Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Circulating Block Heaters. Will it work?

[Jeff H]

Does any one have a circulating block heater. I have a Kats and also a zero stat brand.

First of all will they work on the 5. 9 Cummins?

They way it shows it ties into the return line from the heater core. I geussing I would hook it up on the return line from the heater core down where the lower hose from the radiator comes into the block.

My engine block heater needs repacing. Just wonder if this other option would work out?

Both heaters run close to a 1000 watts. Just plug them into an outlet nearest to you.

 

[bmoeller]

The tank heaters work nicely. One advantage to them, is since they circulate the water, it will help keep ice from forming on the window. Won't eliminate it though.



1 heater should do it. I had one on my Ford. Used the 1500 watt heater on my Ford. . That way if you forgot to plug it in, it won't take as long to heat up the water.



Most older tractors I have run have the tank heaters on them.

 

[illflem]

The small tank type heaters will work just fine but there is no advantage to them over the stock type. Both circulate the coolant by convection (hot rises) there are no pumps involved.

 

[JohnE]

If you're looking to plumb in one of those 2,000 watt units it should probably go in as my Espar. It taps into a coolant port behind the fuel filter and tee'd into a heater line.



The factory unit at 700 watts is pretty pathetic if you're fighting -20° temps with a 20 mph wind.



An Espar is worth every nickel if you have to park outside and especially when it defrosts the windshield, too. ...

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by illflem

. Both circulate the coolant by convection (hot rises) there are no pumps involved.

Any of the ones I have used had pumps in them. One on my boss' tractors had the pump go out in it. The water in the heater got hot, but not much of anything else did.

 

[Jeff H]

I'll have to take a look at your set up John.

I have to heaters right now. May have a 3rd later.

My dad's shed is junk heaven.

 

[WDaniels]

John E,

If your block heater has trouble heating at -20 then your heater is on it's way out. Mine has worked flawlessly for years and I've used it as low as -67 actual and in -40 to -50 dozens and dozens of times. (wind chill is a rating for the flesh of living things. It doesn't affect metal or inorganic things) The only thing that has a hard time at that temp is the power stearing pump and the breaks, oh and trying to get heat into the cab also.

WD

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

He wasn't talking about wind chill he was talking about the wind blowing away the heat.

 

[1sand0s]

I agree about the wind.

Your truck keeps its heat at -20 with no wind blowing a lot longer than if you have 20 MPH winds churning air underneath it.

(I would not want to pay the bill for 2000 watts running too long. Damn man, that will heat a small apartment!)

The reason we are so sensitive to wind chill is because of the layer of heat our bodies make all around it to insulate us.

Well, you guys... . Not me, I am an alien!





#ad

 

[Jeff H]

Please no wind chill arguing. I could care less.

 

[The patriot]

I've also seen Kimstat heaters.

They have an old diesel firepump at work with a brand new Kimstat.

The engine is trashed,(old Cummins 220 HP) I'm going to ask if I can have the heater.

The whole place is going to end up in the dumpster by this time next year anyway.....

Eric

 

[JohnE]

Yes, the term wind chill applies to the affects of wind on a moist skinned convector know as the human body.

The affects of air flow (wind) on the engine block is roughly the same as running a fan or driving down the road on your radiator. Forced convection. A metal surface gives up heat quickly and a wind will add to the loss.



True, a block heater, no matter the size, will do the duty if you have the time and access to electricity. I have no plug in at work so I decided on an Espar which cranks out over 4kW. The only downside of either Espar or block heater is they mostly warm the coolant (sound ironic doesn't it?), but the engine oil and life blood of the Cummins doesn't get much.



Do you get a plug in at work, Jeff? That maeks a big difference in the decision factor. We can go over the options when we install your governor springs.



-John



edit: corrected grammatical error. see if you could find it... ...

 

[WDaniels]

JohnE,

A good friend of mine has a heater like yours(but the other one) and what he did is run the exhaust of the unit real close to the oil pan to help with the oil temp. He said it wasn't much but every little bit helped. He runs his up the haul road in the winter to go hunting and has never had a problem. Of course he has a furd, maybe their clearances on their engine are alot looser.

