Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Block heater?

[Black Cloud]

Hey gang this will be my first winter with my Dodge. I've noticed the wait to start light staying just a little longer now that we are entering fall ( mainly when I get off work at 2 in the morning).



At work I will not be able to plug in the heater but when I come home at night I will. How long can you keep it plugged in? Also any hints on starting a diesel in the winter? Its a 2000.

 

[jgillott]

There are many opinions about how to use the block heater, but here is my 2 cents worth. First of all, I have been driving a diesel since 1991 and have never been stranded because of cold starting difficulties. Usually when you are at work, your truck will be warm enough from your commute in the morning to hold at least a little heat all day. So I wouldn't worry too much about starting in the afternoon. At night, I usually begin to plug my block heater in when it is going to go below freezing. I have my plug on a timer and set it to run about 3 hours before I'm going to leave. If it is going to go down to near zero, then I just let the block heater run all night. Hope this helps.



Justin

 

[RichMorris]

Block heater

I am on my third CTD and have never had a problem with not starting. In very cold weather ( down to 5 degrees F. ) it was suggested to cycle the air intake heater twice befor starting. At sub zero temps I would plug in the block heater overnight. Never had a problem starting in daytime use.

 

[Rman]

it's more of a covenience than a necessity for MOST. My truck started fine last year when i forgot the plug and it was about 15F, it ran rough at first but was ok. I didn't even cycle the grids twice. I wouldn't worry about it unless it's really cold out, but your preference. The truck sure warms up fast though



What are the guys from up in the great white north take, like alaska and canada, places where -10 is a warm day?

 

[illflem]

Your truck will start fine down to below +10° without plugging in but it's hard on the engine.

I plug in below 40° but power here is cheap.

 

[swampfox]

I generally plug in when the temp is going to be below +10F

I use a timer set to turn on about 2 hours before I plan to start it.

Also in the winter I switch to synthetic oil

A block heater warms the water and helps warm the oil.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Last year mine sat at -22 overnight (about 14 hours) and I had forgotten to plug it in. In the morning the neighbor was trying to start his two gasser cars and they wouldn't start, my wifes honda barely started. I was going to plug mine in and leave it for a while but decided to give it a try just for the heck of it. I cycled the grid heaters twice (had never done that before) and it turned over slowly about 3 times and fired off. I was as happly as a clam, of course then she idled up to 1200 rpm and kicked off three cylinders for the first time and I about pooped my pants. It's quite interesting when the 3 cylinder idle kicks in, but the truck was up to operating temperature in about 5 minutes. Then I went and drove around town showing off that my diesel started and everyones gassers wouldn't. As far as your questions, you can leave it plugged in overnight with no problems just a higher electric bill and never use ether to start it unless you want an explosion. With my old first gen truck I was up in Maine ice fishing and it was about -30 when we were getting ready to leave and were about 60 miles from paved roads. I plugged my truck into my generator for about 30 minutes and she fired right off, so it doesn't take long, 2-3 hours would be ideal.

 

[Black Cloud]

I work 10 plus hour shifts getting off at 2 in the morning so I was kind of concerned about that with the truck just sitting outside. Northern Indiana winters can get cold off that big lake. It sounds like starting should not be a problem though.



Thanks gang,

James

 

[isb360]

My coldest start after not plugging in was stone cold -20F in Maine a couple of winters ago. Two intake heater cycles and it fired up. Lots of smoke and sounded like someone had dumped a can of ball bearings in the engine for the first minute or two, but never stumbled or stalled. I did have the high idle ECM reflash done, but after repeated mornings where all conditions for high idle should have been met, the idle never budged off of the usual 850rpm -- kinda aggravating, but... .



Normally I plug in all night below 20F, but will switch to a 3hr timer this winter. Definitely helps warm-up times, especially with no exhaust brake.



Tim

 

[jmadden]

I've had a number of sub-0 days w/o the heater over the last few years and it always fired right up w/ only one grid cycle. I've migrated to semi-synthetics for the late November to late March time of the year w/o a problem... admittedly the heater is nicer for the truk, but not always available. When I can I go the 2-3 hours on a timer like some of the others.



The only other winter concern you may find is a groaning p/s pump on cold days (mine would do it below 10F)... this is readily solved by changing to a synthetic p/s fluid (RedLine, Valvoline Synpower?, or the brand of your choice).



jm

 

[mberry]

No one has mentioned it, but don't forget a diesel additive to keep your fuel from gelling.

 

[jmadden]

In WI diesel is sold w/ enough additive in it already that gelling has yet to be a problem for mine... but you never know what you'll find so using additive seems like sound advice for at least the first year of ownership as you find out what truk stops around you are doing w/ the fuel.



jm

 

[HeavyHauler]

Incredibly stupid question...

Ok guys, here's one for the books...



How do I know if I've got an engine block heater? LOL.



And where would it be located if I did have one?



I'm in Tennessee and that's where the truck was bought so I figured it didn't have one. However, it does get in to single digits some nights down here in the winter. Do I need one if I don't have one?



Thanks for the help.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

The block heater on your truck should be right beside the oil filter about level with the top of it, look and see if there is an electrical cord hanging there. If there is look behind your bumper you'll probably find the other end if it. As far as I know up until real recently a block heater was standard on all Dodge diesels no matter where they went so I would guess you'll have one.

 

[James2000]

What is cycling the grid heater?Inquiring minds want to know James

 

[jmadden]

when you turn the ignition to "on" or "run" (not to start) the wait to start indicator lights up. While this is lit the heater grids are on and going through a cycle... the colder it is the longer the cycle. turn the ignition to "off" then back to "on" and the grids will cycle again. that would be cycling the grids.



Depending on the air temp the grids may continue to cycle while the truck is running generally shutting off when the engine reaches a specified temp or when the truck is going faster than 20mph. At low speed on very cold days they could cycle a lot and as I recall the amp draw is greater than the alternator output, so that could become a draining situation. haha... get it?



Hope this helped.





jm

 

[isb360]

Our trucks are equipped with a wire-mesh grid placed into the intake manifold, just "upstream" of the engine. (No glow plugs!!!!!) When the truck's computer determines the right conditions are met with regard to engine temp and outside air temp, you will turn the key on to find a "Wait to Start" red light illuminated on the dash. While the "Wait to Start" light is illuminated, the mesh grid in the intake gets electricity applied to it and it becomes warm. This way when you start the engine, the intake air will be warmed slightly, easing the cold weather compression ignition process.



You might think of it as a hair dryer in effect, except instead of blowing air past a warm set of elements, air is pulled past it.



Under normal cirucmstances, one turn of the key and one cycle of "Wait to Start" will warm the grid enough to ensure quick starting and no stumbling. However in extreme cold conditions (definitions of extreme cold vary person to person), some choose to cycle the grid twice to get it a bit warmer.



Hope that helps.



Tim

 

[Mtngoat]

My question is the same but different. I don't drive my truck on a schedule. It might set for several days, the I might have to go get in it and go without having time to plug it in for several hours. Can this just be plugged in and left on? I thought I read somewhere it will damage the heater if left on for longer than needed. Anyone know for sure?



Robin

 

[illflem]

Robin, my situation is the same as yours since I live where I work and use my truck for work at scattered times. There have been times my truck has been plugged in for weeks on end for the past 8 years - no problem. I do use a thermostat set at 40° to save power though. You can buy a Thermocube for around $10 at most hardware stores to keep your power usage down. More info here http://www.petvetsupply.com/equmfrm022.html

 

[Mtngoat]

Thermocube! Thanks Illflem- I'll check it out at the hardware store, if I cant find it, I'll order thru your source.