Should a 2001 vp44 truck start at -33 with 15/40 oil and the block heater plugged in for 9 hours? Because mine didn't today. When I first plugged in the block heater I did hear it come on. The cord still had power on it in the morning. Could the element quit in the block?
Thanks

 

Can you check the resistance (ohms) in your block heater? If possible check the chord separate from the block heater. And then you can isolate the problem better. I would also advise using a 5W40 synthetic engine oil if possible. Less wear on your cold starts.

 

Mine was hard to turn over with 15w40 oil. Once I switched over to 5w40 or 0w40, it was a lot easier. Only time my 24v failed to start in the cold was when it was -35, I had 15w40 oil in it and the OFV was stuck open, draining the VP when it sat for long periods. It would fire on only 3 cylinders.

 

I've started my 2nd gen not plugged in around -30c before. Its not pretty, coughs and smokes. Done that test at a few airports parking lots

Did your air inlet grids cycle on/off, and how long was the cycle? If its a long long cycle, I doubt that your block heater isn't working.

The smarty does that three cylinder fire on really cold starts. I run 5W40 oil year round in my fleet.

 

Feel around the block heater. Youll feel it if its working.

Go to Canadian Trash or Princess Auto and get a 200 or 300 watt magnetic oil pan heater. Just put mine on an hour ago

 

Well I discovered the problem that I could didn't notice in the dark, where the wiring meets the plug the press/heat fitting came undone. Something to fix this weekend....,
wiggled it around some and got it working, just going to be ginger with it till the weekend.
I am thinking of switching it to 10w30, it already has leaks and I think synthetic will make it worst, correct?.

 

I should have know it wasn't working when the grids were on for 20-30 seconds..., I might add a magnetic pan heater too.

 

You may want to try this pan heater
There is varying Sizes pricey but man what a different

http://www.wolverineheater.com/

 

FYI, they carry the Wolvarine heaters at Partsource (at least they do in Edmonton)

Have a look at that wolvarine heater site boys - they have a heater for the fuel filter. Now theres a good ider.

 

Guys.

DO NOT use wolverine brand pan heaters.

Sorry to bust some bubbles, perhaps step on some toes, wee-wee in some cornflakes.

We had a terrible run of wolverine heaters up this way, to the point of the dumb things catching fire. They somehow were overheating, perhaps bad glue used in the assembly of the sandwich, but they would blow up like a puff pastry, and let the smoke out. if all went well, nothing caught fire, if all didn't go well.... you get the picture.

We have had 100% success with the original yukon/alaska pad heaters. They just plain work. Key to success with them, is skim a light coat of silicone over the surface of the pad, clean the pan really well with a non-residue cleaner. Use a couple strips of duct tape across the back to help secure it in place.

Now, the real trick to the install. Grab a welding glove, wear it well, plug the heater in, and put it on the pan, making sure it makes full contact. Make sure the duct tape is stuck to the pan while you hold the heater, but DON'T touch the heater with your bare hand. instant burns. The silicone will set up quickly around the edges, making the pad hold even better.

This trick works on a cold pan at -50C, it'll work in your driveway. Good luck.

 

Is there anything you dont know?


Thanks for the info.

 

Man, when it comes to cold weather operation... yeah, there are a few things I don't know. But when I do know something, and I think it might help someone else, I'll let them know, then they can decide for themselves.

On edit, a couple of things. This is the furthest south I've lived since the early 70's, so cold weather has just been an accepted reality, along with what does and doesn't work from experience.

And, judging by post count, I definitely know a LOT less than Dr. Evil.

 

That WAS a compliment !

 

I used them in a lot of applications in the Yukon & NWT
Cat loader Graders anything with big oil or Fuel .
We never had any fires, We had people using them in Warm weather and had them fail but never had one popcorn or catch fire .
I wonder if like everything else they have outsourced like everything else ?
anyways It was just a suggestion. I have one firmly attached to the bottom of my oil pan on the old truck, plus the block heater. I will have to crawl under the truck and have a look see

 

Roxx, they could well have outsourced. I remember when wolverine was accepted as good, if not the best, but there were a lot of instances in the last 3 -4 years, that scared a lot of us.

Not just big heaters either, but the smaller ones as well, down to 80 watt. The first couple, the dealer tried to tell us that we were installing them incorrectly. So, fair enough, then other guys started coming in with the same problems. Now, tell 20 odd different guys that they are doing the same thing wrong... and what happens.

Finally, had a guy from this store out to the shop, he followed directions to the letter, and POOF.

He quit selling that brand.

Don't know, maybe we're just lucky.

I think the yukon/alaska pad heaters were sold under "mr heatpad" the construction of them is totally different