Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Block Heater

[sstockton]

I'm from an area that seldom gets cold enough to even think about using my block heater, but the last couple of nights it has gotten a little chilly. I keep a thermomater inside my truck and this morning it was at about 30 degrees in the cab. I let the truck warm up for about 15 min and I still don't register a temp until I get across town. I guess in short, my question is what temperatures do you guys plug in your heaters at. should I be doing mine? thanks, Sean

 

[DLausche]

I usually plug mine in if the forecast says it will dip below 0F. I let it warm up for 30 to 60 seconds and then down the road I go. It will start at -25F without being plugged in but it is not very happy when I do this. Yes, it takes forever to warm the engine up - and even longer to heat the interior. I'm typically about 5 miles down the road before the temp gauge moves.



IMO, at 30F I wouldn't bother plugging it in.



-Deon

 

[AMink]

If you have access to power, go ahead and plug it in. You can get a timer so you're not heating it all night. At 30*, you probably only need a couple hours before you leave to warm it up. It just starts easier and runs smoother faster. However, like DLaushe says, you don't HAVE to. Pick a few cold mornings and plug it in one, start it cold another. See if the difference is worth it.

 

[GOT-Torque]

I plug mine in when it's going to be below freezing. I use a timer on my ext cord and heating the block from 2am to 6am has been more than enough recently. It's been parked outside with lows of 0 recently. BTW, with it plugged in or not, it seems to always take about 4 to 5 miles for the temp gauge to creep upwards.

 

[jeepit]

Mine is in unheated garage and I plug in when it gets down to 30 in the garage. I have it on a timer set for 3 hours before I leave. Outside it is 0 today. Let it run for 2 minutes then on to the I system. Just 190 degrees when I get to work.

 

[WCPoe]

Plug in preheat is cheap!!

I'm just north of Atlanta but I usually plug mine in on cold nights with a timer for about 3 hours of preheat because I prefer the immediate heat. (I know I can't relate to you guys up in the colder climates. ) But hey, my local EMC shows . 0834 cents per Kwh which should equate to about a quarter per cold night. I honestly believe that the fuel I save from avoiding a more extended warmup balances this out. Diesel engines are efficient when they're hot and the I believe the warmer startup is a heck of alot easier on the engine. Just my 2 cents but what do I know?

 

[JEastbourn]

I agree with plugging it in below freezing. I like heat in the cab sooner. Plus if you get a real cold snap, just put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator to restrict air flow and it will help it warm up faster and stay warm. I have had a few 0 mornings here and have had it plugged in and it starts up like it does when its 80. Plus by covering about half of the radiator with cardboard and it seems to warm up to 190 much faster. Hope this helps.

 

[sstockton]

cool, thanks guys, I'm going to get a timer, and try letting it heat for two or three hours, just cause heating the cab sooner sounds like a plus. once again thanks for all the input.

Sean

 

[bmoeller]

One other factor, as to why I plug mine in is, that even that it can start when it is below 30* without being plugged in, the oil pressure comes up quicker when it is plugged in.

 

[GOT-Torque]

Forgot to mention, I also use a piece of cardboard between the rad and ac condensor. It covers the entire radiator with a hole cut out in the center about 12" in diameter. This allows the outside temp guage to work properly as well as the fan clutch. Without this, I couldn't maintain temp in the normal zone on very cold days. This is mostly due to the fact that I removed and cleaned the radiator a few months ago, which led to the relocated oil vent.



If you ever take out your radiator and look at how much it is blocked due to the oil vapors coming out of the stock oil vent, you will be surprised

 

[BK]

The manual recommends to plug it in at temps below 40degF.

At 40degF, if I have it plugged in for a few hours , the heat will come up much quicker.

But it's not really needed.

As others have noted, mine has start well at 0 degF without being plugged in, but the heat comes up twice as quick if it was plugged in for 3 hours or more.

For the winter this year I switched to the mobil syn 5/30 SUV/Truck Deisel approved engine oil. . much easier cranking at 30degsF and lower than with the conventional dino oil.

 

[Don Bellamy]

Has anyone considered installing the Espar heater? Works great!

Don