Engine Block Heater

[pugsy]

First really cold night of the year up here in the great white north (Toronto). Was down to -14 C, so I figured I'd try pluging in the block heater to see how it helps. After I got the plug untangled and corrosion off of it from years of non-use and put some di-electric grease on it, it connected and conducted fine.
The truck fired up beautifully in the morning and heated up a lot quicker then without it plugged.

My question: How long does it need to be plugged in for to be effective? For example, can you run it on a timer so it's not plugged in from the evening before, till the next morning to save energy? Does the block heater use a lot of energy?

 

[v1rotv2]

After being stationed in Minot North Dakota I do have some experience with block heaters. If you want to finite the energy savings it will depend on how cold it will get. It also matters as to how warm you want the engine to be. If it will be toward record lows and you want the engine to be as warm as possible leave on over night. After the engine block gets cold soaked it takes awhile to warm it up. On the other hand if the expected low temps are moderate and you just want the engine block to be somewhat warm just to make the engine easier to start, then a couple of hours should be fine.

 

[fordnut71]

to be energy efficent u only need 2 hours before u start it up to bring it up to temp

 

[glfredrick]

I ran plugged in vehicles all my life -- we just plugged them in when we parked for the night and came out the next day happy...

Of course, these days, electric power is at a premium, so a couple hours in the morning on days that run to -10 or so, and probably all night when it gets worse.

I've seen how hard it can be to warm up a cold block with a smallish heater when it gets really nasty, hence my suggestion to just keep it warm instead of trying to get it warm.

 

[Ih8registering]

where to find?

hello,

i cannot find the plug in cord on my explorer. I know for a fact it does have a block heater however the previous owner never used it becuase he had a heated garage so i'm guessing the cord has never been pulled out. Any ideas where i can start looking?

 

[glfredrick]

The cords are usually tucked up under the front bumper or behind the grill of most vehicles that came with a factory installed block heater. It will be easy to determine which is the correct cord -- it is the only one on the vehicle that can be plugged into a home 120V wall outlet.

 

[Turdle]

Found this while poking around on Sparksaflyn's truck.
It's on the passenger side of the block

Does anyone know if it is re usable , and where to get a power cord for this? The engine is not original to the truck

Thanks

 

[ifergusson]

Block heater cords are fairly universal.Parts stores around here sell them as they tend to go bad after a while.Cheapest route would be to grab one that looked in good shape from another vehicle at the wreckers.

 

[BrianDye]

How can you tell if your explorer has it? I dont recall seeing any plugs on mine, maybe mine was cut or something like Turdles, how can I tell?
Do 2nd gens have these?

 

[celly]

My question: How long does it need to be plugged in for to be effective? For example, can you run it on a timer so it's not plugged in from the evening before, till the next morning to save energy?

Not long at all. I had a brand new car years ago that would not start in prolonged -35C temps. I didn't even know I had a block heater until I called the dealer to buy one and they told me where the cord was. DOH! Anyhow, an hour of being plugged in what all she needed to fire up. A timer is a good idea. You can also find temperature sensitive cords that only give it juice if it's falls below a certain temp.

I used my block heater only if it's getting into the low -20's for a prolonged period of time. We had a few days of -30C a month or ago and I kept it plugged in while at work (we have ample plugs for that reason). My truck is garaged, hence no need to plug in at home.

I think just about every vehicle sold in Canada comes standard with block heaters.

hello,

i cannot find the plug in cord on my explorer. I know for a fact it does have a block heater however the previous owner never used it becuase he had a heated garage so i'm guessing the cord has never been pulled out. Any ideas where i can start looking?

On my '99, it's on the passenger side, tucked up behind the bumper. It's got a little cap to keep the plug clean and out of the way when not needed.

it is the only one on the vehicle that can be plugged into a home 120V wall outlet.

Precisely.

 

[corkey]

it costs a minimal amount a month for a block heater to go all night, but if you don't want it to run all night go to canadian tire and get a timer , set it so the block heater starts working about 2 hours before you are going to be leaving home every morning, that is a good amount of time for it to warm up the engine, , even in -40, ,

 

[fishwish3]

how is it possible to find out if the explorer has a block heater?

 

[celly]

how is it possible to find out if the explorer has a block heater?

Look for the plug. I'm assuming the '01 Sport has it in same location as other 2nd gens. Climb under your truck from the front passenger side and look up while lying on your back. Plug will be visible near the bumper. They've got it sort of tied up and the plug goes into a protective cap when not being used. It can be hard to see without getting on your back and digging around for it. If it's not in the cap, it dangles down and can be seen easier.

From what I understand, Ford didn't install many as standard fare on US vehicles but they're on just about every vehicle sold up here in Canuckistan.

 

[corkey]

if you look in from the passenger side front wheel well, it should be visible, look at the picture that Jon posted so you know what you are looking for, you might not see the exact same thing, but you may see the cord,, i will put up a pic later of mine from the wheel well,
i have to change mine it is making a weird noise and has to be changed,,

 

[fishwish3]

i could imagine them being up in canada, im only asking bc its been quite cold here lately and when its this cold i have a oil pressure problem when i first start up in the morning, and myself being a firefighter, i cant wait until the engine warms up to be able to go.

 

[zecolleman]

Is there a block heater???'

Ok where to look for the block heater cord in 4.6 V8 04 x? If it is install..

 

[zecolleman]

Ok where to look for the block heater cord in 4.6 V8 04 x? If it is install..

Would it be a block heater in car original from Dillsburg,pennsylvania??

 

[zecolleman]

Dillsburg,PA or Chantilly,VA

Ok no one here from Dillsburg,PA or Chantilly,VA or around there. That can tell my if there x came with block heater...Mine was bought there and shipped to Iceland back in ´04