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hershey

Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA

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Posted: 11/17/06 06:29am

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I'm curious. My first diesel MH and have an engine heater on it. At what low temperatures do you need to use the heater? How long do you need to run the heater before starting engine?
Do diesel pickups have engine heaters?

hershey - albuquerque, nm
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imgoin4it

Alamogordo, NM USA

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Posted: 11/17/06 06:47am

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Somewhere I had a guide as to how long it needed to be on based on the temperature. Don't know where it is anymore, but if about 40 degrees I try and get two hours. If the temp is really getting down and I want to leave the next day I will probably turn it on when I go to bed the night before.

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JKMK

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Posted: 11/17/06 06:54am

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I have a GMC diesel pickup. I usually use my block heater once the temp gets below freezing. I know some people start using them at about 40 deg. I put mine on a timer like you would use to turn lights in your house on and off. I usually set it to go on about 3 or 4 hours prior to the time I'm planning on leaving. Since I usually leave for work around 6:15AM I set it for about 2:15AM. If the temp is down around 5 degrees or less I may have it run longer. The nice part is when you turn the key it's pretty much ready to go. Let it run for about a minute and go.

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djevans

Tennessee

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Posted: 11/17/06 07:07am

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imgoin4it basically operates theirs in a similar way we will.

- some don't feel you need them until the cylinder heaters would be ineffective or take too long (+10 F or so)

- some use timers

- some turn them on anytime you're going to be below freezing for extended periods

- some heat the coolant

- some heat the oil in the sump

The coldest day we've had so far is about 30 F where we started the engine. Without using the block heater, it paused for only a few seconds and the "wait" light went out. Engine started like it normally does.

It might depend on the engine, but I'd say under 32 degrees consider turning it on. It doesn't seem to matter how long it remains on. (although some might be concerned with the power usage, it simply can't be much)

We won't use it at all unless we intend to start the engine. (you don't have to keep the engine warm if it's not going to be run)

I know some pickup trucks have engine heaters, but I don't know if all do. You wouldn't need one for use in Florida for instance. Of course, you might drive to Maine too.

I know ours WILL turn on, even if the temp is 60 degrees or so. So, ours is likely not thermostatically controlled or ours doesn't work. (I don't think we have a thermostat)

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Holly

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Posted: 11/17/06 07:09am

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We use 40 degrees as a benchmark with 2 hour minimum. Nice to baby the engine when possible and should really help on startup. I always turn it off just before startup.

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The Wrong One

Missouri

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Posted: 11/17/06 07:56am

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Turn ours on when we get up so by the time we have done our thing, had breakfast, walked the dogs, etc. (about 2 hours) the "wait" light is off.

hershey

Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA

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Posted: 11/17/06 08:20am

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Thanks to all that responded, I didn't know if it should be on over night or just a couple of hours.
Now part Two of my thoughts. I assume that most all diesel MH's have the engine heaters as a factory installation, either by the chassis maker or box maker. Its easy to see why, most MH's are already plugged into shore power or have a generator.
I don't think diesel pickups have this as a factory installation. What do they do when winter sets in and temperatures drop. I'm sure not all pickup owners invest in an engine heater for average winter temperatures.

waltertore

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Posted: 11/17/06 08:26am

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Don't forget the block heater sucks your house batteries dry in no time, when not hooked up to shore power or generator. This was pointed out to me recently.
Do you have an aqua hot system? If so, this will heat your block as well. Walter