Cold Climate-Do you plug in your truck at night?

[DaveK98]

Guys, Is my 05 equiped with a block heater?



I think all I need to buy is a cord right?

 

[RankRam]

Guys, Is my 05 equiped with a block heater?



I think all I need to buy is a cord right?

Yes it has the heater, cord is all you need. NAPA parts is a good source for one.

 

[osiris]

how cold can the temp be before they wont start? it was about -27 here in laramie yesterday and the truck started right up justhad to let it warm up for a while to stop with the smoking

 

[BMH95]

I have my cord routed up to the bumper, and then it comes out to the front and sits right on top of the passenger tow hook. It hasn't moved a bit while I'm out driving around on the highway and all. I also keep the cap on it. If I didn't have a cap, then I would cut the end off of an old cord and use that as my 'improvised' cap. It's got a cold weather extension cord that is attached to the house with a $10 heavy duty timer. It comes on at 5, and is ready to go when I leave between 8 and 9.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Timer set to come on at 3:30 AM - out the door at 6:45 AM.



Sure is nice to start out with a little heat coming out the vents!



... and a little help while going out in 15 degree weather ...



#ad

 

[Katmandu]

I know that is probably a stupid newbie question, but I was just wondering.

The only STUPID question is the one that is NOT asked!

 

[Katmandu]

I'm from MI and I love cold weather...

You are one SIC puppy!!

I'm from Pittsburgh and now live near Dayton, Ohio and I DESPISE COLD weather! Can't wait to go South and be a DAMN Yankee (again!) !!

 

[Jeremiah]

Advantages to plugging in

I too plug in my truck when the temp goes below 20 degrees, which it frequently does in Colorado. But I thought I'd mention that I also plugged in my 1990 Honda Accord 4-cylinder while I had it. That car had 334,000 miles on it when I sold it (for $1,500) and it never once used oil between changes. I give partial credit to keeping the engine warm in the winter.



Of course, it also had the original clutch and had never had anything but timing belts changed, so maybe Honda quality had something to do with it too.

 

[jwduke]

I dunno, if you plug it in, when the motor is at operating temp. , wouldn't it use less electricity, than if a timer started warming up a -10* block???

 

[Pawpaw]

I dunno, if you plug it in, when the motor is at operating temp. , wouldn't it use less electricity, than if a timer started warming up a -10* block???

That would be true if the block heater had a much more powerful element and a thermostat. Instead, it's not powerful enough to even maintain normal engine operating temps, much less boil the coolant. There is no thermostat. It's drawing full current anytime it's plugged in.



Bob

 

[FATCAT]

If its below 30 degrees, I plug my truck in the night before I need to use is.

No need for a timer or anything.

Also, check out THESE GUYS if you want a nice little oil pan or transmission pan heater. They are also greate for small tractors.

 

[WyattEarp]

unless im planning on going somewhere the next morning from home and i know its going to be below freezing i don't plug mine up. At work i have no way of plugging up so its cold starts not matter what the temps.

The 92 that i recently picked up was down below the mountain from here and saw mild winters so im guessing the block heater was used very little, at 11 degrees the 12V fires right off of course its a whole different animal, it idles rough until cylinder temps get up and then it high idles up. I have started my 24V at 0* before and below without plugging up and have had no problems with it starting.

In MN. i would expect at least 2hrs minimum of run time on the block heater as you guys see much colder temps than most of us do on any given day in winter.

 

[JasonCzerak]

oil pan heater

The viscosity of oil changes with heat. Could placing one of these on the oil pan make the oil "thicker" (at the '45' of the 15w45) and there for harder to pump when starting a cold motor?



This is the argument that my buddy and I had a few times.



But in practice. block heater at 0 degree the motor turns over and fires like it was 90 degrees out. With out the block heater, even before things fire, you can tell that it's trying much harder to turn the crank. This would be the oil viscosity or just cold vs. warm metal on metal friction?



Also practice tells me that, oil seems to flow much faster out of a warm motor then does from a cold bottle (pouring in. )

 

[Jeremiah]

Block heaters and pack rats

I can tell you fellers one thing: the block heater heats enough to attract pack rats on a cold night. I had one a couple of years ago that used firewall insulation to build a nest in the wheel well. Smoke bombs didn't help and he ate enough D-Con to kill an army of mice before I got him with a big rat trap.



I've also noticed the block heater heats enough to keep the top of the engine warm. It was a great place for the late rat to sleep! He also chewed up my air cleaner filter until I went the aFe route. Now all I gotta do is figger out how to replace firewall insulation without breaking the bank.

 

[RMachida]

The viscosity of oil changes with heat. Could placing one of these on the oil pan make the oil "thicker" (at the '45' of the 15w45) and there for harder to pump when starting a cold motor?



This is the argument that my buddy and I had a few times.



But in practice. block heater at 0 degree the motor turns over and fires like it was 90 degrees out. With out the block heater, even before things fire, you can tell that it's trying much harder to turn the crank. This would be the oil viscosity or just cold vs. warm metal on metal friction?



Also practice tells me that, oil seems to flow much faster out of a warm motor then does from a cold bottle (pouring in. )

I have a silicone pad heater on my oil pan (as well as under both batteries) and when all is plugged in, it starts as well at -35 F as at 70 F. My employer provides (it's included in the cost of the parking sticker) pluggins that start cyclying on at +20 F and are on continuously at 0 F and below. I have full oil pressure immediatly after starting (or at least 6 psi according to these forums) and even the air in the intake manifold must be warm since the "wait to start" light only comes on for a second or so.

 

[Jeremiah]

rbattelle, there are heaters that do precisely what you are talking about. They ain't cheap - like $1200 or more - but they heat the engine oil, inside of the vehicle, and melt whatever ice is on your windshield 30 minutes before you get inside and drive off. I forget what they're called but if you do a search you'll find 'em. Or just ask any of the Minnesota or Canadian owners. They'll know. These heaters run off a timer, burn a cup or so of diesel fuel per night, and are worth the money if a warm truck is your thing.

 

[betterthanstock]

Jeremiah you mean this:



http://www.espar.com/htm/Specs/water/D4Wspec.htm



1. 2 gallons diesel in 24 hr continuous running

 

[billyfury]

cold weather starts

This has been a really informative thread for me. Thanks to everyone. Recently on a minus 11 F night I plugged in my truck without realizing the circuit breaker in the garage had blown. So my truck sat outside overnight at minus 11. It was a bit of a struggle to get it going. I had to hold the key for quite some time as additional cyls. kicked in. Seem like it started on three then 4 etc. It finally smoothed out after 30 to 45 seconds. Huge amounts of smoke. Some of you have said your truck fires up at temps much colder than this with no problem. My truck has 12,500 miles and is 100% stock. My 99 fired up without a problem at minus 20 much easier than the 05 will do at minus 11. Does this sound normal? I really hesitate to take in it because I love the performance, the mileage, and everything else. I sure don't want some computer reflash. One more question those that have mentioned cycling the grid heaters twice how long do you wait after the first one to start the second? If I try right away the light goes out immediately.



Thanks, billyfury 70-71 Fury Collector (24 and counting)

 

[rbattelle]

Does this sound normal?

I think you're fine. No reason to take it in. These trucks crank longer than the older VP-44 trucks even in perfect weather.



-Ryan

 

[DTroy]

Does this sound normal?



Thanks, billyfury 70-71 Fury Collector (24 and counting)

Not at all ..... that's 23 too many buddy. Just kidding ya.