How long do you guys preheat your engine blocks , ( not glow plugs) in 0 to 25 degrees f for starting? I have an f250 7.3. Sometimes it sets for a week or 2 before starting and I don't want to leave the block heater on all the time.
preheat engine block diesel trucks
- Thread starter ipz2222
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A lot of variables in the answer. I have an heater on a Case 730 tractor that is 1500W. I can have it powered for 20 minutes and the tractor is plenty warm to start easily even it's 20 deg out and hasn't been started in several days. I have an '01 Dodge with diesel and I've never plugged it in, and it never fails to start!
My L4240 doesn't have a block heater and doesn't need one. The GP light comes on for about 4-5 seconds if it's under 20 deg.
My L4240 doesn't have a block heater and doesn't need one. The GP light comes on for about 4-5 seconds if it's under 20 deg.
Agree, going to guess based on temps.
When I first got my truck I use to just leave it plugged in, being winter and bills going up never gave it much thought. One year I put the truck in the shop (has its on electric meter) and when I got the bill, it was almost what the house was. I hardly ever plug it in anymore, kind of to hard to get to, but it starts fine. If need be, maybe 30 m to hr
When I first got my truck I use to just leave it plugged in, being winter and bills going up never gave it much thought. One year I put the truck in the shop (has its on electric meter) and when I got the bill, it was almost what the house was. I hardly ever plug it in anymore, kind of to hard to get to, but it starts fine. If need be, maybe 30 m to hr
I have a 7.3 as well. When I want to start it and it's frigid out, I plug it in about 60 minutes before I start it.
Has to be below 0 for it not to start on the glo plugs. It's well below 0 here today.
baronetm
Member
Equipment
L3901HST w/FEL, 3rd fnct. BH77 BH, 5' Bushhog, 6' BBL, 42" Forks, WoodMaxx WM-8H
I have a 04 Dodge 5.9 Cummins, it has never ever been plugged in, even when the temps were minus 20 plus and the truck stayed out doors. Never failed to start.
Now it has failed to keep running twice when fuel gelled even with Power Service added at minus 20 plus, but that is not the trucks fault. When the temps are expected well below zero for few days I add about a gallon of Kerosene to a full tank with a dose of PS, hasn’t gelled again.
Now it has failed to keep running twice when fuel gelled even with Power Service added at minus 20 plus, but that is not the trucks fault. When the temps are expected well below zero for few days I add about a gallon of Kerosene to a full tank with a dose of PS, hasn’t gelled again.
FYI, Cummins motors in Dodge trucks all have an intake pre heater. It's a nichrome heating grid that warms the intake air. Cummins has used them forever on those engines.
I learned an old trick to start the early Navistar motors (6.2 naturally aspirated ones)... I rag soaked in gasoline laid over the air intake starts them like summertime in the winter time.
Big trucks (Class 6-8 diesels) advance the injection timing to start.
I learned an old trick to start the early Navistar motors (6.2 naturally aspirated ones)... I rag soaked in gasoline laid over the air intake starts them like summertime in the winter time.
Big trucks (Class 6-8 diesels) advance the injection timing to start.
Get a heavy duty timer and just set it to come on a couple hours before you want to use the truck. We have been doing our diesels this way for a couple years now and saves alot of money on the electric meter.
Simply because a cummins in s dodge has an intake pre-heater. A shot of warm air in the intake will always pop it off..
60 minutes maximum on a 7.3 or a 6.0 or whatever. You don't need anymore and more is just cranking your utility bill and nothing else.
The block heater on a 7.3 in in the casting that houses the oil cooler and is exposed to the coolant side. It's 1500 watts.
The block heater on a 7.3 in in the casting that houses the oil cooler and is exposed to the coolant side. It's 1500 watts.
So do a lot of the SD 7.3. My F250 has one (2003).
Only time I use the block heater is if I know I'm using the truck and it's not parked in the garage (rare). I drive the Mustang almost every day that it's not broken.
My 1997 7.3 don't. Wish it did sometimes. I have good glo plugs and hot batteries. I don't drive the truck in the winter at all. Never seen snow in fact. It's 'hibernating ' in the garage on a tender. I start it every few weeks after a 60 minutes on the block heater if it's really cold. If not, just the glo plugs.
Twin 1100 CCA Interstates.
'97, 7.3 4 door long bed 4x4, full Banks kit, 6 over on 35 x 12.5's, lockers on both ends. Just the ticket for an old man to tool around in. I have a heck of a time just getting in it now but it will go anywhere I want to go and places I don't want to go too.
Here's the intake heater from a Deutz 6206. I put a new one in years ago and have never used it. It's just not required. It's a direct injection air cooled engine that will start easily even after setting for months.
Attachments
Interesting. What is the nipple for? I presume for fuel inlet, is that correct?
One of my friends has a Deutz air cooled farm tractor. Noisy as hell but has run forever.
Motorcycle jugs with a shroud.
Some have the intake heater and some don’t, usually don’t know it doesn’t work until the glow plug harness or valve cover melts, they bad about the relays going out, the valve cover gaskets and harnesses melting, but we don’t have to worry about it much here lol,don’t know where you at but my bota and 6.0 need very little glow to start if any