a77ssii

I am suspicious my block heater is dead. Followed the cord and it ends at a 1.5" dia threaded in plug about 4" under the valve cover and behind the oil filter. After leaving it plugged in for about an hour its still ice cold to the touch, shouldn't it at least be warm? Found this out this morning since its -5F and she won't start.

I was also just informed by the Dodge dealer that it takes a special tool to remove the cord from the heater, is this right or are they yanking my chain?

infidel

If you call a pair of pliers a special tool the dealer is right.
It's just a knurled ring that holds the cord on, sometimes you can turn it by hand and don't even need pliers.

90% of the time the only problem with block heaters it the wires within an inch or two from the AC plug are broken. You can just cut the cord and attach a new plug.

If you have an ohm meter remove the cord and make sure there is flow from each end of the cord. If the cord checks out fine measure the continuity between the terminals on the block. If the element is shot it will read zero. Good is a very low number.

Lil Dog

The truck should start at -5°F. Just cycle the grids a couple times first to get the intake air nice and warm. 1/4 throttle and crank.. Works for me. It will cough and sputter, but should go.

a77ssii

THANK YOU Infidel. I am headed out to do so now, it warmed up to 0F and she is still not wanting to turn over, if the block heater would have worked I am sure it would have fired right up.

CTD NUT

Even still, there is something wrong if the truck will not start in 0*F weather without being plugged in. I wouldn't even have to cycle the grid heater at that temp - one shot is enough and it will fire up. Makes me wonder if your grid heaters are working.

SMOKNISB

If it wont even turn over, sounds like you a battery issues. It should turn over until the batteries are dead. In that temp it will take several hours for the block heater to even be effective.

Dave D(SK)

To check the block heater use an ohm meter to check the resistance between the two flat terminals of the plug. Should be about 13.5 ohms. If it is a little higher you have a poor connection somewhere, if it is a lot higher you have a broken wire or a burned out heater.

Gotlift01

Yeah if it wont actually turn over I'd look at your battery's as being the suspect, a block heater won't really help you out there.

But if it actually turns over but will not fire, I agree with CTD NUT on the possibility of the grid heaters not working.......that would cause it not to start.


~Nick

a77ssii

Got it figured out. Grid heaters are good, the PO had receipts from a year ago when he had them replaced and the intake is hot after a cycle. The batteries were new when I got the truck but they are AC Delco's, I am going to add 2 Optima Yellow Tops and blankets very soon. The batteries load test fine if its 20F or warmer but go to hell in a bucket at 0, that's AC Delco for ya. They have enough to give the heaters 1 hit and turn the engine over for 15 sec. The cord for the block heater had the black hot side burned through and it slightly charred the neutral, cut that off and it works fine now. I have it on a timer coming on at 2:30AM and turning off at 7AM since I leave for work at 6:15. I fought with the knurled ring Infidel directed me to and its locked on tight, I will deal with that and a new cord when it gets back up into the 30's. Thanks for the answers and suggestions everyone.

Eat Beef

Don't you find that the blankets boil your batteries? I did.

dwb80

I just found out the other night my block heater doesn't work either, but it started and way, not a pretty start. but it was -27 outside

b.lee

how can you tell if your block heater is working?
leave it plugged in overnight, and feel what area of the engine?

infidel

You can usually hear it. Most all of the cooling system warms, even the upper radiator hose will be hot.

If you are plugging in in the dark or it 's very quiet you can usually hear and see a spark as you plug the heater in.

a77ssii

b.lee, mine got warm to the touch in subzero weather in about 15 min, I could also hear the antifreeze "sizzle" when it started to build heat.

Eat Beef, I run 1 on my plow and also my 77 Super Scout II, they are put on in the late fall and are removed in the early spring, so far all has been well.