Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Help! Going on trip Monday. I Need cost info for engine block heater.

[tolmsted]

I had to leave my truck outside the garage last night due to a broken garage door spring. The overnight temperature was ~17f and the heater didn't work. I checked continuity. NO CONTINUITY.
I guess I need to buy a new engine block heater asap.
I can get one tomorrow for ~ $120. 00. Is this cost reasonable or not? I need to know.

I posted a few days ago that I had purchased a fan controller that I paid about $70. 00 for and someone here nicely replied that he thought the cost should only be about $30. 00.

I don't want to make a costly mistake and overpay.

Can anyone here tell me what you paid?

Thanks, Merry Christmas.
Tom

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Is $120 dealer price? If so I would check with Napa, O'Reilly's, etc.

Were you checking continuity through the prongs on the plug or directly at the element? I have seen the plug come disconnected from the element and also have corrosion in it. It is extremely rare for the element to go bad.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[tolmsted]

Hello Trent,



Cost was from local NAPA.

Yes, checking through plug prongs after checking cord connection @ block heater was secure.



As far as failure being rare, I have read several posts here in the last week about BH failures. Now I'm having the same problem too.



I still need to know if $120. 00 including cord is a fair price or not?

Hopefully someone will chime in this morning and set me straight.



Thanks for the help.

Tom

 

[GaryOwen]

Cost from Scheiddiesel.com is $40. 02. Know this won't help you since you need it by Monday, but at least lets you know you should keep looking.



Gary

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Might try your Cummins dealer or a local Freightliner or other big truck parts store.

Have you checked continuity of the cord itself while unplugged from the heater? I have seen the cord itself go bad. That would be much cheaper.

Have also seen the female connectors in the cord end being spread and not making good contact.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[Desperado]

I have had the same problem, plugged in the cord over night and the block heater didn't work, left it plugged in and moved the heater cord plug around just a bit and could hear a hissing at the block, replaced the cord end, and the heater has worked for the last 4 years, may be some thing to look at.

 

[Holzman]

Last Wednesday I had both the cord and heater element replaced on my '02 CTD. Heater element was about $91. 00 and the power cord was about $43. 00. In my case, I had to have it installed by a mechanic... cost for 90 minutes labor was $91. 00. Total of about $240. 00.

Looks like you live in Denver... so do I. Had the work done at Diesels Only (Alameda Ave about two blocks west of I-25... . 303-778-6511).

Holzman

 

[BeefDoc]

Check the cord!! I replaced the plug and distal 2ft of my cord last year. The cord was run between the bumper and the grill and was not tight or rubbing on anything. The outside of the cord looked fine, no visable damage or anything. When I cut it off with a side cutter, the wires were gone and where I was able to find some wire, it was green and black, severely corroded. I bought a cheap outdoor extension cord, cut 2ft off (got to good wires) and spliced it to the factory cord with weatherproof connectors. Less than $8.



I suppose with that cord sticking through the grill, it flops back and forth all day long when your driving, stressing those wires and slowly breaking them, but not affecting the stout rubber coating. The wires are very small on the factory cord, 22 or 24gauge.



Personally, I would cut off the plug and 1-2ft of wire and check continuity there before spending any $ on a new heater. If it is the cord and you don't want to fix it the redneck way I did, I've seen the cords on ebay for $10-15.



FWIW

Matt

 

[BRIAN J. THOMAS]

Replace the plug first mine was bad ad the plug

 

[tolmsted]

Problem solved, time to hit the road.

Many thanks to the TDR members that replied above. YES, it was the plug and an inch of wire behind the plug.



By the way, I did purchase a 750w heater w/wire-plug yesterday, Sunday afternoon at O'Rileys/Checker @ the warehouse/retail store for $49. 995 plus tax. Part #Kats 30115.

Now I can add it to my other spare stuff I carry just in case.



Thanks for all the help guys.

Tom

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Hey, good for you! Have a good trip and a Merry Christmas!

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[telliott]

I know its too late, but for future info, i got the heater right from cummins for $22. 00 and a new cord for $9. cheapest place i could find.

 

[Desperado]

Glad to see my two finger typing style helped out a bit.