WD

 

[Jeff H]

I used to plug my truck in at work. They put an end to that. But the bums in the office can decorate there offices with Xmas lights though.

 

[JohnE]

WD;

You by any chance in the service and stationed at the airbase?

One of the local boys is heading back up there in February.

He's been pondering some of the winter aides, too.



For my Cummins, I switched to 5W-40 Delvac 1 synthetic. I'm real happy with the winter starting and summer (minimal) misting performance. Being I change (oil) once a year, it works well for me.

I've also got a magnetic (oil pan)heater, but the past few winters have barely made it to -20° temps so it hasn't been opened. We're planning for a good one this year. The wooly bears are sporting fleece liners this year.



Jeff;

Dang Indian Summer makes it tough to think about winter chills.

Those Optimas you ordered will be great plus if you switched to synthetic oil itwould work pretty well, too.



-John

 

[WDaniels]

JohnE,

Yes I am at Eielson AFB here. I am a full time technician with the Guard. Have your friend e-mail me at work. Tell him to look me up in the global listing on his computer at work. Or Through this forum.

Now I understand why your oil pan heater has a tough time at

-20. I have the 3x5 pads that you put on both sides of your oil pan with silicone rubber. Works fantastic. If you cannot find any in your location, get back with me and I'll send you a couple . Makes all the difference in the world.

I run the I run the Royal Trition 76, 15/40. I like it and it works well. It's a semi synthitic. I tried the Rotella that Sam's carries but can't stand the smell. It is half the price of the Royal triton.

WD

 

[Uncle Mike]

Small world

JohnE/WDaniels, as it turns out I have exchanged a few PM's and already did look up WDaniels on the worldwide. We've talked on the phone as well. Not too surprising, (for an Alaskan and fellow TRD member), but he even offered any assistance that I may need during my journey north. For someone to offer to come fetch you if broke down, or bring needed parts/service while on the ALCAN in the winter is commendable! It takes alto of heart to head out on a couple hundred mile trip at temperatures that could be far below zero to "help out" a fellow TDR member! A well deserved round of applause to both WDaniels for the offer, and to JohnE for thinking of my upcoming trip! Now that that is out of the way, Iv'e prepared the rig with battery pad heaters, 100w oil pan heater and the factory block heater. I'll change to Mobil Delvac 1 before I leave so I should be set. I'll get a better radiator cover when I get there, the grill inserts will do for now.

 

[WDaniels]

Ahhhh, Uncle Mike. I wondered if JohnE was talking about you, but several people have called and written so I wasn't sure. If you have only one pad on the side of the pan, put another one on. That is a lot of oil to heat and when it gets really really cold (-30. 40, 50 and more)it isn't enough to keep the oil warm. Of course, if the weather doesn't change here soon you'll need T tops on your truck to keep cool.

If you want a good weather front and there is someone there who can install snaps on your core support, I can send you one.

WD

 

[Uncle Mike]

I think I'll wait

I tried to get one here earlier, and I got the "deer in the headlight" look. I tried a couple of truck places, and a canvas/tarp company but they Didn't have anything that looked nice. I'll just wait and go to Alaska tent and tarp. They are still is business aren't they?

 

[WDaniels]

Yep, they are still in business. That is where I would have gotten it from for you. Besides, you don't think that a place that provides all these Alaskan beauties with all their outer and underwear material could ever close it's doors, do you? Ah, but they are so sweet!

I know about the deer in the headlight look. I once went TDY to Pittsburgh and was trying to buy some sunglasses and as I was paying for them, my friend asked them if they took money from Alaska? The young ladies promptly gave me my money back and said that they couldn't accept foreign currency. So while he was laughing his butt off outside in the mall, I'm feverishly trying to explain that my money was exactly the same as what they had in the cash box, pockets and purses. But Noooooo, that money is from Alaska, and we can't take it. Finally one young lady that worked there came up and told the rest that Alaska was part of the United States and the money was all the same. It was worth the ten minute delay.

WD