Winter block heater usage

[Marv]

Noticed a lot of folks have started using block heaters now that the temps are starting to fall. I have yet to use mine even though we've seen some pretty cool temps (teens) for the N. Alabama area.

So when do you guys start plugging up your trucks? And how long are you typically heating before you leave?

[Clay]

use it if its that cold MArv, it will make startup a little easier, the heater will be warm faster and the V3 will switch on sooner.
Mine is not working - pulled the cord off...dont forget to unplug it before you leave the house - or i woul dbe using it already. I use mine in the summer time for 1 hour in the morning (on a timer) and my V3 will come on in less than a mile.

[greasyX]

yeah, the wife bought me one last winter,after she tore the old one out.............greasy

[lancaster,pa]

Typically use mine when the temp drops to 30F at night. Leave it on for 2 to 3 hours before start-up. Interested to see if that 2 to 3 hours is in line with what most are doing. - Patrick

[Clay]

my truck could really use a warm block these last few days...acts like the GPR has fryed and its only firing on about half of the cyl. when it starts. I'll test it today and see if i can get a new one from NAPA tomorrow. My turkey day at moms house is tomorrow so i have today to screw around in the shop

[rabidsnowmobiler]

my truck could really use a warm block these last few days...acts like the GPR has fryed and its only firing on about half of the cyl. when it starts. I'll test it today and see if i can get a new one from NAPA tomorrow. My turkey day at moms house is tomorrow so i have today to screw around in the shop

GPR? Sorry, not familiar with that acronym. I'm interested though, as mine starts up the same way if it's less than 35 out and I don't use the block heater.

[Tampa450]

GPR- Glow Plug Relay

[Clay]

GPR? Sorry, not familiar with that acronym. I'm interested though, as mine starts up the same way if it's less than 35 out and I don't use the block heater.

Actually on the 6.0 its called a glow plug module...passenger side on the valve cover under the Alt. it has 2 large plugs into it.
I pulled codes and i have 3 gps that threw a code...guess i'll be wrenchin Sat.

[rabidsnowmobiler]

Actually on the 6.0 its called a glow plug module...passenger side on the valve cover under the Alt. it has 2 large plugs into it.
I pulled codes and i have 3 gps that threw a code...guess i'll be wrenchin Sat.

Did you have a check engine light or were the codes only present when you tried to read them? Maybe I'll try to pull the codes with my SCT tuner tomorrow night...

[Jack_Toepfer]

I've been running my BH for 4 hours before I start it. A friend down the road with a 6.0 runs his all night.

I'll run mine in the summer for an hour next year. Small price to pay for safer starts and quicker switchovers.

Low 20s here, 4 hour BH, 15-20 minute warm up, and I'm on VO in ~2 miles.

[Clay]

Did you have a check engine light or were the codes only present when you tried to read them? Maybe I'll try to pull the codes with my SCT tuner tomorrow night...

No CEL. I pulled codes but not with the SCT...I tryed it but the SCT found no codes...i used y dads superchips tunner and it found 3 cyl. codes for faulty glow plugs. The module seems to be fine but # 2 5 and 7 GPs are toast so i bought 3 plugs and will attempt to put them in tomorrow. The SCT is not a reliable code reader at all.

[rabidsnowmobiler]

No CEL. I pulled codes but not with the SCT...I tryed it but the SCT found no codes...i used y dads superchips tunner and it found 3 cyl. codes for faulty glow plugs. The module seems to be fine but # 2 5 and 7 GPs are toast so i bought 3 plugs and will attempt to put them in tomorrow. The SCT is not a reliable code reader at all.

Looks like I'll have to find someone with a better code reader. I tried my SCT as well, but no codes found either.

[Clay]

Looks like I'll have to find someone with a better code reader. I tried my SCT as well, but no codes found either.

I have never been able to pull codes with the SCT for some reason...then i try dads superchips tunner and it will find em. Pisses me off cause thats part of the reason i got the SCT but oh well...its still a bad a$$ tunner.

[triplemoutdoors]

I have started to use my BH too. Mornings have been in the mid to upper 30's and I started to have rough starts. I plug mine in at night before bed.

[tanya]

Well I do not have to go out every day because I work at home but I have the BH on a timer and it cycles on for an hour in the morning and an hour late in the afternoon in case I have to go out in the evening. Plus my baby is parked in the garage but this morning it was 4 degrees out when I got up and our high was about 20 and that is real temps not counting wind chill. I sure do not want to have to try to start her in that kind of weather with out the BH.

Two weekends ago I had to do a run out of town and found out that at least here in SD many of the motels have plugs for your trucks and I did not even have my bright orange cord. Came home and bought one for the trucks personal use.

Tanya