Gm's Nbs Block Heater Sucks

[Raymond Lowe]

As pointed out in another thread, the cord is about 8" short so it won't reach outside the hood.

 

But here's my beef. It's thermostatically controlled so that it doesn't work above -18C/0F. The owners manual states this as does the tag on the plug. This threshold is too damn low. It should be somewhere around -5C/23F. My starter is already groaning by then. At -15C/5F, it will barely turn over.

 

Tempted to cut the dam plug and thermostat off and splice a normal block heater cord onto it.

[HotdogMB]

As pointed out in another thread, the cord is about 8" short so it won't reach outside the hood.

 

But here's my beef. It's thermostatically controlled so that it doesn't work above -18C/0F. The owners manual states this as does the tag on the plug. This threshold is too damn low. It should be somewhere around -5C/23F. My starter is already groaning by then. At -15C/5F, it will barely turn over.

 

Tempted to cut the dam plug and thermostat off and splice a normal block heater cord onto it.

I have the same type plug on my 05, but it is longer. I'm not ever sure mine works at all. It's -30C in Winnipeg right now, so that damn thing better work!!

[markw8]

As pointed out in another thread, the cord is about 8" short so it won't reach outside the hood.

 

But here's my beef. It's thermostatically controlled so that it doesn't work above -18C/0F. The owners manual states this as does the tag on the plug. This threshold is too damn low. It should be somewhere around -5C/23F. My starter is already groaning by then. At -15C/5F, it will barely turn over.

 

Tempted to cut the dam plug and thermostat off and splice a normal block heater cord onto it.

 

 

If youy truck will barely turn over at 5F, then there is maybe something weak in the systen. Or are you using heavier than recommended oil? I use Mobil 1 5w30 and starting at 0 is never a problem on any of my vehicals.

 

Mark.

[primo]

As pointed out in another thread, the cord is about 8" short so it won't reach outside the hood.

 

But here's my beef. It's thermostatically controlled so that it doesn't work above -18C/0F. The owners manual states this as does the tag on the plug. This threshold is too damn low. It should be somewhere around -5C/23F. My starter is already groaning by then. At -15C/5F, it will barely turn over.

 

Tempted to cut the dam plug and thermostat off and splice a normal block heater cord onto it.

 

 

LOL,I had the same situation this morning.It was suggested to me to pull the cord through the front of the grille,so I did...I don't know why they made it too short!!! Another Winnipegger here suffering from this -30 balmy weather!!!

 

cheers Primo.

[lucasbitten]

Mine is long enough, but I was wondering if it was working. I live in Alaska so I keep it plugged in most of the time. It still feels hard to start...

[redvett]

I have started my 04 in -37F with 5w-30 Mobil 1 like it was summer time last winter. There is no need on a gasser for a block heater above -20F at the minimum. GM tests at -40F and they will start.

[pwall]

On my '02 YukonXL, never used the block heater at all.

I do a fair bit of winter camping with Scouting, so the availbility of a plug for the truck is often times nil.

 

I'll have to re-examine that now the D-max.

[StoneCutter]

I have started my 04 in -37F with 5w-30 Mobil 1 like it was summer time last winter. There is no need on a gasser for a block heater above -20F at the minimum. GM tests at -40F and they will start.

 

Yup. But it sounds like hell. My thoughts are with all the protesting at -27ºC / -17ºF that my truck did this morning, I think I would prefer to have it plugged in. On cold mornings, the starter kind of sounds as though it's turning something very heavy over. THen after it fires up the engine, the engine makes kind of a honk as it starts turning. I just kind of peek out the door and clench the old butt cheeks when I hit the remote starter. Doesn't sound pretty at all. And that can't be good. It might not be doing any damage, but it makes ME feel better, I guess.

[allterrain08]

I'm not sure if mine is working at all either. Had it pluged in last night (-34 celcius) and this morning my remote would not start the truck. Someone told me there is a safety on it, but i figured as long as it was pluged in it would turn over with the remote. When i did start it with the key it sounded like it wasn't pluged in it all. There wasn't a major strain, but there was one.

 

Also, yes the cord placement on these trucks does suck!

[08ZChevy]

Mine did't feel like it was plugged in the other day either. You cannot hear the block heater working on my truck as I could on other vehicles - assuming it's working of course. We'll see later as I've had it plugged in all day.

 

I agree that having the plug controlled by a thermostat is a very poor idea.

[JoshRDavis.84]

My truck turned over a little slow this morning, I think I may install a block heater when I head home to Ohio for christmas.

[97SierraGMC]

i haven't used my block heater yet.. when it gets that cold i just let my truck idle... i dont care if it uses a little bit of gas..

 

with 900 CCA's my truck better start!!

[allterrain08]

i haven't used my block heater yet.. when it gets that cold i just let my truck idle... i dont care if it uses a little bit of gas..

 

with 900 CCA's my truck better start!!

 

 

It's not the fact of your truck actually starting. It's the fact that your oil has the same consistency as a frozen block of butter.

 

Your engine doesn't like that! LOL

[MS3DALE]

Tempted to cut the dam plug and thermostat off and splice a normal block heater cord onto it.

 

Thats what a lot of the guys on here have done,Do a search and you should find the threads on it.

[CJ Hungus]

I just kind of peek out the door and clench the old butt cheeks when I hit the remote starter. Doesn't sound pretty at all. And that can't be good. It might not be doing any damage, but it makes ME feel better, I guess.

 

Hahaha thats some funny stuff! Yeah here in Minnesota its a bit nipply out, but when I turn the key, it hesitates for a second then fires right up. I haven't even checked to see if I have a block heater.