Block Heater??

   / Block Heater?? #52  
And on that front....
I've often set the heat gun up to blow hot air into the air filter inlet to aid starting.
It WORKS!

But since fitting the heat element in the lower radiator hose, I've not needed to resort to the method.
 
   / Block Heater??
  • Thread Starter
#53  
And on that front....
I've often set the heat gun up to blow hot air into the air filter inlet to aid starting.
It WORKS!

But since fitting the heat element in the lower radiator hose, I've not needed to resort to the method.

See I learn something new every day!!
 
   / Block Heater?? #54  
See I learn something new every day!!

Save the method for the cold days. You wouldn't want to set a pleated paper air filter element afire. ;-)
 
   / Block Heater?? #55  
No resistance to anything. Check my OP. What I'm trying to understand is why. Why does a warm block start better than a cold block? If the oil is warm it will flow properly. If the battery is warm it will throw out more CCA. If the intake manifold and or cylinder itself is warm from glow plugs or the grid heater the combustion chamber is warm. If the fuel is atomized properly by EFI it will combust properly. What I'm not getting is what does having a warm hunk of iron around all these other areas do? From what the folks who sell them are saying it's to reduce emissions and bring heat the the cab via the warmer coolant. Is their something I'm missing?
All of the above. You have the secret handshake now! :)
 
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   / Block Heater?? #56  
I can confirm those findings here in Missouri. :) Now with modern technology it's even more efficient by using a timer on the heater circuit. "Back in the day" we just plugged them in and let em heat all night. :)

I can't bring myself to trust the timers. I guess I'm not modern yet, working my way there though! :)
 
   / Block Heater?? #58  
I expect the vast majority will say you need, or at least want to have, a block heater.

Though this is only Ohio, I have, for more than 10 years now, been able to start my tractor diesel tractor, even when it gets real cold, without any trouble. And, I don't have a block heater.

Those people who don't have a good track record, when it comes to starting things, are probably better off getting the heater.

I may have bought a block heater initially, if MF didn't want four times what the fair market price is.
 
   / Block Heater?? #59  
To add to "the bag-o-tricks".

On chilly day starts, I like to motor the engine over with the starter for about 15 seconds before applying the glow plugs and most importantly, with the throttle dead closed.
Without the squirt of ice cold fuel, the compression heating within the combustion chamber is not trivial.
After this heating cycle, the normal glow and then start with throttle is employed.

Sometimes it works fine, when it's -10, like this am. maybe not. A battery that has had the trickle charger on it all night helps ;-)
 

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