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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
@Config, that KATS heater looks like it doesn't have a pump to circulate the warmed coolant, so the heat just has work it's way around. I'm sure it will help things get up to temperature once the coolant starts moving, but I'm more interested in easier cranking. Would you say it helps enough with that?
I've used them all and they all have done the job. One tip though, make sure you run the extension cord past your driver's side door handle. Many is the man who's driven off with the thing still plugged in. They don't tell you that in the directions..........
@Config, that KATS heater looks like it doesn't have a pump to circulate the warmed coolant, so the heat just has work it's way around. I'm sure it will help things get up to temperature once the coolant starts moving, but I'm more interested in easier cranking. Would you say it helps enough with that?
pservecc,
I never really had any problems with cranking (even without the heater). The lowest it's been here lately in Utah is around 5 degrees F. I'm sure it's a lot different when it's -40. The heater I installed did not have a pump. The unit does have a thermostat but I didn't want to run it all night. I tested it with a timer on for approx 4 hours. You can definitely tell the engine was warm. Especially after I noticed that the 3 month old heater by-pass valve I installed was leaking again. It only leaks when the engine is warm - never when it's hot or cold. I guess I need to go with Mopar parts for that.
Bigg_billy,
I'll take your advise. I can see myself just doing that...towing a torn electrical outlet behind me ;-)
Its nice that you put the engine water heater in. It must get real cold in Alaska. When we are hunting in really cold weather including -10° or more weather, we just open the cabin door every 4? hours or so and click the remote starters on. We have these set to run for 30 minutes. We would put in block heaters but theres no electric there especially in from the road about 3-5 miles or more.
I don't have any problems cranking or getting started either, it's just that the lower temps are harder on everything. We were down to 5F the other morning too, and I could definitely tell when I turned the key. It sounds like that KATS will do what I want. Many thanks everyone.
I installed a block heater in my 99 Mountaner 5L, and my 97 Exploerer 4L
Took about an hour as I did remove the starter to get easier access to the freeze plug.
Cost me about $72 for the heater and cord from my local dealer.
Going to install one on my 06 F250 this week, this one cost a little more because of the funky cord they have with it, cost me $110 for heater and cord.
Nothing like instant warmth, especially if you need to defrost the windshield, and better fuel mileage.
50/50 is NOT enough in this part of the country...run 60/40 or 70/30 the small increase in % antifreeze above 50/50 gives a HUGE increase in freeze protection....check this out for details...
I live in Winnipeg and have seen a few blocks cracked from freezing due to insufficient antifreeze concentrations. fwiw.
and I have used the in line heaters, they work OK but don't seem to last long. The upside to that is theya re easy to change. You know if your block heater is working by the way by listening to the sound of water "sizzling" a few seconds after you plug it in... its a cold weather thing... music to your ears when its -40!
I have a factory installed block heater on mine, but I 've never used it. You need to listen for the "tea kettle" sound when you plug them to be sure they work. My dad used like his, and he would plug it in on cold nights. I checked it once and no sound; turns out they never hooked up the cord to the block heater at the factory. Saved him a lot in electicity costs....
