Do I Need the Block Heater???

[StephenThomas]

The coldest it gets in my area is an occasional dip to the upper teens (farenheit). Typically, the coldest it gets is in the upper 20's lower 30's. My 04' didn't come with the cord for the block heater, but do you guys think I even need it???

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by StephenThomas

The coldest it gets in my area is an occasional dip to the upper teens (farenheit). Typically, the coldest it gets is in the upper 20's lower 30's. My 04' didn't come with the cord for the block heater, but do you guys think I even need it???

For $40 is it worth having the worry in your head? To me it's one of those things that are better to have and not need, than to need and not have. I've been using my block heater when the temps drop into the 30's, and once when I was in Missouri and it dropped to 20*. Every time I used it I got the short, 2 second warm-up cycle and the engine fired up immediately and didn't sound like it was full of silverware--even after it sat for several days without being started. It takes less than a minute to plug it in, and it doesn't raise your electric bill much, either. In my opinion it is well worth the money, and it's a shame that it isn't a standard component on the trucks any more.

 

[DPKetchum]

But no you wont have a problem starting. sometimes its in the teens here and I just plain don't think about plugging in. My 93 W250 I kinda forgot for a few years. It never had a problem starting or reasonable warmup time while driving.

 

[Dean Upson]

If I lived where you do, I wouldn't bother with it the block heater. I also agree that is a shame that it isn't standard anymore. Living where I do, I would put it on.



Dean

 

[DPKetchum]

I guess I tried to say that same thing only a little differant. Do I need and Do I gotta have are kinda differant aren't they.

 

[KBennett]

Mine started fine at 9* when I was at my cousin's in New Mexico last week. I don't have a plug on mine either but I think I will get one so I don't have to ride so long in a cold truck.

 

[FPoitra]

Your truck should start fine without one, speaking from experience living in ND. But it will warm up faster if it is plugged in. So its a personal choice.

 

[adsharpe]

Read Joe Donnelly's article in TDR 42 about HPCR and why the block heater is an option. You are good to -40 degrees F.



I can't use mine anyway cause it blows all circuit breakers in house. Must be shorted or polarity reversed?



I'd take it to dealer but they put wrong fluid in rear end last visit and they might flash the computer in addition to connecting the block heater to the starter, blah, blah, blah.



It's ok though cause they are a 5-STAR dealer.

 

[frijole]

Thermostat

I have a 120V plug out where I park my truck, wired a refrigeration thermostat in series TO 1/2 half of the plug, thereby having a temp controled plug. Stat is set to come on at 28*F, off at 33*F. Saves power costs, and doesn't burn up the heating element, (It' nothing more than a cowrod heating element).