Block Heaters

Oldjock · November 12, 2014

Has anyone tried the KAT series magnetic block heaters? Where would you place it? I think the oil pan is made of aluminum.The direct injection engines seem to require a longer cranking time to start. Once the temperature drops, it uses more battery power. The factory supplied block heater won't kick in until zero. I would rather an aftermarket heater and battery blanket on a timer which will heat at any outside temperature a few hours before I leave.

thewhitestallion · November 12, 2014

Just curious what is the temp up there? I live in Houston, TX and we are getting unusual cold whether as is the whole country right now for the most part. It is a brisk 50 degrees outside right now but it is suppose to drop to around 40 tonight and mid to upper 30's tomorrow night which is crazy for October. Of course all the degree talk is in Fahrenheit.

kstruckcountry · November 12, 2014

You really don't need a block heater above 0 IMO. Just let it warm up a while. I'd be tempted to leave a battery warmer on all night though.

8.1HD/ALLISON · November 13, 2014

I have factory block heaters, no thermostat as they are older. Love them. Put on a timer so they kick in 5 hours before I leave. Basically have heat on first startup. Clears frost from window fast. Costs 5 cents per hour to run. Cheaper than $4 gallon gas IMO and better for truck.

gone_fishing · November 13, 2014

Has anyone tried the KAT series magnetic block heaters? Where would you place it? I think the oil pan is made of aluminum.The direct injection engines seem to require a longer cranking time to start. Once the temperature drops, it uses more battery power. The factory supplied block heater won't kick in until zero. I would rather an aftermarket heater and battery blanket on a timer which will heat at any outside temperature a few hours before I leave.

Have you verified that the block heater won't work unless it's below zero F? From the manual:

The engine heater can provide

easier starting and better fuel

economy during engine warm-up in

cold weather conditions at or below

−18°C (0°F). Vehicles with an

engine heater should be plugged in

at least four hours before starting.

An internal thermostat in the

plug-end of the cord may exist,

which will prevent engine coolant

heater operation at temperatures

above −18°C (0°F).

I don't have a block heater in my truck but I used to have a Honda Accord that did. After plugging it in, you could hear it making noise in the engine (kind of like a subtle boiling noise). It had to be quiet around the car to pickup on this. Might be worth trying to see if it turns on above 0.

MikeNH · November 13, 2014

Just curious what is the temp up there? I live in Houston, TX and we are getting unusual cold whether as is the whole country right now for the most part. It is a brisk 50 degrees outside right now but it is suppose to drop to around 40 tonight and mid to upper 30's tomorrow night which is crazy for October. Of course all the degree talk is in Fahrenheit.

That's nowhere near cold enough to warrant the heater.

OP, the majority of the engine is aluminum. If you want a block heater I'd suggest the OE one. It can't be very expensive.

redwngr · November 13, 2014

Has anyone tried the KAT series magnetic block heaters? Where would you place it? I think the oil pan is made of aluminum.The direct injection engines seem to require a longer cranking time to start. Once the temperature drops, it uses more battery power. The factory supplied block heater won't kick in until zero. I would rather an aftermarket heater and battery blanket on a timer which will heat at any outside temperature a few hours before I leave.

I can't believe any of that will be necessary in southern Ontario.

Even the duramaxes will start at 0*F, unassisted. Mine has been started outside every day every winter since new and the block heater cord has never even been uncoiled to see if it works.

thewhitestallion · November 13, 2014

That's nowhere near cold enough to warrant the heater.

OP, the majority of the engine is aluminum. If you want a block heater I'd suggest the OE one. It can't be very expensive.

Was not interested in the block heater, I was just curious as to what the temps were in Canada at this present time. that's all.

Dirtbiker · November 13, 2014

Have you verified that the block heater won't work unless it's below zero F? From the manual:

The engine heater can provide

easier starting and better fuel

economy during engine warm-up in

cold weather conditions at or below

−18°C (0°F). Vehicles with an

engine heater should be plugged in

at least four hours before starting.

An internal thermostat in the

plug-end of the cord may exist,

which will prevent engine coolant

heater operation at temperatures

above −18°C (0°F).

I don't have a block heater in my truck but I used to have a Honda Accord that did. After plugging it in, you could hear it making noise in the engine (kind of like a subtle boiling noise). It had to be quiet around the car to pickup on this. Might be worth trying to see if it turns on above 0.

Little black button near the plug in is the thermostat. Won't send power to the block heater until it is at least 18°c below zero.

Liquorice · November 13, 2014

I live in southern Alberta, Canada. (west of Calgary, in the Rockies)

This morning it was -20 deg C when I got up. (That's -4 deg F)

Truck started on the remote real easy. I hardly ever plug in the heater.

sam :-)

soltys · November 14, 2014

The time my trucks ever been plugged in when Christmas last year when it was dropping to below -40, the truck was a month or so old and I was visiting family, so it wasn't in the garage. Other then that, I've don't -25 C without hesitation, it fires. Let it warm up for a couple of minutes and she's ready to go.

If you are really wanting an aftermarket heater though, and effective and less costly option, is an inline coolant heater. It keeps the coolant warm in the motor and thus, keeps the block warm. I've had them on power plants in north sites where your cranking them after days of down time in -40 and below and they do work really well. Some are as simple as splicing them into the coolant lines. But of course I haven't researched them for the '14s

jimbo285 · November 15, 2014

In Fairbanks Alaska it regularly gets -30 for days at a time in December and January. I don't usually plug my vehicles in until it's forecast to get -10 overnight. So far I haven't had any trouble with the DI extended crank times.

pieri · November 16, 2014

I find using the block heater produces heat in the cab quicker and allows the engine to turn over easier as the oil is warmer. Better oil flow at cold temp is crucial at start up.