My engine block heater just went out. Can keeping my truck plugged in at night (8hrs or longer) when it is really cold cause this?

 

Keeping it plugged in all night shouldn't have any detrimental effect. Check the cord first and then the heater coil. This link might give you some good ideas...

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...r-t224368.html

Good luck.

 

The vast majority of block heaters fail in the first inch behind the male AC plug.
Replace the cord end or buy a new cord.

You can keep your truck plugged in for weeks and the only thing it will hurt is your wallet.
http://www.genosgarage.com/ENGINE-BL...ATER_CABLE_FL/

 

^^This.

 

Thanks for the replies. Has any one used the oil pan heaters, and do they work well?

 

I use a pan heater when it gets below zero mainly because I use 15w40 oil all year.
Have it wired into the same cord as the block heater with a switch under the hood.
Works good but they all seem overpriced.
I paid about $90 for a 250 watt one.

 

Moved to General Diesel

I keep my truck plugged in almost 24/7 below 35º. I have seen no detrimental effects from doing so. I do this so I can start the truck, wait for oil pressure, and leave early in the morning without disturbing the neighbors.

If you want to see how it will affect your electric bill, find out what you pay for a kW/hr and use the following formula:

Your kW/hr X .75 = what you pay for each hour your truck is plugged in

Example, if your electric rate is 12¢ per kW/hr - 12 * .75 = 9¢ per hour to run the heater or 72¢ every 8 hours.

Hope this helps.

 

You disturb the neighbors when you start it! Warm or not, ha ha I know because I have one that always complains, albeit very nicely, that I wake her up when I start my truck

I believe in plugging in below 45F. I have done this for a few years now and have my heater on a timer so it starts heating at 4:30 and is warmed by 6:00.
My truck starts easy, I get almost instant oil pressure and it is quieter, also my defrost kicks in about 2 miles sooner. I do believe this is good for my engine and hopefully extends the life of the beast.

Plus the timer saves me a lot of money over the course of the winter....

 

My neighbors politely tell me I'm their alarm clock!

I also use a timer to have it turn on about 3 hours before I leave.

My neighbors are going to be confused or late for work starting this week Cuz I'm going to second shift for a little while

 

During the winter my driving schedule is erratic so I leave mine plugged in all the time with a inline thermostat set to 40°F.
Sometimes it probably runs continuously for weeks.
Good thing for cheap pacific northwest hydro-power.