Block Heater

grywlfbg · **Posted:** Fri Oct 07, 2005 5:17 pm

All,

This is my first diesel and I have a question about the block heater. I'm headed up into the mountains this weekend and temps are expected to drop just below freezing. But I'll also be using the CRD for ski trips this winter. So my question is, when it's cold (and what is cold? I'll be adding some fuel addditive to reduce gelling), should I leave the thing plugged in all night or just half an hour or so before leaving? The manual isn't much help - it just tells you to plug it in to activate the block heater.

Thanks,

Loopkey · **Posted:** Fri Oct 07, 2005 5:35 pm

Here is a link that talks about using diesel in winter it may help.

http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_winter.html

If it is just below freezing you shouldn't have any problems especially if you don't use biodiesel for your trip.

DogHog04 · **Posted:** Fri Oct 07, 2005 6:37 pm

This is my second diesel vehicle. Where I live the fuel stations switch to a winter blend around the 15th of October. I do add a fuel stabilizer with each tank full. To date I have never plugged in a block heater. Even with the temperature reaching -15.F My vehicle is parked outside covered only with snow.

gsbrockman · **Posted:** Sun Oct 09, 2005 10:03 am

I *think* grywlfbg's question was about the use of the engine block heater.

The block heater will aid extreme cold winter (around 0*F or lower)starting by warming up the coolant and therefore the entire block and head.

On my 2003 Dodge RAM 2500 w/Cummins Turbo Diesel, I plug in at bedtime and unplug just before leaving in the mornings. Dependent on what the outside temperature is, I don't think 30 mins. worth of plug in time will help much, if any. I'd estimate at least 3-4 hrs at a minimum would be needed. I'm not sure on the CRD, but on the CTD, the heater element is 700-800 watt rated.....so imagine the electric meter running at a pace of 7 or 8 100-watt bulbs per hour while its plugged in.

With today's newer common rail diesel engine technology and "smart" glow plugs utilized in our Liberty CRD's, I don't think you'll have much difficulty with starting at low temperatures. The block heater will just get you cabin heat much quicker due to the lower cylinder temperatures of a diesel engine vs. a gasoline engine.

Greg

retmil46 · **Posted:** Sun Oct 09, 2005 2:55 pm

Might also help with the fuel mileage when starting off, already having the engine warm. I read a CRD review on www.allpar.com , and they said that during cold weather the fuel mileage really sucked until the engine warmed up. Might be worth plugging it in for that alone.

grywlfbg · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 12:36 pm

Thanks all. I don't expect temps below 0F so won't bother w/ the block heater. I will make sure to add stabilizer before trips (Since I live near San Francisco, I don't know if they switch to "winter" diesel down here since it doesn't freeze and I will likely have this fuel in my Jeep when I reach the mountains). My Libby has seat warmers so that will keep the wife happy until the motor warms up.

Block Heater

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