Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Engine Block Heater

[JTitone]

For the past week it's been pretty cold here in NH and I've been leaving the truck's block heater plugged in all night. This mechanic I know said I shouldn't leave the heater plugged in all night as I could damage some seals in the engine. He recommended I get a timer so it turns on about 2 hours prior to when I plan on starting the truck. Is he correct?



Jim T.

1998. 5 SLT, 2WD, ext cab, long bed, isspro fuel pres guage, Fass DDRP

 

[fkovalski]

I have never heard of seal damage by leaving a block heater on all night... there is no way that the heat generated by the block heater could exceed the normal operating temperatures of the engine while running... and normal driving temps should not cause seal damage.

I regularly see temps as low as -20 several times during the year... and I worry about things other than what you state at these temperatures. I have kept the block heater plugged in for several days a few times in these conditions and never worry.

I do have a timer (the programming type with the timing pins... ) that I do use when the truck is parked outside. 3-4 hours before predicted starting should be sufficient.

JMHO... perhaps others will add to your concerns.

 

[rbattelle]

For a few years I ran my block heater all night. In fact, there were times when I would run the heater for a couple days non-stop. I don't do that anymore (there's no point), but I never considered that it might damage the engine in any way.

Might shorten the heating element life a bit, though. Plus you're paying for all that electricity.

Now I run a timer set for between 2 and 4 hours before I intend to drive it (depending on the ambient temperature).

Ryan

 

[fest3er]

... Now I run a timer set for between 2 and 4 hours before I intend to drive it (depending on the ambient temperature).



Ryan

That always worked for me up in No. Ill. Also, with the auto, I'd put it in gear and hold it at 1200 RPM or so for a minute or three, or at least until it made 5-10# of boost for 10-20 seconds. Those combined with covering 1/2 the radiator when it was below zero would help get heat into the cab in 5 miles or so.

 

[Stranger]

If you run your heater all night in 0*, what should the temp on the gauge be when you crank it up?

 

[rbattelle]

If you run your heater all night in 0*, what should the temp on the gauge be when you crank it up?

It won't register because the gauge begins at 140°F. However, the water temperature will be somewhere between 80°F and 100°F.



Even with ambient temperatures around 50°F I've never been able to get the water temperature high enough to register on the gauge with the block heater alone. The heater just doesn't have enough power for that.



Ryan