When to plug in!

[Tony T.]

Kinda undecided if I would need to use the block heater or not. This Texas weather can be crazy at times. I feel that winter fronts may be more of a hassle than there worth for me. Some morning's temps may be in the 40's to low 50's and it takes the full 10 miles to work just to get up to say 170* degrees ( I'm guessing, needle pointing right on 2 of the start of the 200), But that afternoon temps may be in the high 70's to mid 80's. Would it benefit me to plug in on those cold nights using a timer to get my temps up to the 195* range for the 10 mile trip. And is anything say above 140*degree ( water temps) considered safe to shut down the truck (condensation already dissipated). I'm planning on when temps drop even lower say 20's and 30's to use the block heater. Look's like to me this would be a lot easier on the engine to use the heater even though the manual sez 0*degrees with the 15w-40 before heater would be necessary. Just need some input, recommend a good inexpensive timer to use (outside use). Thank's for any reply.

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by Tony T.

Look's like to me this would be a lot easier on the engine to use the heater even though the manual sez 0*degrees with the 15w-40 before heater would be necessary. Just need some input, recommend a good inexpensive timer to use (outside use). Thank's for any reply.

I live in North Texas and have decided that I'll use the block heater when it gets down into the 30's. No timer; I'll just plug it in before I go to bed and unplug it before I start the engine. I don't think it will make that much difference regarding water temps, but warmer oil on cold days is always good. Warmer oil flows into the bearings and other critical parts of the engine better than cold oil, providing you with better lubrication at startup.



That said, the Cummins seems to be designed with all that in mind and not using the block heater in 30*-40* weather probably won't hurt your engine at all. But I'm a cheapskate and am shooting for that 350,000 mile duty cycle, and if using a block heater doesn't hurt and might help I'm taking the 2 minutes to walk out there and plug it in. On those rare days when we see highs in the mid-20's or below I'll leave it plugged in whenever the truck is sitting in the driveway.



Of course, you can always explain to your wife that the truck was a "serious investment" and that you should build a heated garage for it. Just don't be surprised if you end up sleeping out there with your truck.

 

[Dean Upson]

In my opinion, it is not necessary to plug the block heater in when it is in the 20's or 30's. It wouldn't do any harm, I just do not think it is necessary. I will plug mine in on a timer (3 hours before starting) when we get a stretch of cold weather in the teens or colder.



My truck is in a (unheated) garage and it makes a difference if it is out of the wind. If I parked outside, I would plug the heater in more often.



Dean

 

[champspa]

I plug mine in starting in the 30's . It doesn't take near as long to warmup and it doesn't cost that much to plug in before bed and unplug in the morning.

 

[realsquash]

It's been 30 here a few times (WI) and my truck always starts up great w/o the heater plugged in. It only takes about 5 miles at 55mph to warm it up. Well that's after I let it idle for about a minute just after it's started.



Being new to diesels I'm interested to hear when to plug them in. I've heard so many horror stories about diesels not starting in the winter that I don't know what to think!



Andy

 

[nwjetboat]

Dean, What kind of timer do you use?

Wattage/amp rating would be helpful.

 

[dieselpilot1969]

i just leave an extension cord ran to the driveway all winter long and if it goes into mid 30's or lower i plug it in before bedtime and wake up to a warm truck, never really noticed a big jump in electric bill.

 

[rbattelle]

I plug in if the overnight low is below 40. I use a heavy-duty timer set to come on 3-4 hours before I go to work. It's really unnecessary to plug in unless it's below 30, but I do it for my comfort and to improve the flow rate of oil.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by nwjetboat

Dean, What kind of timer do you use?

Wattage/amp rating would be helpful.

I use a 15A, 1750W programmable timer like one that you would use for turning the lights on when you are on vacation. I have used it for years and it does the job. Probably cost 10 bucks or so.



Dean

 

[Ladders]

1. I use an outdoor water proof timer. Its rated for 15amps, has a cover and 2 settable settings. Got my 2nd one @ Home Depot for 20$ +/- and they had a bunch in stock for Xmas.



2. VERY IMPORTANT (shouting to be sure its noted) - unplug before driving off -- been there, done that w/100' ext cord (if I worked closer I could have used it for a safety line )



3. on the y2k, plugged in when temps were gonna be in the mid to low 30's. With the 03, will probably plug when below 30 unless the heater takes too long to warm.



I also usually plug in when frost is expected as I have a heater in the truck that will clear the windshield (HATE scrapping). Its a dual heat and I set it on the center console aimed at the windshield (low setting). It also makes for a warm seat till the heater can be used.

 

[PaulG]

i live in CT and i havn't plugged mine in yet and a few nights it's been in the mid 30's and a few night 30 deg. i figure i won't start plugging mine in till it hits the low 20's which i will set mine up on a timer like everyone else roughly 3 hours b-4 i start it.

 

[TImler]

Ive owned 9 diesel pickups over the last 10 years. I've had every style of chevy, ford, and dodge engines that all those manufacturers made. I live in Wisconsin where it can get very cold for weeks at a time in the winter. I run a winter fuel conditioner and have never plugged any of my trucks in unless I suspect it will get to around 0* or below. I have yet to have any trouble. Maybe I'm just lucky. I make sure that I let the engine warm up for a few minutes in the morning and I'm off. I have to say that these Cummins engines handle the cold better than any other brands I've owned. One other thing to keep in mind for those of you with auto transmissions: If the transmission is below 32* the truck will not shift out of 2nd gear until the transmission warms up. It's a safety feature and there is nothing wrong with your transmission.

 

[Tony T.]

So far alot of good information passed on, but if anyone knows what would be the minimun temperature you could safely shut down your truck(140*,150*,160*,etc. ) You know you have heard that jumping in the truck running up to the convience store 3 blocks away, and shut it off ( this is bad for a diesel to do this). When I first got my truck, had to explain to the better half not to do this. Now I want to know the minimun temp you can do it. Oo.

 

[rbattelle]

Short tripping the engine is bad for both gassers and diesels. However, it is perfectly okay to do it so long as it's only occasional. You won't hurt anything.

 

[PaulG]

Originally posted by TImler

Ive owned 9 diesel pickups over the last 10 years. I've had every style of chevy, ford, and dodge engines that all those manufacturers made. I live in Wisconsin where it can get very cold for weeks at a time in the winter. I run a winter fuel conditioner and have never plugged any of my trucks in unless I suspect it will get to around 0* or below. I have yet to have any trouble. Maybe I'm just lucky. I make sure that I let the engine warm up for a few minutes in the morning and I'm off. I have to say that these Cummins engines handle the cold better than any other brands I've owned. One other thing to keep in mind for those of you with auto transmissions: If the transmission is below 32* the truck will not shift out of 2nd gear until the transmission warms up. It's a safety feature and there is nothing wrong with your transmission.

good info

the more i read about this the lower the temp gets in my mind when to plug but all in all plugging is can't hurt a truck it will only help everything flow easier when you first start it.

 

[Dean Upson]

Hey Paul,



You live about 25 miles west of me and you don't get as cold in the valley as we do up in these here hills. I never have a problem starting up the truck even when it's in the single numbers and not plugged in. I just let it idle for a few minutes before I get going .



Dean

 

[gsbrockman]

None of my last three CTD's ('98 12V, '00 24V, '03 24V HPCR) have never failed to start if it was COLD and they were left unplugged. I only do it to decrease the amount of time needed to develop heat, although there's direct benefits related to pluggin' em' in, too.

 

[ddutil]

Well... I agree with Dean , and plug mine when it's 15 and below (from late December to early March). Never had any problem with my 1996 nor my 2003. On a timer too, 3 hours is way sufficient.



And electricity is cheap 'round here. Maybe I'm cheap too Dan

 

[Hunter1]

Well, this is my first Dodge, and last winter, it got down into the 20's and no problem with start up whatsover without plugging in.



I had a Ford 7. 3 that would hardly ever start if it got below 30F, had to crank and crank so I would always plug it in and no problem.



One thing to consider, if you are traveling from a "summer" diesel zone into a "winter" diesel zone, make sure you fuel up in the "winter" diesel zone so you get winterized fuel. Otherwise your "summer" diesel will turn to gel and you will be SOL for sure.



I had a friend did that, he had to start briquets under the fuel tank to warm it enough to get him outta the mountains. A sudden freeze came in and he had 2 tanks of "summer" fuel in the truck and did not add any "winter" fuel or any kerosene to it.



Hunter1

 

[PaulG]

how about anti-gel solution should i think of using some or does the fuels up here in ct have enough of it in there already?