Beating a dead horse about 6.0 block heater

jonny72888 · September 4, 2015

Hey guy I know it's been talked about a lot but couldn't find any definite answers.

The Napa block heater, does it go on the plug behind the power steering pump or the rear plug on the same side?

Also I have a BB tune, I know on my 06 silverado when I added a heater I was getting a check engine light because of a difference in temperature between the engine and transmission. I took it to the dealer and they flashed my comp and erased my tune. My 13 also has a tune and I wanted to know if I'm going to get the same check engine light? I do not have the k05 code and when I was doing the spark plugs I looked around and didn't see the heater so I want to add one.

Formulabruce · September 4, 2015

I have a Ko5, its in the rear on the DS, tight fit for the connector thats on it I noticed. I run a 160 Thermostat, and a big oversize tranny cooler and I have zero codes, and my truck runs in closed loop at -20 oF . I do NOT have any added engine tune that may require all temps up to xx degrees for what it consideres better perfomance. I do Tune my trans shift points and adjust speedo for tire size though. I believ the napa heater threads in the factory hole in block in rear and it made by same company that GM uses , mine was made in canada last time I saw the sticker on it. Many Block heaters for almost anything with an engine seem to be made in Canada, which makes sense.

jonny72888 · September 4, 2015

Great! Thanks for the information. I'm going to be doing this in a few weeks and it's my only vehicle so I like to have everything I need upfront

jonny72888 · September 6, 2015

I have a Ko5, its in the rear on the DS, tight fit for the connector thats on it I noticed. I run a 160 Thermostat, and a big oversize tranny cooler and I have zero codes, and my truck runs in closed loop at -20 oF . I do NOT have any added engine tune that may require all temps up to xx degrees for what it consideres better perfomance. I do Tune my trans shift points and adjust speedo for tire size though. I believ the napa heater threads in the factory hole in block in rear and it made by same company that GM uses , mine was made in canada last time I saw the sticker on it. Many Block heaters for almost anything with an engine seem to be made in Canada, which makes sense.

Do you have the factory Tstat in the power cord? I was going to remove mine so I could use it above 0*. I have a switched outlet I used to plug my last truck into so I would turn it on before I went to bed so in the morning my truck was warm. I dont like the cold starts. I would like to use it arould 30*

I know with some trucks they get codes if you use a heater above 0* not sure if mine would be one of those.

kstruckcountry · September 6, 2015

The thermostat is there for a reason... A gasser doesn't REALLY need it until -20f or so. Even then, it'll start fine at -40f, it just takes half an hour to warm up. But if you want to double your energy bill plugging in a gasser at temps a diesel doesn't even need to be plugged in for, have at it and use a timer.

jonny72888 · September 6, 2015

also what about using a oil heater?
http://www.amazon.com/JEGS-Performance-Products-Immersion-Heater/dp/B007VR6CP2/ref=sr_1_13?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1441551181&sr=1-13&keywords=oil+pan+heater

would that get the same code as a water heater?

jonny72888 · September 6, 2015

The thermostat is there for a reason... A gasser doesn't REALLY need it until -20f or so. Even then, it'll start fine at -40f, it just takes half an hour to warm up. But if you want to double your energy bill plugging in a gasser at temps a diesel doesn't even need to be plugged in for, have at it and use a timer.

It costs $0.03 per hour to run the heater. I would rather have oil pressure and pay a few dollars a month than not.

Back to the question, can it be done without a CEL?

Formulabruce · September 6, 2015

The aftermarket KO5 does NOT have a thermostat in the cord. , just installed one in a friends 6.0 HD truck. I use mine on a timer on days I will use my truck in the winter as it sits for many days un used. I also put an aftermarket cord on mine to eliminate the thermostat. I do run a 160 Thermostat in the LS, so a block heater helps quicker warm ups.

The CORD end that plugs to the KO5 is heat resutant and will touch the oil lines.

Formulabruce · September 6, 2015

Cord and original Plug, I "THINK" this is a 400 watt heater.. Not really a electric bill killer. I have 400 watts in my Power supply in my desktop computer. On a Timer Its not bad. Could also easily run this off a deep cycle battery with an inverter and a solar panel charger for the battery.

jonny72888 · September 6, 2015

Thanks a lot.

