leaving block heater while running engine
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Forest Grove, Oregon
I leave the block heater plugged in all the time.It certainly helps the engine warm up.AT idle with no load the engine isnt burning enough fuel to get the engine very hot,the 700 watt heater makes the difference between running 15 minutes,and having little heat,and 15 minutes,and having a warm cab and engine,both of which are much better for me and the engine.
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From: kingston,wa
what cold water on the back side of the thermostat? please explain to me. after running the BH for several hours, wont the water be at a pretty consistant temperature due to convection of the water, and warming of the block/heat material. maybe a 10* difference, but not cold I wouldnt think. am I nuts?
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Why would you want to do that on purpose? 
The small amount of heat that the BH would add is totally insignificant compared to the heat that the motor will generate just through normal operation. Remember, to be effective, the BH generally needs to be plugged in for a few hours. I would err on the side of caution and say that you really don't want to do that, and even if you do you won't notice a benefit (but might need a new element)....
The small amount of heat that the BH would add is totally insignificant compared to the heat that the motor will generate just through normal operation. Remember, to be effective, the BH generally needs to be plugged in for a few hours. I would err on the side of caution and say that you really don't want to do that, and even if you do you won't notice a benefit (but might need a new element)....
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From: Delta Jct Alaska
what cold water on the back side of the thermostat? please explain to me. after running the BH for several hours, wont the water be at a pretty consistant temperature due to convection of the water, and warming of the block/heat material. maybe a 10* difference, but not cold I wouldnt think. am I nuts?
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From: Walden, NY
Why not invest in a winter front so you don't have to leave it running for 15 minutes every day to get it warmer after unplugging it? I have a winter front and I leave all four flaps open and with mine pluged in only 2.5 hrs I have 70 plus degree heat out of the heater 3 blocks from my house and at 1.3 miles I have over 100 degree heat coming out of the vents. Yes this means I have a thermometer stuck in my vents so I know how warm the heat is and also how well my AC is working in the summer time.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Charleston SC
she's pretty aware of the orange snake's innate tracking ability (i hear it follows some folks to work
).i took mine in to get the high idle enable, but they did not do it. I don't think my mechanic or service writer knew what it was
it seems to help if i idle with mine plugged in, ~10 minutes
never got warm today, ~33 degrees, 30 minute trip ~45mph,
never got temp gauge past 2/3
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From: kokomo, IN
shock cooling is possible. and it has been known to crack the heater and cause it to fail. you should unplug it before turning the engine over. remember the guys telling you differant are not paying for the new heater when it fails. I have had one fail on an 02 .
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From: Delta Jct Alaska
Orange snakes up here won't last a winter...insulation becomes brittle and breaks off at our temps...even arctic blue lines and hoses will get stiff in some of our more extreme temps...like today it was 57 below this morning, so we try not to move anything thats outside.....
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From: kingston,wa
so by unplugging and starting the truck, the element cools off so rapidly as to not be susceptible to thermal shock immediately?
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From: Delta Jct Alaska
Anything is possible...but I have been plugging in, in temps far below anything you have ever seen, and have never had one fail from shock cooling. Even plugging truck in all night, cold water is blocked off by thermostat and doesn't open till it reaches temp and then slowly, by then you are down the road.
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From: kokomo, IN
yes you do plug in in lower temps than I see. do you plug in when the engine is hot? its not plugging it that is the problem, its a hot heater that sees cold water instantly that is the problem. yes the therm opens when the water is hot, in the engine itself. the radiator is not hot and water will be coming in cold. trying to maintain the heat is what causes the problem.
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From: Forest Grove, Oregon
My winter front is a Blizzard 810 plow, i use the truck for ice control,and plowing.I wish my garage was big enough to get the truck in,but once both plows are on,it will not fit.You cannot drive it to warm it up when the trucks covered in ice,or snow.I have a wedge of wood i jam into the throttle to keep it at 1300rpm or so,and with the block heater left on it makes a big difference in how quick the truck gets heat.