OEM Block Heater Installation

Trigganometry

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I live in Massachusetts so our temps can get down that low too regularly. Never needed a heater for gas engines. This Ranger started up fine last winter first key turn or remote started for work runs during the week. I could see it if we got -30F temps as a norm.
Now if you’re running a diesel I can see it. No questions there!
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I had block heaters on my Diesel trucks. In case some may not know, they are meant to be plugged in overnight and not just used as an "instant" heater right before starting the engine in the am. It would have to be really cold as in substantially below 0 F for them to be needed in a gas engine.
 
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tmcolegr

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I had block heaters on my Diesel trucks. In case some may not know, they are meant to be plugged in overnight and not just used as an "instant" heater right before starting the engine in the am. It would have to be really cold as in substantially below 0 F for them to be needed in a gas engine.
I'm sorry but that simply isn't true of our vehicles. From the Owner's Manual

This is why they should be on a timer

Capture.JPG
 
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tmcolegr

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I'm sorry but that simply isn't true of our vehicles. From the Owner's Manual

This is why they should be on a timer

Capture.JPG
My comment stands correct as written. They are meant to be used over night and in extremely cold conditions. The heater will keep the engine warm as the heat is continually dissipated by the ambient air.
Notice the phrasing from the manual "....approximately 3 hrs" and "0.4 - 1.0 kW-hrs"
Run it for 3 hrs unplug it and in a few hrs the engine will be cold again, its basic thermodynamics.
 


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tmcolegr

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My comment stands correct as written. They are meant to be used over night and in extremely cold conditions. The heater will keep the engine warm as the heat is continually dissipated by the ambient air.
Notice the phrasing from the manual "....approximately 3 hrs" and "0.4 - 1.0 kW-hrs"
Run it for 3 hrs unplug it and in a few hrs the engine will be cold again, its basic thermodynamics.
Did you even read my post that says to put it on a timer so it shuts off just before you're ready to start the vehicle? No time for the coolant to "cool off".
 

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Did you even read my post that says to put it on a timer so it shuts off just before you're ready to start the vehicle? No time for the coolant to "cool off".
Try it but if you do use a timer be aware it may not be able to handle the current draw.
 

4rd SVT

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KB3Z-6B018-B – (Wire assembly)
GJ7Z-6A051-B – (Heater element)

Got it, just posting so I can reference back the part numbers when the time comes...

Thanks.
 
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tmcolegr

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Step 3 of installing the heater element is to remove the fender splash shield. This is the same shield that is removed to R&I the engine oil filter. This splash shield is held in place by several plastic rivets which over time can become hard, brittle, and break. I ordered some extra rivets just in case any get broken. Part # for the rivets is W715694-S300 and is packaged as qty 1.

Lastly, if you're doing this job yourself you going to need to order some of the yellow coolant for top off - either concentrated (VC-13-G) or prediluted (VC-13DL-G).

Capture.JPG
 

Bluestem

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We usually get 10 days at or below -10F here in N Illinois and I've never heard of anyone using a block heater on a gas engine, maybe a few hundred miles north of us. We have one on our Ram diesel and it regularly gets plugged in on those nights. We just plug it in at night if we know we are using the truck the next day and it's going to be very cold over night. I don't see any reason to have it on a timer to turn off before you are going to start the vehicle, you have to unplug it anyway, seems unnecessary.
 
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tmcolegr

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...and if you're ordering the truck, option code 41H costs less than $100
 
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Langwilliams

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I don't see any reason to have it on a timer to turn off before you are going to start the vehicle, you have to unplug it anyway, seems unnecessary.
I was thinking of the timers that turn ON not off.
 
 



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