT LIKE SOME PEOPLE THINK IT DOES LIKE WARMS UP THE HOLE SYSTEM. I HAVE DONE SOME TESTING AND WHEN I PLUGGED IT UP OVERNIGHT I PUT MY HAND ON THE HEAD OF THE MOTOR AND IT WAS WARM BUT THEN ON THE OIL PAN AND IT WAS COLD BUT NOT AS COLD AS THE TRANS PAN. SO LIKE I SAID IT HELPS BUT NOT ALLOT FOR THE MOTOR OIL, TRANS OIL OR FUEL JUST THE COOLANT REALLY HEATS UP.

 

[illflem]

The coolant circulates due to convention when the block heater is on, feel your radiator after being plugged in overnight, it will be warm. The oil is also warmed from heat transfer though the warm engine block and oil cooler. I poked around taking temps with a infrared temp gun on a 0°F day after the truck had been plugged in overnight, what I got was-- upper radiator hose 120°, top of valve cover 80°, injection pump 72°, bottom of oil pan 40° and center of steering wheel 20°. My block heater will even keep the windshield snow free till the temp dips below 25°.

 

[JohnE]

grincon;

Watch your voltmeter on startup. You should notice it doesn't dip way down as when the grid heaters cycle on a cold engine.



If you want a very warm engine on startup and park outside, there is one word, <b>Espar. </b>

 

[Ron Bissett]

The block heater also warms the transmission oil if you shift to neutral the oil will flow into the cooler and warm up faster saves auto transmission from cold thick oil by transfer of heat and transmission can use all the help it can get in cold start situations . Ron In Louisville KY

 

[C. Harlan]

Another word of advice in cold weather... As long as your intake manifold heater is cycling on and off, those of you with aftermarket stereos with amplifiers, leave the stereo turned off till it is done cycling... Due to a lack of voltage, you run the risk of frying your amplifier if it is not getting minimum of 12-14 volts. I am not sure how much voltage these heaters drop the power to, but it dips pretty low on my gauge, and I leave it turned off till its done cycling. I just thought I would address this, and give y'all a heads up.



-Chris-

 

[HC]

Good Tip on the stereo, Chris!



This is something no one would ever see in the owners manual, but it could save somebody a wad of cash.

 

[C. Harlan]

You know, all this trouble I talk about, and I go out to the honky tonk last night to see The Great Divide, come out, and Whaddya know?? Batteries took a dump! Not even enough juice to roll down the windows! It is 2:15 AM, and I am getting mad... . so I try to jump it off... Nope... Had to pop start it, but here is another word of advice! Those of y'all with standard transmission 7100's, turn the key on, and manually lift the plunger up, so it will allow fuel to flow... otherwise, no starty! Keep this in mind!



-Chris-