Engine block heater

October 28, 2003, 01:34:10 pm

Jim and Mary Jo

Over the years I have owned several different types of diesel powered vehicles. A Ford 350 Super duty truck, a Ford diesel Tractor A Volkswagon Rabit, An Oldsmobile 88 and now a ISB powered CC.
Those that live in the northern climates, I mean the real north, Know all about the use of block heaters. it is a normal part of winter driving during winter months. With that said, the block heater is the starter's and batteries best friend as with the engine pre warmed the current load on the electrical system is significantly reduced.
Cranking currents go way up in severe weather.
What is severe weather, listen to your starter. You can tell when it is straining and correspondingly the the batteries are going to become low quicker.

The day I picked up my coach there was Ice on the water puddles in Orlando. The coach started fine but I thought it took a bit long. Some seem to start easier than others but it is the change in this time that signifies either the batteries are getting weak or the temperature is creating greater resistance because of the oil thickening up (Viscosity).

At the farm when it gets to about 40 degrees or less The block heater on for 1/2 hour or so meakes it start like a summer day.

On the ford truck If it was below freezing you better have in connected or that engine would not start (International V8).
The Oldsmobile was much the same as the truck, the so called converted gas engine version.

My recommendation is to try it and observe the difference in starting effort and become satisfied with the results. It may take an hour to achieve beneficial results. I know of no negitive impact to the use of the block heater.

I trust this may help decide when to use it.
Jim Green Intrigue 11021

Re: Engine block heater

Reply #1 – October 29, 2003, 07:42:28 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 6857

How long to leave Block Heater ON or PLUGED IN. My former business had several tractor trailers and trucks (Macks + Internationals) parked outside in the winter. Located in eastern PA mid-way in the state. We have winters that go down to the teens many times at night. All winter long the outside trucks were connected to power for their block heaters whenever they were parked and turned off.
They had block heaters that did have thermostats built-in the heater unit itself so no problem. Now with my past CC and present one I have turned on the block heater whenever I felt it was going to be below freezing overnite and only if I was going to start the engine in the morning. I have no concern or problem leaving the power on for overnite or even a couple of days especially if the electric comes from the campground I'm staying at. (At home it's in a heated garage.) Dry camping overnite in a parking lot in the winter is not a problem either because I can turn on the generator first thing in the morning and activate the block heater that way. What you are really trying to do with a block heater is warm the cast iron of the engine block so that the motoroil from the engine pan does not pump into a "cold" block. In the really cold north Canada and Alaska the winter trucks actually have hot water lines runing thru their fuel tanks to even keep the diesel fuel warm when driving and the have oil-pan heaters to warm the engine oil when plugged in along with the block heater.

Bill-PA-Country Coach Prevost XL 40' 1998

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