I know I have seen in here somewhere you guys talking about the block heaters and that we shouldnt use them well last night it was -2 at my house and was just wondering what everyones thoughts were on using the block heater.
Block Heater
- Thread starter tjb
- Start date
dieselrunner
Registered User
I used mine every morning for a season. Hard starts due to bad plugs, just pluged the truck in about two hours before take-off, and It was all good. Things I know about are to not use an extention cord longer then 50' (of one that can handle the Amp draw) but thats about it. Ive read somewhere that some people think the truck has a "memory", and that after using a block heater, it will need one to start, IMO this is false.
fx4wannabe
Full Access Member
I always use mine in the dead of winter. Not sure why you wouldn't want to keep the motor as warm as you can. These things hate being cold.
dakotajeep
Patrolling
Mine gets plugged in if I plan to start it below 50F. I have been that way with all vehicles gas or diesel!
THad
THad
65sixbanger
Full Access Member
yall are lucky that yall dont heve the A 6.9 block. I know some people say tis is the most prone to cracking, but has this actually happened to any of yall?
RustyBolts
Full Access Member
Hey here's an idea for you all to ponder. On our John Deere 4520, it has a coolant heater mounted in the lower radiator hose. With it being in the lower hose, it warms both the coolant in the block, and in the radiator(til the fins dissipate it again). If we leave it plugged in long enough, the 1100 watt heater element will actually open the thermostat! When you go to crank it up, it fires off w/o ether or excessive cranking just like it was 70* out there!
fury9
Full Access Member
well now i'm curious too, the PO said the block heater was no good but I plugged it in yesterday night and I could see the electrical pop when I plugged it in (clear plastic plug ends) started it this morning and the high idle wouldn't engage cause it was warm. So , keep her plugged in every night (it's always below freezing now) or not? I too have the 6.9, from 86 though
Goofyexponent
Mentally Unstable..
Put her on a timer....so it turns on 2 hours before you start her....and shuts off just before you start her in the morning. You can get them pretty cheap and they save you a lot of power in the long run by only heating up when you need it to.
fx4wannabe
Full Access Member
That is a really good idea. CAn't believe I never thought of it. Guess I never really considered how much juice they pull while plugged in.
BigRigTech
Diesel junky
I have a programmable timer, it comes on about 2hrs before I leave for work.... I haven't used it yet this year....No need to with my 2 brand new CAT batteries...
...Still not all that cold yet this winter, hasn't been below -7C yet.
...Still not all that cold yet this winter, hasn't been below -7C yet.
dakotajeep
Patrolling
x2 on the timer. I use for my truck all the time. It gets juice for about two hours before I plan on using it.
Thad
Thad
sle2115
NRA LIFE MEMBER
I think what the OP was talking about was the talk of blocks cracking. I've read where the A blocks were used up through 1985, but can't verify it and they were the ones prone to crack when the block heater was used. Since the OP's truck is a 1984, it might be a prudent concern! Mel has stated that if they've been used till now, he doubts they would all of the sudden crack, I have to kind of agree with that, but who knows what the previous owner did or didn't do on a used truck.
The lower radiator hose heater might be the best/safest option for the A block guys.
The lower radiator hose heater might be the best/safest option for the A block guys.
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