Block Heater

mjonesjr84 · December 18, 2020

I've been plugging my truck (2020 3.0) in during the nights it gets in the 20's and 30's where I live (southern Indiana) because I'm a volunteer firefighter and don't want to jump in a cold diesel and take off. Granted my truck is in an attached garage, but it still is cold in the garage. When I get in the truck in the morning to start it for work, it comes up on the temperature gauge between 160* and 210* marks. Not sure if the diesel thermostat control is different than the gas trucks.

Edited December 18, 2020 by mjonesjr84

Colossus · December 19, 2020

The cords in the Diesels will work when the temps get into the 30s, don't worry about that 17 degree crap. Even in my LMM Duramax trucks (2- 2008) and the LML (2012) the block heater would engage when the temps were in the 30s. The engine started easier and in some cases, there was already warm air for heat. Get the block heater installed, you won't regret it. BUT let me suggest that if you tend to park it at night and not need it again until the morning, put it on a timer. heavy duty timer. (and extension cord) Why? The block heaters in the big boy duramaxs uses 1000 watts of electricity. And you will notice it on your electricity bill! OUCH. Setting it to come on 3 hours prior to your departure will be plenty of time for things to get warmed up, unless you live up in Alaska or the Canadian north.

Edited December 19, 2020 by Colossus

mjonesjr84 · December 19, 2020

25 minutes ago, Colossus said:

The cords in the Diesels will work when the temps get into the 30s, don't worry about that 17 degree crap. Even in my LMM Duramax trucks (2- 2008) and the LML (2012) the block heater would engage when the temps were in the 30s. The engine started easier and in some cases, there was already warm air for heat. Get the block heater installed, you won't regret it. BUT let me suggest that if you tend to park it at night and not need it again until the morning, put it on a timer. heavy duty timer. (and extension cord) Why? The block heaters in the big boy duramaxs uses 1000 watts of electricity. And you will notice it on your electricity bill! OUCH. Setting it to come on 3 hours prior to your departure will be plenty of time for things to get warmed up, unless you live up in Alaska or the Canadian north.

The "baby" Duramax 3.0 in the 1/2 tons also use 1000 watts according to my 3.0 cord tag.

gemarsh · December 19, 2020

Don't use one of those cheap Christmas light timers. I make these up for all the farm equipment. Take a 12ga cord and cut off 3 foot of the male end and splice this timer in between.

71_340 · December 19, 2020

On 12/17/2020 at 5:20 PM, Grover67 said:

Yep normal temps, it'll steady out more you drive it and temps stabilize. There is alot going on and if you get a chance read up on it on why there is fluctuations on how the cooling system works

-Grover67

Mine is just a needle width passed the middle of the gage once warmed up. It stays there and doesn't move, no matter what. I only have 250 miles on my truck though.

Grover67 · December 20, 2020

On 12/17/2020 at 6:21 PM, jmer98 said:

Where can I find that information?

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

This is a good vid on the 3.0l

railguy777 · January 31, 2021

Today it was -20 C . Plugged in the block heater and it worked. Current draw is 3.5 amps. Glad it works but still not impressed that its has to get so frigging cold before I can make use of it

3.0 · January 31, 2021

On the 3.0 the block heater works all the time the dealership recommends the truck not be plugged in until temps reach-18c.I did this with mine and the temps warmed up to -12 overnight and when I started the truck the engine fan kicked into high and would not turn off ( apparently has to sit for six hours to stop this problem temporarily) finally convinced dealer of issue and their replacing a sensor and a thermostat. There was a bulletin on the issue but when I posted on the issue I got no feedback so I assume it wasn't a common problem.

Minnvmax · February 1, 2021

On 1/31/2021 at 8:46 AM, railguy777 said:

Today it was -20 C . Plugged in the block heater and it worked. Current draw is 3.5 amps. Glad it works but still not impressed that its has to get so frigging cold before I can make use of it

I agree. My last two trucks have had this abysmal system. Before that I was in control of the block heater like it should be. Now it doesn't activate when it should and you can get hard starts and lots of noise. It wouldn't suprise me if it doesn't start one day due to the ridiculous design. Ive read that bypassing the cord thermostat will cause big problems due to the trucks programming. GM should be ashamed for forcing this unreliable and subpar system on cold weather owners. Kudos to the guy that installed his own heaters. The remote start hasn't worked on my last two trucks around -20 either.

Edited February 1, 2021 by Minnvmax

Grumpy Bear · February 1, 2021

On 12/19/2020 at 6:05 PM, Grover67 said:

This is a good vid on the 3.0l

This motor lost me when the transmission has to be removed to service the wet belt oil pump drive. Listen carefully. "Simply" is the word used to describe belt service and...and...and it's no harder than from the motors front. Okay..... :wtf:

People think gasser AFM/DFM is complicated?

mjonesjr84 · February 1, 2021

1 minute ago, Grumpy Bear said:

This motor lost me when the transmission has to be removed to service the wet belt oil pump drive. Listen carefully. "Simply" is the word used to describe belt service and...and...and it's no harder than from the motors front. Okay.....

People think gasser AFM/DFM is complicated?

Eh, I'll spend the cash when I get to the 150k mark to get the belt replaced. It is warrantied until 100k.

I'll take the 24+ mpg in a 4wd truck any day.

Grumpy Bear · February 1, 2021

5 minutes ago, mjonesjr84 said:

Eh, I'll spend the cash when I get to the 150k mark to get the belt replaced. It is warrantied until 100k.

I'll take the 24+ mpg in a 4wd truck any day.

Everyone should be happy with their choice.

Enjoy yours.

flyingfool · February 2, 2021

On 12/18/2020 at 7:55 PM, gemarsh said:

Don't use one of those cheap Christmas light timers. I make these up for all the farm equipment. Take a 12ga cord and cut off 3 foot of the male end and splice this timer in between.

where can i find this timer box online?