How long do I use my block heater

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Richter, Nov 30, 2013.

  1. heavyhaulerss

    heavyhaulerss Road Train Member

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    I have a timer on mine. 4 hours before I will start truck. have oil heater in oil pan too. I am not worried on the hard to start. I am more concerned on the cold start being hard on the engine. cold engine running at over 900 rpm's while you watch the oil pressure stay at 0 then slowly climb trying to lubricate all parts with the oil thick as molasses makes me cringe.
     
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  3. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    If it's below 0 , and your staying in the truck let it run... If your staying somewhere else, than the block heater will do the trick. As long as your batteries and fuel are ok.....
     
  4. Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

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    Thanks for the replies...i think for the most part on this dedicated account i will keep the motor off and block heat on unless it gets below 10 or so. It cost 35 a night to idle so if i can reduce that, its major.
     
  5. Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

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    I started mine once at 10 degrees...oil pressure was at 35 almost immediately and climbed to 45, but it sounded horrible. I don't want to be that mean to my engine again.
     
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  6. heavyhaulerss

    heavyhaulerss Road Train Member

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    Clang,Clang, Bang,chatter, cough,smoke, puff,puff, now I'M o.k. (diesel engine talking yo ya.)
     
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  7. Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

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    Now if im just starting to charge batts (want to run for one hour since fridge brought batts to 12.5 before cutout.) should I un plug heater? I was going to run at 900 rpms and in this weather coolant normally would get to 140 or so without a load. Would it be better to remian plugged in to keep it warmed while idleing or would that over heat it? its 20 outside right now.

    thanks
     
  8. Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

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    Mine NEVER smokes. In fact i was running down the high way the other day right after hooking to a new trailer. I saw a bunch of white smoke in my mirror and was worried about it because my truck never smokes. I then realized it was snow from my trailer, not smoke lol.
     
  9. Cetane+

    Cetane+ Road Train Member

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    As someone already said, it heats the coolant up to a certain point and can not get any hotter. You simply cant hurt the engine with the block heater working. The only thing that will ever get messed up is the block heater itself if you run out of coolant, and the element is hot with no water. It will then melt.
    You should also get a small charger since you have electric where you park.
     
  10. ODR

    ODR Light Load Member

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    Plug my trucks in even in summer for a short time if I'm able to electricity is cheaper than diesel.
    Got an Esspar diesel fired heater on my one truck so it doesn't matter where I park I can keep the motor and cab warm without engine running. It's almost a must up here in Canada.
     
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  11. Bikerboy

    Bikerboy Light Load Member

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    Ya espar coolant heater is a dream come true, you can even wire it too kick on heater fan in cab and heats the cab too, but only for couple hours, wouldn't work all night unless you get a espar air heater for the cab or bunk
     
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