I just posted this but want to make it known to everyone:

Of you dont have a block heater or even the cord, dont waist your time or money getting it. I just purchased a circulating coolant heater for $80. It turns on until my coolant temp gets to 120 then turns off until it gets to 100 then back on again so 100-120 is what its called. If anyone is interested I will get the part # and so forth. But its a better deal, instead of just heating your block in one area it heats the whole engine. Also with the factory block heaters you cannot leave pluged in all night, you have to buy a timer ($10-$25) and have it turn on about 2-3hrs before you start the truck. If you leave those pluged in all night you will burn elements out. Here is the comparison $80 circulating coolant heater or $15 cord +$20 timer (and if you got the cord from the dealer +$50) I think spending the extra cash for a better system is well worth it. And a added plus, it plugs into your heater line so you get instant cabin heat, instead of having to wait.

 

I haven't heard about burning the elements out. Anyone else have their block heater element burn out?

I do like the circulating coolant heaters, but you have to watch out for those that use the batteries.

The stock batteries have a hard time cranking when its really cold (<0 F) especially if you are not running synthetic oil. Add the extra draw of the grid heaters for 30 seconds of pre heat and the draw from your circulating coolant heater and the engine may not be able to start on its own.

 

Been plugging my heater in full time in the winter for 9 years, replaced the element once and the cord twice. The cord issues were due to some fool not unhooking it before backing down the drive way

Not sure about why the element went, but mine gets used more in a single winter than most guys use in 3 years. One element in all that time, seems pretty reasonable to me.

 

the circulating heater is a 110VAC, when i spoke with the cummins guy here, he said that they get a few element orders here and there, and there is always that chance of burning out the element. He only had 1 bad report on the circulating heater but it ended being a manufacture defect. they forgot to attach the power plug to the heater.

 

I don't know why you wouldn't want the timer with the circulating heater as well. Otherwise your paying all night to keep your engine at 100 deg. I would think you'd recover your $20 pretty quickly.

 

yea no kidding I used to plug my truck into the outside outlet at my house and after a few times of tripping the 15 amp breaker when the outside lights were turned on I found out that I 1. need a different (30amp) outlet and I need a timer so I'm not burning all that extra power when it is still warm when I plug it in when I get home. I would probably look into that circulating heater if my block heater ever dies.. but till then She will be heating my truck every cold night in minnesota...

 

Sevir, sounds interesting! Any more information you can post about it, or maybe a link?

 

Sevir,

I've had a Kat's circulating heater since last fall. Haven't installed it because I cannot find an outlet low enough in the block water jacket. Where did you enter the jacket and how well does it heat from that point?

I've used tha Kat's heaters in the past and they beat the heck out of the block heaters.

 

hi , who carries the ciculating heaters

 

mine should be coming in here in the next few days. I will have it installed and tested and post all the information i can get from it. The guy at the cummins shop said he has one in his and loves it, All he does in the morning is unplug it start it up and takes off, having a engine temp of 120 right when you start the engine sure saves on gas and warmup time.

 

Sevier I don't know what kind you ordered but most circulating heaters for small diesels (like ours) are Carter and they connect to the engine with 5/8" or 3/4" heater hose. They work on the theory that hot water rises and the outlet hose at the top will cook like glass in a winter. They also usually are 1000 watts I feel that 750 watts ( the OEM block heater) inside the engine surrounded by the coolant transfers more heat to the engine than a 1000watt heater connected to the engine by hoses and rejecting a lot of heat to the underhood air. If I lived in Alibama I don't think I would need a block heater.
Jim O

 

I had one and spent a bunch of time trying to figure out how to plumb it. I couldn't find anywhere down low to tie in. I just returned it and will save up for an Espar.

 

The heaters are sometimes found at farm/ranch stores.

 

I will be moving to Washington here in about a year. No it dont get all that cold down here but if I forgot to warm up the truck before heading to work I dont go over 1500RPM until my temp gets to about 110. The cummins rep here talked me into it, I will see how he has his ran and get pics posted.

 

I'm listening!