block heater question

[buglebuster]

My 7.3 would start easy no matter how cold it was without plugging it in, but I usually did cause I liked a warm heater only time it had a hard time was when I needed new batteries.

[HntnFsh]

I can go out and hit the key in my Duramax and it fires right off. Instantaneously. Even in this cold weather. Thats without even being plugged in. The quicker heat would be nice though.

[biggfish]

Diesel engines have come leaps and bounds from where they started. I'm not surprised they've overcome the cold start issues but that doesn't change the reason they invented the block heater. In parts of Alaska and Canada they are used on all vehicles because the temp drops so low the anti freeze freezes and cracks the block. 

[STED9r]

I can go out and hit the key in my Duramax and it fires right off. Instantaneously. Even in this cold weather. Thats without even being plugged in. The quicker heat would be nice though.

got that there fancy ESPAR heater on the frame rail? Its half the size of a shoe box. Nice units and all automatic, never even know its there.

[JackOfAllTrades]

My power stroke will fire right off if cold too. But you're not doing your DuraIsuzu any good in cold weather by just firing it up and driving before it gets warm. -If you expect any diesel to last, warm it as much as you can during sub freezing temperatures.  Block heaters and fuel system heaters are really sweet. 
 
-Steve

[SFD2015]

What kind of issues do I potentially face leaving my 98 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel plugged in? It isn't my daily driver and have left it plugged in for about a week or so when it gets really cold before I get it out on the road. Am i screwing anything up leaving it plugged in like that (other than the environment and my electric bill)? I do like the idea of a timer.

[longrangekiller]

So just curious sence your on the subject I work 10 days in Montana and 4 days in wa I leave my truck plugged in while I'm gone for that 10 days is that bad?

[huntnphool]

What kind of issues do I potentially face leaving my 98 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel plugged in? It isn't my daily driver and have left it plugged in for about a week or so when it gets really cold before I get it out on the road. Am i screwing anything up leaving it plugged in like that (other than the environment and my electric bill)? I do like the idea of a timer.

No issues at all, its like leaving it for a week in 80* temps without it plugged in. Only difference is the added expense on your power bill.

[huntnphool]

So just curious sence your on the subject I work 10 days in Montana and 4 days in wa I leave my truck plugged in while I'm gone for that 10 days is that bad?

No

[6x6in6]

What kind of issues do I potentially face leaving my 98 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel plugged in? It isn't my daily driver and have left it plugged in for about a week or so when it gets really cold before I get it out on the road. Am i screwing anything up leaving it plugged in like that (other than the environment and my electric bill)? I do like the idea of a timer.

Reducing the useful life of the heater is all.
No real reason to leave it plugged in semi continuously unless you get into the sub zero temp zone - assuming your antifreeze is in good shape of course.
12v or 24v?  Just curious....

[Rick]

But you're not doing your DuraIsuzu any good in cold weather by just firing it up and driving before it gets warm.

I disagree 100% . IMO its more harmful to let a diesel sit and try to warm up at an idle. A diesel will warm up faster by putting a load on the engine (driving it) than it ever will by just sitting and idling.

Get in,start the engine,buckle up,find a radio station and drive away. Of course no hammering on it until the engine oil is up to operating temps.

[KFhunter]

Mine has advanced timing - I have to let it warm up

12v

[6x6in6]

Mine has advanced timing - I have to let it warm up

12v

Anything north of 18* injection pump timing and they get really cranky when it's cold if you don't.

[huntnphool]

But you're not doing your DuraIsuzu any good in cold weather by just firing it up and driving before it gets warm.

I disagree 100% . IMO its more harmful to let a diesel sit and try to warm up at an idle. A diesel will warm up faster by putting a load on the engine (driving it) than it ever will by just sitting and idling.

Get in,start the engine,buckle up,find a radio station and drive away. Of course no hammering on it until the engine oil is up to operating temps.

As high as my oil pressure is in my Powerstrokes no way do I drive away without letting it run a bit to thin the oil, that's how you blow seals.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Just found out why my neighbor with the diesel Ford truck has been gone so long--He's in the hospital in Montana.  He was driving down a mountain road and slid off the road and rolled the truck all the way to the bottom of the canyon.  Guess he won't be plugging in that truck any more....