2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How long is TOO long for block heater ??

[continentaldrifter]

Hello,it's been 8-10 degrees in CT. and heading towards -10 overnite. I've got my truck plugged into a heavy-duty timer that turns on at 3:00am and i leave the house at 6:30,is that too long for the truck to be plugged in or should it be set to go on earlier? Is it safe to keep it plugged in ALL night when it is expected to be less than -10 before the wind chill? I use 8oz. of FPPF "Total Power" before each fill up and my batteries are up to par,so initial start up is not a problem,so far. Is it ok to leave plugged in while truck first starts up and sits at an idle for 10 minutes. I would think this would speed warm-up time. Correct me if im wrong



My power steering pump sure does ***** n' moan for the first 15 minutes while warming up,pump reads full,is this normal for a diesel in the same weather conditions? Thanks

 

[Pete Peterson]

You can leave it plugged in as long as you want. I plug mine in any time the temp drops below 40 and have been doing this for 10 years. The cost of electricity is about $15. 00 a month... ..... Pete

 

[Bob Wagner]

Welcome Back Pete long time between posts

 

[afalardeau]

My steering pump moans like crazy as well, I'm in NH. With this latest cold spell I've found I have to back my truck out of the driveway without any power steering and then after that it starts to kick in.



I believe many on the forum have been replacing the power steering fluid with synthetic to correct the problem. A bit too cold for me to be out there doing that, I'll wait till it warms up

 

[FJfonda]

Cold weather steering pump moan can easily be fixed with a fluid change. It is not necessary to go to synthetic... I used the MOPAR stuff straight from the dealer. Pretty simple. . used a turkey baster to empty the reservoir... fill with new... drive to work and back... repeat 2 more times.

Leave the block heater on as long as you want... .

 

[DSiemens]

I have left by block heater plugged in overnight. I know that you will not have a problem, but I would not leave the block heater plugged in while the engine is running for 10 minutes. I think that there is a chance of the antifreeze not being in constant contact with the block heater. With my luck, it'd burn out.

 

[SOOT]

I leave mine plugged in while it's warming up for about 10 mins, won't hurt a thing.

 

[ndurbin]

2 hours is the magic number for my truck. I have my timer set to come on and off in 2 hr cycles if its plugged in all day. Over night I leave it off till about 4 and stays on till 6. Then it comes back on at 7 till I unplug it and leave. I never start my truck with it plugged in. Knowing myself I would drive off with it plugged in.



I use to plug it in all night before I got my timer.

 

[TORQUE THIS]

Burnt Toast, where ya from in CT???



I have left mine plugged in for a week and a half while on a cruise. Not a problem!

 

[PaulG]

okay i guess i'll chime in also

i have been leaving mine plugged in all night ( 7pm-5:30am) these past couple of nights here in ct as well. I also have access at work to plug in so when that days don't go over 10 deg. like lately i just pull up and plug in and it stays plugged in all day here at work with no problems.

i'm with most the 5-6min warm up it stays plugged in. i normally don't plug in at all until it hits below 18-20 degrees so most of the time i don't use it.



i can't see it would hurt a thing or even benifit leaving it plugged in while warming up fluids are passing the heated part to fast anyhow, for me i'm just to lazy to go out and unplug it due to me using a remote starter for my truck starting it from the bed room up stairs every day buuurrr sure is cold



Paul G.

 

[mcoleman]

Mine has always been left plugged in all night when it is below 30 degrees. It now has 132,000 miles with no problems other than the lift pump @#$%^

 

[willyslover]

overnight helps get the snow off the hood also the window. . not to mention defrosting in the am

 

[BDMiller]

If you are able, you are better off driving it as soon as you can rather than idling for 10 minutes. It will warm up quicker, while simply idling it won't really warm up at. I know, it is brutal- it was 31 below last night. I was plugged in all night & it still took a good 15 minutes of driving to start generating heat.

But here is a question that also falls under this heading- how long an extension cord is too long for the block heater? I have to use a 100 footer right now & if we get a lot more snow I may need 2 100 footers to reach the truck.



Brian in NH

 

[Pete Peterson]

Hey Bob, don't want to post too much' people might think I'm a motor mouth..... Pete

 

[PaulG]

Originally posted by BDMiller

If you are able, you are better off driving it as soon as you can rather than idling for 10 minutes. It will warm up quicker, while simply idling it won't really warm up at. I know, it is brutal- it was 31 below last night. I was plugged in all night & it still took a good 15 minutes of driving to start generating heat.

But here is a question that also falls under this heading- how long an extension cord is too long for the block heater? I have to use a 100 footer right now & if we get a lot more snow I may need 2 100 footers to reach the truck.



Brian in NH

it really depends on how big the cord is. if it's those skinny cords i'd say invest in the thicker 12ga one anything smaller prolly melt a 4" wide gap of snow around you cord which is to much resistance. go buy some 12ga cord it won't trip the breaker.

not sure what it draws for power but i bet it draw a bit of juice.

 

[BDMiller]

Thanks Paul.

I have a 10 guage outdoor extension cord so it's probably fine.



Brian in very cold NH

 

[PaulG]

10 GA is perfect



paul <----- very cold in CT

 

[Woodenhead]

My cold weather procedure:



Leave it plugged in all night (or day and night)

Fire it up in the morning turn the exh brake on

Leave it plugged in while running

Go in, have a shower

Leave in a warm truck 20 min later



No problem leaving in a warm truck, even at -30.



Keep yer stick on the ice

Mike

 

[mwilson]

Have seen many trashed block heater elements due to engine running while plugged in. It only has to be uncovered for a second due to sudden rush from water pump, air bubbles, etc. If it loses the surrounding coolant it will bulge and blow the element. I think the only thing keeping all of you from disaster is that these are only 650 or 850 watt units. Big Rigs are 1500 to 2000 watts. It has been cold here as well but I will not turn the key until I unplug the cord. Don't have any desire to change a burnt block heater in this weather. Has been 15 to 30 below in the morning all week and I have my timer set to come on at Midnight, start truck at 5:30 with no problems. Stay warm, Mike

 

[RowJ]

M.W.

"Seen many trashed block heater elements due to running while plugged in"



Is this in CTD's or big rigs?