Block Heater

[TXFF]

So I brought a Pre owned 250 and I have recently found a electric plug in the front bumper ( I guess the dealership didn't know about it bc they didnt tell me about it). I was wondering where the block heater would be located to make sure this plug is to the block heater and not anything else. second does it hurt to plug the heaters in all night ( before i go to bed) or should I run it through a timer so it will turn on a few hours before I have to go out in the mornings? any other thing i should think about/check. thanks

[mts678]

Interested as well. I read the manual that it does t need to be plugged in until its 30 below? That can't be what everybody does is it?

[jesilvas]

Most have them come on just a few hours before needed

I made my Samsung SGH-I997 send this.

[Alberta Advantage]

I plug my truck in overnight. I also run a winter front grill cover. The block heater in these trucks uses quite a bit of power so that's a downside to keeping your truck plugged in overnight. You can buy a timer and let it run for a couple hours prior to starting the vehicle. The element for the block heater is already in the block. The cord is what's in the bumper.

[mts678]

How cold does it need to get to use the block heater?

[travisH3]

Under freezing I would plug it in. We usually just keep them plugged in. My 6.4 I had on a timer to heat 2-3 hours before I left. But never plugged it in at all last year. I think due to not having a high pressure oil pump, it doesn't have as bad of a time starting like the 6.0 did. U dont need it plugged in but when it's cold and u go to start it u want the oil warm before u go getting on the highway so it's nice to have warm oil when u crank it up

[superduty6.4]

Originally Posted by mts678

How cold does it need to get to use the block heater?

I think I read in my owners manual that it didn't need to be used till below-20 Celsius. I usually use mine at about -15 Celsius and below.

[Alberta Advantage]

The block heater system is most effective when outdoor temperatures reach below 0°F (-18°C). Depending on the type of factory installed equipment, your engine block heater system may consume anywhere between 400 watts or 1000 watts of power per hour. Your factory installed block heater system does not have a thermostat; however, maximum temperature is attained after approximately 3 hours of operation. Block heater operation longer than 3 hours will not improve system performance and will unnecessarily use additional electricity.

[Galaxie]

I plug mine in when it hits 20s and lower. Yes, get a timer. The heater just keeps running. Mine seems to max out right around 120 degrees and at 25* it hits that in about 3.5 hours. If I leave it pluged in all night or pluged in for 4 hours, I will get about 125* ECT.

Get a good timer that can handle the draw. And for gods sake, make sure your plug is a GFCI. If its not, get a cord that is so your truck doesnt go up in flames.

[dieselmatt]

I do the same as Galaxie, but we have 6.0s which are a lot more sensitive to the cold temps.