Block heater...When?

[K00lGuy]

So, being new to diesels I hope this is not too crazy of a question. I am pretty sure the cord at the front of my truck is for the block heater. I have to park it outside since it will not fit in my garage. When should it be plugged in, or should it always be plugged in?

Thanks.

[Vrabel]

I don't plug it in unless overnight goes sub zero.

[TheStepChild]

Forget the cord, get a bigger garage



:)




I'm probably overboard, but if its 32 or lower I plug it in.

I have a hd timer and depending on how cold it is, I set it accordingly. 32 I heat it for 4 hours. 20 - 6 hours. Below 20 - 8 hours

[Vrabel]

I like that better!):h

[minisub]

I plug my 6.5 in under 30* on a timer to give it 3-4 hrs before work. It still hates me.

I have never plugged in, or even uncoiled the cord on my Duramax. It still loves me.

I park outside and can see teens or single digits often in northern Ohio.

on edit - I think the IAH makes a HUGE difference, so LLY guys are SOL, not sure if the LB7 came with them...

[OTHRGRL]

LB7 came with a different style intake heater, one that blocks airflow into the motor quite nicely and often gets deleted. With or without an intake heater I've never had an issue starting in cold weather on a Duramax, my parents' old 7.3, or my dad's 55 F250 with a 6.9L IDI transplant - all without plugging them in. I've had all of them in Northern Ohio winters and we always cycle the key (and glow plugs) a few times to warm up the cylinders then they fire right up. The fords would puff a little white smoke for a few seconds and with the 100% over injectors so would my Duramax. Where are you from by the way? Fill out your info and signature so we all know more about you when we answer.

[K00lGuy]

Thanks. That makes sense and since it hardly gets that cold here I am good. I *think* I could fit it in the garage, but not sure how I would get out :)

Once again thanks for the quick answers...I will leave the cord coiled up under it for now.

[Noreaster]

Off topic but about block heaters. Seen a few big HP Dmaxs blow the block heater out on the dyno, is anybody making a delete plate to plug up where the heater goes?
Not that I need one but Ive never used my block heater for the 8 years my trucks been on the road & Ive heard not to use them if they sit for a long time.

[bluebowtie]

just make sure you dont shut the hood on the cord there have been a few truck burned to the ground from shutting the hood on the cord

[madmaxdmax]

My lb7 has one, and to this date I have never even un-coiled it. Then again,I am in PHX.):h

[whistlepig]

I like to plug mine in during the winter so my defroster starts blowing warm air quicker never had starting issues

[RedBowTies88]

50 and colder.... yea its not needed but i like my heat to work in 3 minutes instead of 15.

i have gone as low as -8 in the poconos without plugging it in all night and she fired right up no problem:thumb:

[OTHRGRL]

Off topic but about block heaters. Seen a few big HP Dmaxs blow the block heater out on the dyno, is anybody making a delete plate to plug up where the heater goes?
Not that I need one but Ive never used my block heater for the 8 years my trucks been on the road & Ive heard not to use them if they sit for a long time.

A normal freeze plug and green lok-tite should do the trick for deleting it.

[dhaynie]

So is the block heater an option or is it standard. I cant find any cord at all. Am I blind or do I not have one.

[jmac5058]

So is the block heater an option or is it standard. I cant find any cord at all. Am I blind or do I not have one.

If you have a Duramax you have a block heater,they are tucked up tight in a tie of wires.Reach around and you will find it. You do know how to reach around dont you.