Inline vs plug block heater

Daniel McCurdy

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So the batteries are having a hard time getting the truck started so im looking at the block heaters. Anyone use the inline block heater in the lower radiator hose, seems like they would be a lot easier to deal with. The truck has the heater in the side of the block but i have no idea if it works or how long itll keep working considering how old it is. The block heater is really hard to get to and everthing is covered in oil so i was thinking of just getting the inline heater but i dont know if one works better than the other.
 

u2slow

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I have been told the thermostat gets in the way of flow. Don't know how true that is, and/or it depends wether or not there's a bypass.

The other type is a circulation heater you plumb with heater hose into the block at strategic points (intake low, discharge high).
 

Old Goat

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The Block Heater is 1000W. They last a long time.
I did replace it a few years back when I was flushing the oil out of the cooling system after the OC fiasco.

It may have been the original, and still worked, but it was wet looking around it. Had a new one so stuck it in. The old "O" Ring was starting to show signs of weathering when I removed it.
The truck is an 86.

If I were going to install one and the engine didn`t have one originally. I would go with the Block Heater.

I have them in My Datsun 720 Diesel, the Diesel Mercedes and always worked ok.

I throw a HF Moving Blanket over the engine and it helps to hold in the heat.
The Mice love the warmth too.

I don`t know anything about the Radiator Hose heaters.


Goat
 

Brian VT

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My (1987) block heater still seems to be working.
What is it heating? The coolant or oil?
The truck started fine today at 15F even though I forgot to plug it in. But I assume there's less wear and tear if a bit of warmth is added before starting. How long should it be plugged it before starting?
Speaking of oil...I had to add some today and 15-40 poured like molasses. Maybe I should be running something thinner for winter?
 

IDIBRONCO

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What is it heating? The coolant or oil?
The coolant. You can buy magnetic heaters that stick onto the outside of your oil pan to help heat the oil if you want to
How long should it be plugged it before starting?
I like to leave mine plugged in over night so I don't know for sure. I would think for a minimum of two hours.
Maybe I should be running something thinner for winter?
Since you're in Maine, I would recommend it. Something like a 5W-30 diesel oil should work. Maybe I'm wrong on that and someone from a colder climate than I live in will correct me on that.
It doesn't usually get very cold here for very long so I don't bother to change viscosities for the winter.
 

Greenie

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The block heater applies heat directly to the motor but the hose heaters aren't nearly as efficient since the radiator will waste a lot of the heat. NAPA used to sell the cable that plugs into the block heater. Overuse of the block heater might cause cracking in the area closest to the block heater - I've heard but not experienced. Two hours prior to starting should be enough - leaving the block heater plugged in all night can get very expensive on the electric bill.
 

Ruffnek7tree

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If you were willing to spend the coin, a webasto or something similar is the best thing since sliced bread.. I have one on my 01, and I have one for my 93 that will be going on...

I leave it on for about an hour, and it starts like it's summer time out.. no smoke, etc.. if you don't know, it's a diesel fired coolant heater, circulates the coolant around, has a built in pump.. leave it on long enough, it'll get the coolant to and maintain about 170° temperature..

The only con is they are expensive, but you can find them used, and they are easy to work on.. go on ebay, and look up parking heater.. they're big on European cars because many countries over there you can't idle your vehicle..
 

Daniel McCurdy

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Its been around 0-15 degrees out which is unusually cold. The batteries fully charged were reading 12.5v and when loaded dropped to less than 200 cranking amps around 10v. Plus they died really fast. For the cost of those diesel heaters i could just get new batteries. I guess ill just try to test the block heater thats in it and if it works ill get a new cord for it and hope it stays working.
 

Daniel McCurdy

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Anybody know what the best material for battery terminals are. Mine are constantly getting loose or running out of nut travel, lead is just to soft.
 

Daniel McCurdy

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Iv already tried all that, theres little to no pressure pulling on the terminals. Iv tried loose, medium, tight, and they always just end up loose. I was looking at the deka solid brass gold plated terminals, there a lot stronger than lead should be a lot less likely to loosen and there only 25$ for 4. Or are the military ones still less likely to loosen even though there the softer lead.
 

u2slow

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That's weird. We use lead terminals for all our backup and generator batteries at work. No issues. I switched to the lead military terminals as linked 15 years ago and also no issues since.

Let us know how the others work out.
 

Daniel McCurdy

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I think they loosen up so often cause the old idi shakes and has a good bit of vibration in it, nothing abnormal. Plus the truck itself vibrates a lot at higher speeds. I think ill try the military style but not the 40$ a pair ones but the 10$ a pair ones if these have the same loosening problem ill try the gold plated ones.
 
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