Nice to hear the heater will work above 0 and not throw cel code on a new truck.

Silverado4x4 · September 6, 2015

The thermostat is there for a reason... A gasser doesn't REALLY need it until -20f or so. Even then, it'll start fine at -40f, it just takes half an hour to warm up. But if you want to double your energy bill plugging in a gasser at temps a diesel doesn't even need to be plugged in for, have at it and use a timer.

Yeah I don't understand why he wants to put a block heater on a gasser either, hell when I had my 2004.5 Duramax it didn't recommend plugging it in till temps reached 0 degrees F. Yes your going to throw a CEL code.

jonny72888 · September 6, 2015

So your saying that I should wait until it's a necessity before I do it? Cause that logic makes sense. This is exactly why I started a new post. All the others have pages of people arguing about what is a good temp to use it. I don't care what you think is a good temp to use it, if I did I would have asked. I'm asking the people who added a heater and bypassed the tstat if they had a issue. Research online shows some do and some don't. I'm trying to figure out what the difference is.

So back to when you need it or not. I've started my truck in 30 below with no heater, it was a little bit slow. I like the way it starts when it's 60 out a lot better. So I understand that I don't need it but it's not bad to have pre heated engine when you are starting in in the cold. I don't see what the problem is. I'd rather pay the $20 a year it's going to cost me to run the heater than idle my truck for 15min every morning.

Cowpie · September 6, 2015

I guess it is relative to where you live and what you deal with. In the interior of Alaska, I ran block heater, oil pan heater, and battery blanket on my gasser vehicles. In Iowa where I live now, none of the aforementioned. But the pickup sits in a heated garage when at home.

While not necessary, having the block and oil already warm when starting on a cold morning is not a terrible idea for a vehicle that sits outside in a colder climate. To some it would be a waste, but it really isn't a major expense. And technically, it could be argued that getting oil thru the filter and up to the top of the motor is quicker by having it warmed.

We each have our own ideas on what it cost effective and helps us sleep well at night. This issue of block heaters, oil heaters, and such hardly makes a blip on the wasted money for something radar. When we look thru the forums, the amount of money that is spent on nothing more than a fashion statement about a pickup dwarfs any perceived waste from a block heater or oil pan heater. Some have no problem dropping hundreds on suspensions, wheels, tires, lifts, etc and they never take their pickup thru the Rubicon in California or even a corn field in the midwest, yet they want to poo poo someone who spends only a few bucks on keeping an engine and oil warm. Go figure.

jonny72888 · September 7, 2015

Couldn't agree with you more.

I understand 100% it's not a must have item. But for the $60 it cost I'll feel better knowing that when I start my truck the oil is actually moving.

I'm just trying to figure out who has first hand experience with it on my style truck. My older on I got the cel buy I've read that some don't on the 07+

I might try just a oil heater. I also saw a whole engine blanket.

My truck sits a lot and in the winter only gets used for plowing really. It's a 2013 with under 20k on it. I plan on keeping it for 10ish years so I want to do everything I can to make sure it lasts.

Formulabruce · September 7, 2015

If we are going to get this deep, lets look at the aviation industry. Evey "gasser" has to be warmed up, by a salamander heater or a built in heater for a bigger plane when temps below 45 outside, Why? It PREVENTs Wear on the cylinders and non roller bearings.( like our main and rod bearings)

Running a block heater has NOT thrown ANY codes on 3 vehicles I know, a 2004, 2005, and 2007 , 6.0 Engine in HD pick ups. All 3 now have aftermarket cords with no thermostat. 2 run a 160 ENGINE thermostat, and one runs a 180 Engine thermostat, NO codes. AT -25 pugged in , its not blazing hot and engine still goes throught the sequence of getting up to temp before going into closed loop, NO Codes..

You can buy a thermostat on a cord that is used for a salamander heater ( kero or propane) and set it for the temp YOU want the Block heater to come on, add a timer on that same cord and YOU are in Complete control of your Time and Temp.

Mine I set for 32 oF because I want a quick, non labored start, and I want some heat before next wednesday!

A "probe" heater in the oil pan could be a pain if you buy it ,and it hits a connecting rod while installing... my 2 cents.

I am going to taklk to a buddy with a 2014, 6.0 HD truck this week, he has a block heater. Always good to know what year can do what