Block Heater?

[GlorifiedHabit]

So we are in a deep freeze and its a balmy -20. Ive got my truck plugged in but Im not sure if the block heater is working. Usually on my other vehicles you plug in and you can hear the coolant start to cycle. On my truck I get nothing. Anyone know how to tell if the block heater is working?

[RB`S Av]

Put your hand down by it and see if it HOT,, be carfule not to burn yourself.

[dewfpo]

If your talking about -20C it may not be on. On my 2005, it doesn't come on until 0F. It's got a built in thermostat in the bulky plug. That thermostat can be bypassed to have it come on whenever you plug it in, or you can get a different cord. I've done it both ways satisfactorily.

 

DEWFPO

[imollison]

I used to live out in Wainwright and worked at the local GM dealer.....every year people came in saying the block heater was not working.....There is a thermostat on the plug and if I remember right, it will not start until it hits about -20C.....and it is not on all the time, it runs a cycle program which I can't remember the time on/off....but it is not constant. It will also not make the block hot.....all it is doing is heating the oil and coolant in the block so it does not become a solid mass of ice. The coolant will not flow as it's own thermostat will not open until it reaches its own operating temp.

[02slt]

there's a tag on the cord of my block heater that says it won't come on until -18

[tanked_darren]

I think I remember reading somewhere the block heater brings coolant to 0 celius?

[revrnd]

There is a thermostat on the plug and if I remember right, it will not start until it hits about -20C.....and it is not on all the time, it runs a cycle program which I can't remember the time on/off....but it is not constant.

 

Is this thermostat new? I've always had the factory installed block heaters & seem to recall I could hear "something" in the vicinity of the heater as if things were heating up. I don't use the heater a lot (never plugged it in last winter), so maybe I was below the threshold whenever I plugged it in.

 

Also, the K05 block heater was included w/ my '04 2500HD, but I see now it's back to being an option.

[mrbojangles]

How do you guys live in those temperatures. I thought it was getting a bit chilly at nights here in Riyadh but I'm toughing it out and still wearing shorts

[GlorifiedHabit]

Huh look at that there is a tag. -18. Sweet, good to know. Thanks

[gmowner4life]

How do you guys live in those temperatures. I thought it was getting a bit chilly at nights here in Riyadh but I'm toughing it out and still wearing shorts

 

 

Same here in FL! These days when it hits 75, we almost have to put 2 shirts on!

[GlorifiedHabit]

I often wonder why the heck Im still in this damn ice box, but then we get this crazy weather phenomena called a chinook and the temp goes from -20 to +10 in a few hours and lasts for a few days. Makes it manageable

[Chris]

How do you guys live in those temperatures. I thought it was getting a bit chilly at nights here in Riyadh but I'm toughing it out and still wearing shorts

 

 

Same here in FL! These days when it hits 75, we almost have to put 2 shirts on!

 

 

F that, i freeze here in nw florida

[meuhey]

So do we need a timer for nnbs so it doesn't run all night or the block heater simply takes charge of this itself???

[imollison]

If I remember correctly, the block heater does not run constantly. It will cycle on and off for the time it is plugged in, can't remember what the time limit is though. I would be guessing, but I think it is 10 minutes on then 20 minutes off, but as I said, can't rememember it.

[dewfpo]

How do you guys live in those temperatures. I thought it was getting a bit chilly at nights here in Riyadh but I'm toughing it out and still wearing shorts

 

Ha, Ha, I feel the same way about the heat as you do about the cold, except..... I can always get warm by adding more clothes. You can't say that about cooling off in the blistering heat.

 

DEWFPO