Block Heater??

[David_Kb7uns]

I understand this concept (thickening oil in cold temps) and have seen it first hand. It would make sense to use an oil heater for this right?

So warm oil going into a cold block and oil pump how well does that work? Would say get block heater first and if the pan is that cold add a pan heater. A block heater puts the heat in the middle of the engine

David

 

[TheMan419]

Use your ears. If you can't tell the difference in cranking over a motor with and without a block heater then don't use one. Why do you need data to figure this out? If the machine starts easier why not use it?

Ummm.... because science and data is like you know useful in making decisions. If the study is done right. Just wow.

 

[sixdogs]

When I lived in the far north I could plug my plow truck in overnight and when I went to to start in the morning, everything was better. The auto transmission acted better, the heater worked faster and my ride-along dog felt better. What's not to love. Same with the tractor. No cab but plugged in overnight it partially warmed the trans fluid and the tractor started like summer.

It was different when it was 25 below but down to maybe 5 below F it was just a pleasure to have a heater that warmed the coolant.

 

[ovrszd]

When I lived in the far north I could plug my plow truck in overnight and when I went to to start in the morning, everything was better. The auto transmission acted better, the heater worked faster and my ride-along dog felt better. What's not to love. Same with the tractor. No cab but plugged in overnight it partially warmed the trans fluid and the tractor started like summer.

It was different when it was 25 below but down to maybe 5 below F it was just a pleasure to have a heater that warmed the coolant.

I've not experienced -25 with the ole Ford, and hope I don't. Last Winter I cranked it once when it was 5 above. Like you say, it started like Summer.

 

[Looking4new]

You haven't lived until you experience -60F. lol

 

[buickanddeere]

I have newer vehicles- both tractor and trucks. I've read a lot of posts recently about Engine Block heaters (''tis the season!!) I've visited the websites for a few heaters and they make the claim of reduced emissions (less time it runs rich) and that your heater will blow warm air sooner. But none of the sites list easier starting as a benefit.

I realize in extreme cold like Alaska and parts of Canada it's a different story with fuel line heaters, battery heaters etc. That's not what I'm asking about.

From what I understand the glow plug or grid heater is heating the combustion chamber. The newer multi-viscosity and especially synthetic oils seem to flow better when cold. And the metallurgy is better as well.

So what is the reason folks in the lower 48 are adding block heaters to modern tractors? I tried to buy one from the dealer and he said I didn't need it. I could see an oil heater if things were below zero and you wanted better oil flow immediately, but not the engine block heater. Has someone had a modern tractor fail to start when cold? Then suddenly start with a block heater added? Or maybe someone has a link with good data on the subject?

Been around engines in mild climates for some time but north Idaho is new to me.

Just because the engine may start without preheating doesn't mean that it should be . Or that there are no gains by preheating.

 

[buickanddeere]

Thanks for the info. So far so good starting here but it's only been in the teens. I've had the Duramax at 2ｰf without issue as well.

EURIKA!!!! On the Phillips Temro site with regards to block heater temps. The GM heater doesn't kick on until the ambient air temp is 0ｰf or -18c. That's the type of info I have been looking for. According to GM somewhere around 0ｰf is when I should be thinking about the block heater.

Here is the link-
FAQs

Like I said in my post I understand the oil heater. That is easy enough to visualize and see- pour your motor oil of choice and see what temp it is pouring or flowing at an undesired rate. Below that- add heat!

Thank you again for the info!

I cut the thermostat off the end of the factory power cord and installed a standard 15 amp , 120V U-ground male plug in it's place.

 

[holeycow]

That's only -51C. Really cold. But it gets colder.

Cold is when the fluid in the thermometer goes way down, not even filling the bulb at the bottom of the vial (way below the scale) and hides there for a week. And you have to go out in it every day.

Be very gentle with your block heater cord because it will break off in your hand...it is a pita to put a new plug on at 50 below.

 

[buickanddeere]

Still a good idea to use a block heater on the super duper common rail diesel.

 

[buickanddeere]

Wow - 0.18/kwh? I was complaining when we moved and my rates went from .08 to .13/kwh.

We can thank a wide eyed fanatical green weenie Gerald Butts who has convinced Dalton, Wynne and Trudeau that green is the answer at any price. Plus the techically clueless voters who believe the politically correct 30 second sound bite on the media.