I have an 2002 5.4L Screw King Ranch with the engine block heater. I plugged it in last night and let it run all night. When I started it up this morning it still took forever to warm up. How warm should the coolant be? When I started it, the temp gauge didn't even move. Does this mean the heater isn't working? Anyway to check? Thanks in advance.

 

Not trying to be snotty, but how long is "forever"? A block heater isn't designed to heat the coolant very much...depending on the ambient temp a block heater can get the coolant temp up to approx. 170F max. if left on overnight. Most engine thermostats don't open until approx. 195F.....if your vehicle is efficient at cooling, it takes longer for the thermostat to open and to get the heated fluid through the heater core, and the heated air into your cab.

You can always slap an Ohmmeter on it too test it, or when it's cold, plug it in and you can often heat a slight "sizzling" or gurgling if it's working.

 

I am wondering how long forever is as well. Block heaters are not designed to have the engine at operating temps right away. It will still take time to warm up.

 

Thanks. This is my first time using a block heater. I didn't know what to exspect. I work 4 miles away from my house. About 7 min drive. The truck didn't get warm till i was arriving at work. I thought that I could use my heater instead of running the truck idle in the morning and it would warm up quicker than that. