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countrypair · 10-12-2014, 07:25 PM

The temps here in Northeast Ohio have been dipping down in the high 30's in the morning. We will be heading for FL next Sat. My question is when is the right time to use the block heater? We will be heading out early in the morning, so I was wondering if I should put the block heater on the night before?

Any input would be appreciated.

1mainiac · 10-12-2014, 07:35 PM

yep plug it in the night before it is not a huge amount of heat in really cold weather however it will speed up starting and engine warm up.

spike45 · 10-12-2014, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by countrypair

The temps here in Northeast Ohio have been dipping down in the high 30's in the morning. We will be heading for FL next Sat. My question is when is the right time to use the block heater? We will be heading out early in the morning, so I was wondering if I should put the block heater on the night before?

Any input would be appreciated.

properly sizes gwater elements wull run conyinuously without a melt downproviding the coolant can rise without restriction or localized boiling will burb the element out. thermostatic heater controls only save energy costs but do not control the temp of the coolant, immersion heater locations usually do not have flow issues. external tank typ heaters have more of those issues mainly due to improper installation of the hoses and oriebtation of the tank, use the manufacturere's instructiobs do not try anything creative on your part. most fail from kinkrd hoses which slow cool movement upward past he element. during the day plugin and check to se if the thermostat housing and the water outlet hose is warm. or you could install atimer switch to fire it up two hours before starting. if the element fails do not replace with a fleetguard product. they arecheaply made. look for Philips Temro or Kim Hotstart. both are top quality ask your ummins dealer whose heaters they sell

http://www.hotstart.com/en/

sdlowe11 · 10-13-2014, 07:41 AM

I have been plugging in the block heater on my ISL for about 3 hours prior to start-up in any temperatures below 50 degrees outside air temp. I know of no reason not to, and when I do the engine starts up and purrs at idle without the "surging" that the intake heating element would otherwise cause as the engine warms up.
~Steve

MnTom · 10-13-2014, 09:07 AM

Generally, there won't be a temperature cold enough to require the block heater to be used with a motorhome. I live in northern Minnesota and I usually don't plug my 5.9 Cummins in until the temperature is going to be about 0*. Yes, the heaters do help them warm up, but they are not necessary. The best way to warm up the engine (according to Cummins, Cat, Detroit, MBE, etc.) is to start it up, let the oil pressure get to the normal range, and then start driving EASILY until you see some temperature on the gauge.

Ray,IN · 10-13-2014, 10:16 AM

I've developed a habit of using the engine coolant heater any time it is 50F or below. This shortens time to normal temperature enough to provide dash-heat by the time we get on the road. It should be used at freezing and below to reduce starter motor strain, not because the engine requires it. I'm hoping it lengthens starter lifespan.

Coma · 10-15-2014, 06:16 AM

There is no downside to starting with a warm engine. I use the block heater the night before, then turn on the Aqua Hot heater a couple of hours before start.