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Engine Block heater

Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:25 am
by dwaxman1
Guys...





Anyone know how to test if this is working or not??





Thanks



Derek

Re: Engine Block heater

Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 10:21 am
by whitehumh2
Connect an Ohmmeter to the 2 spade prongs and measure resistance, if it is possible it could work you should get about 25.4 Ohms. Or you could just plug it in and wait a couple of hours and then feel the block near the block heater...cold as ice...dead...hot enough to cook a steak...working great!!!



Hope this Helps!!



Btw, D VOTE FOR ME!!!



Kev

Re: Engine Block heater

Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 10:31 am
by dwaxman1
seems so easy Kev...I will give it a go.. truck has been struggling a bit over the last couple of days in the morning.. been on average about -10 to -12 when I fire it up.. maybe the batteries are on their last legs..but I have had the heater plugged in so... I am a bit confused, also remember this is my first winter with a diesel...my H2 starts no issue Image well not that I had all those gremlins worked out!

Re: Engine Block heater

Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:34 am
by Roy
[quote name='dwaxman1' timestamp='1294932673' post='24171']

seems so easy Kev...I will give it a go.. truck has been struggling a bit over the last couple of days in the morning.. been on average about -10 to -12 when I fire it up.. maybe the batteries are on their last legs..but I have had the heater plugged in so... I am a bit confused, also remember this is my first winter with a diesel...my H2 starts no issue Image well not that I had all those gremlins worked out!

[/quote]

If you do short runs in the winter with middle aged batteries, you may need to charge them up once in a while.Other than that,new batteries, new starter,connections cleaned, woman driver-- need the rumm rumm,clunk clunk diagnostics <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... oflmao.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':rotflmao:' /> <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... oflmao.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':rotflmao:' />

Re: Engine Block heater

Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:37 am
by dwaxman1
Short runs... damn my daily commute may only be 22kms one way but it takes over an hour so my truck is running for a good couple plus hours a day, should be lots of time for charging...





as for the woman driver...Image

Re: Engine Block heater

Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:39 am
by Hesh
Dumb as this may sound, check your breaker. I popped a breaker one weekend, and couldnt figure out why I was having such rough starts. Also, plug the truck in when its still warm when you get home/to work/etc. The coolant heater wont have to work as hard warming that way.



Good luck!

Re: Engine Block heater

Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:41 am
by dwaxman1
Breaker is good.. that was my first fear..also I plug it in all the time now, at office and at home as soon as I arrive...



thanks...

Re: Engine Block heater

Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:55 pm
by tylerlisk
[quote name='dwaxman1' timestamp='1294936895' post='24183']

Breaker is good.. that was my first fear..also I plug it in all the time now, at office and at home as soon as I arrive...



thanks...

[/quote]

My heater is not working either, its just old and may just need to be replaced. its easy to see the block heater and to get in to feel it. replacing it may be another story, they can get all rusted and corroded which also can cause the problems.

Has your truck been warming up quick? engine temp getting nice and hot?

Re: Engine Block heater

Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2011 7:27 pm
by whitehumh2
I don't recommend using the block heater overnight, they are not designed for it. Granted the coolant is already warm and it will be easier for it to keep it warm than to heat it up from cold. HOWEVER, the block heater does not circulate the coolant in the block nor does the thermostat open and you could overheat the area around the block heater. Normally you should use a timer and have it set for NO MORE THAN 2HOURS before you need the vehicle...this will be more than enough to heat the engine.



You can install a Specially designed Engine Coolant heater that will work WAY BETTER and it will circulate the coolant throughout the entire engine and the heater core...so your engine is warm but so is inside the cab too!



I use one of these on my Massey Fergusson 699 and it works amazingly well! Even at the coldest temps, 1hr hour has the engine starting easily and my Cab is warm and cozy!!!



I would also recommend using a Synthetic Oil...I recommend a 0W-40 or a 5W-40 either will make starting way easier and help to protect your engine from start-up wear!!



Hope this helps!!



Kev

Re: Engine Block heater

Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2011 8:10 pm
by Hesh
I strongly disagree, respectfully as it pertains to diesels. If we were talking about Gas motors, then I'd be more inclined to agree, but Diesels are a whole different monster. Not that I wont concede that the circulating coolant warmers are a definite recommended upgrade, and will make a world of difference, though. I have left my truck out on the road, and when the truck has been left out overnight or for extended periods where I live (where temperatures hit and dip below -30c ) the truck will not start up smoothly or at all if only plugged in for 2hrs prior to leaving. This includes running all synthetics.



Where did you read/learn that the block heaters (actually coolant heaters in our trucks) werent meant to be plugged in overnight?