Block Heater

[DUNBAR]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and have a question in regards to the engine block heaters for the Turbo 6.0 Power Stroke Diesel.


I looked up my window sticker,,,,,nothing showing as equipment installed on the truck. Should I go with a Ford Dealership and have them do it or should I go aftermarket?

It is going to be 16 degrees tonight, I figure that if I don't start it until it gets above freezing, there is no harm if I don't fire the truck up. Am I right on this logic?


Thanks in advance for any help. I just "expected" this to be on the truck since it originally came from Virginia. It is a 2006 model, had 300 miles on it when I purchased it from a local Ford dealer.


PLUMBING RIG

[Worm Drowner]

You are not going to hurt anything by starting your truck when it's below freezing without a block heater. Hell, if I did that, I'd never go anywhere. All that heater is going to do is make it easier to start when it's cold. If you have a good set of glow plugs, you should be fine. Just let them fully cycle then try starting. If it doesn't catch the first time, do it again. It will start eventually.

[Rodslinger]

Welcome Dunbar, hope you enjoy Powerstroke.org!
You've got the block heater on the rig, Ford just doesn't provide the cord in all but I believe three states.
Check out this thread - James posted some pics to show you right where it's at;

http://www.powerstrokeforum.com/foru...read.php?t=348

I'm getting ready to start a thread about the cord because I'm looking for one myself and I've a question about the one I found online.

[DUNBAR]

I don't want to take a chance of 15 quarts of Rotella Oil sitting in the bottom of that motor when I start that up. The block heater will allow for that oil thickness to be around 100 degrees. If it is below freezing then I will be prematurely running that motor with no oil getting to the top of that motor. I guess that is why it is so beepbeepbeepbeep loud.

I took it down to the Ford dealership I bought it from and there is a block heater already installed, just need to have the $59 wiring harness installed. That confirmed my suspicion before I got your response Rodslinger.

I did a drain cleaning call for a OTR driver saturday night and gave me a quick education in regards to diesels. He said he plugs his in @ 40 and below. Money isn't an object in regards to what it costs to heat the motor, I just know the day I had that infra-red heater under the oil pan to protect the motor, the motor was extremely quieter than normal first start and even the glow plugs were short timed. I figure that is the key to protecting motor from lack of lubrication @ the top.

The guy also told me to use Howe's Additive when it gets 25 degrees or lower to keep the fuel from gelling. He said it was impossible to keep from getting dirty fuel from time to time, and he also stated that the tank can get mold inside of it, mentioning black residue and that this product stops this. I went to a truck stop and not only did they have a skid of this out front, but almost an empty shelf inside as well.

I am having a remote start/keyless entry put on my truck wednesday, going to set me back about $470 but it will be well worth the money to point and click from a window and get the truck ready to roll without breaking door handles or scraping the glass to leave to go on a service call.


Thanks again both of you for the knowledge, I might ask a question from time to time, most likely I will be a lurker and view other threads to gain knowledge about my rig.

I moderate 8 plumbing forums on the internet so if you need plumbing knowledge, I offer it all for free.

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Last edited by DUNBAR : 11-28-2005 at 03:18 PM.

[jwiger]

Good to have you here Dunbar! i like the remote start idea but it's not worth the cost to me (yet) here is another good thing for you to look into, regarding a mod for a fast idle switch. Some (like Rodslinger) have used the factory up-fitter switches, I personally installed another switch into the knock out plug in front of the turn signal lever. I also did an article on it (you can go to TECH in the menu above or find the link in one of my posts in the thread below. Enjoy


http://www.powerstrokeforum.com/foru...read.php?t=181

[DUNBAR]

Thanks for the reply, I did notice a couple times that when I start the truck and let it idle, most times when it is really cold the idle will kick up, ( I will gauge the RPM's and let you know ) and stay at an elevated rpm until I get in the truck and either tap the break or move the gas pedal. My truck is a 2006 model if that makes any difference or not.

I'll let you know my findings. It's going to get cold soon enough.

[DUNBAR]

Well, I got my harness on today........got it plugged in and all is well. I did get remote start installed as well. Between the 2, $600 installed but I have a glitch with the remote start that they are going to take care of tomorrow.

I can stand 250 feet away and fire the truck up which is great.

As far as the idle, it starts @ 750 initially and @ idle, but after a few minutes on a cold start it climbs to 950 rpms and will not lower until you touch the gas pedal.

Is this the same setup but stock as yours and do you think it is enough to protect the motor from (wet stacking?)

I would recommend the remote starting for anyone. It really makes for ease of use in cold weather.

[alanjet37]

This is my first time here, I have a block heater with the cord that came with my Truck F250, I live in Texas and really don't need it. If someone can instruct me how to properly remove it they can have it. It never gets to cold here in Texas.

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Last edited by alanjet37 : 01-06-2006 at 05:20 PM.

[overl0rd]

You should be able to take the heater out and install a plug of the same size where it went.

[Rodslinger]

Hey Alan! Welcome to Powerstroke.org! Where in Texas are you at? If you're anywhere near Houston I'll take ya up on the offer and remove it for you. BUT are you sure you don't want to leave it just in case you're ever in a place where it would come in handy? Or in case it ever drops below 70 in Texas?