Block heater

Lpfm1990 · February 17, 2015

After our recent cold snap here (-15*f last night) and where I go snowmobiling, I got thinking. Might be a wise investment to get a block heater, from looking online. Gm wants something like $185 for theirs. And a napa one is like $70.... Is the gm one worth the extra money. Or is there a good cheaper/more reasonable one? Thanks

sdeeter19555 · February 17, 2015

For what purpose? Unless it gets ridiculously cold, they are unnecessary on a gas motor with synthetic fluids.

You would be better off setting up a second battery for extra cranking power since the battery will still be cold (unless you have battery blankets and a charger).

The bad thing about block heaters is you need a source of 110vac.

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dewfpo · February 17, 2015

The correct NAPA engine block heater cord does not have a thermostat in it, and that is a good thing. I would go with the NAPA unit. It's only 400 watts so consider putting one on each side of the block if you live in very cold temps because it will take a while with one 400 watt unit. Especially on a cast iron 8.1L engine.

DEWFPO

Lpfm1990 · February 17, 2015

For what purpose? Unless it gets ridiculously cold, they are unnecessary on a gas motor with synthetic fluids.

You would be better off setting up a second battery for extra cranking power since the battery will still be cold (unless you have battery blankets and a charger).

The bad thing about block heaters is you need a source of 110vac.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G730A using Tapatalk

Well it was -15 last night. -8 the other night. And where I go snowmobiling was -12 when we left. And I've seen it at -30 down there. Far as power to plug in. No big deal. We have a generator with us. And the light poles have plugs on them also where we stay

scooby5121 · February 18, 2015

Minus 46 degree celcius. New battery in summer and no problems

Engine oil light came on shut truck off and restart,oil pressure came back.

Timmins ontario. Average temperature Minus 30 celcius.

sdeeter19555 · February 18, 2015

Well it was -15 last night. -8 the other night. And where I go snowmobiling was -12 when we left. And I've seen it at -30 down there. Far as power to plug in. No big deal. We have a generator with us. And the light poles have plugs on them also where we stay

That's not even that cold...once in a while hitting those temps doesn't warrant a block heater. There are other things that are more important...I didn't even plug my Cummins in until it was below -15F.

FYI, the 5.9L Cummins (1,000 pounds of engine) only used a 600 watt heater early and a 720 watt heater in later versions. It was more or less a freeze plug-type heater, not a canister. You're not trying to maintain operating temps, only keep it warmer than ambient.

Lpfm1990 · February 18, 2015

Right. Not expecting to keep the block at 180, even if it warmed/held it at 32* it would just be easier on it. Why beat the crap out of it when I can help it/hopefully live a long healthy life

sillywillie07 · February 19, 2015

I installed one in my truck. half ton with 6.2l. Makes a big difference on how quick truck will warm up. I bought on made by kats heaters. It has a thermostat at the plug end of cord. It does not allow heater to work above 0'f They do this because it will cause check engine light. The computer will turn light on and truck will run rough when started due to the air intake temp and coolant temp being to far apart. This is why it only work when below 0'f.

Colossus · February 19, 2015

I ocasionally plugged in the block header on several of the late 80s early 90s K-5 Blazers my department had during the wintertime. We rarely got down below 15 degrees but even then in those warmer temps it did make a bit of a difference when starting up and the getting the warm air blowing sooner. Standard 350 V-8s.