Block Heater????

[Paul Holbrook]

I've had my 2001 for about 6 weeks and am taking it up in the mountains where it's cold. Where is the plug in for the block heater and what do you do if you're in a campground with no electrical outlets?????

 

[SnoKing]

If it is really cold, go through a couple cycles of the grid heaters, that is wait until the wait light goes out, turn it off and start the cycle again. After two to three cycles on a really cold night, you should be able to light it up. SNOKING

 

[Fireman Dave]

Paul,



The plug is on the passenger side front. Pop the hood - it's hanging in front of the cooler next to the fender. In winter, I leave mine hanging out under the grill. If you have no power while camping, the block heater is out of commission. If it's really cold, you can cycle the grid heater a couple of times before starting. Anything above maybe zero degrees would make that unecessary, I think.



Dave

 

[chuck3]

If you raise the hood the plug should be hanging right on the left side in front of the radiator, if you have no elect. you can't plug it in. But these rigs will still start at extreamly cold temps. You might need to cycle the grid heaters a couple of times if its below zero.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Looks like we had a race on answering this one!

 

[SnoKing]

Hehe, I was first.

SNOKING

 

[Evan A. Beck]

I use my block heater religiously... Every night, no matter what the temp is. Much easier on the engine and less expansion/contraction cycle.

 

[illflem]

I'm with you on that Evan. My heater is on a line voltage thermostat set at 50°. My intake heaters never come on. Many OTR truckers I've talked to say they plug in at anything under 70° when power is available. One advantage we have in the Pacific NW is cheap power, that is until the salmon get it.

 

[JohnE]

Cummins did extensive cold temperature diesel starting performance research a few years back. Their data showed that a plenum air pre-heater is the best method for unaided (no block heater, ESPAR, etc. ) starting. It also required synthetic oil in the crankcase.



IMO, You'll be fine with cycling the grid heaters a couple times. If you expect sustained temps below 0deg; F, I would seriously consider either changing to lighter grade engine oil <font size=1>(assuming you don't already have AMSOIL 5W-30 or DELVAC 5W-40)</font> or running the engine every 3-4 hours. 15W-40 is not friendly once the temps drop. A little anti-gel in the tank or winter blend fuel is also a good idea



Many diesel engines do not have glow plugs or air pre-heaters. Maybe that's why truckers plug in early?



-John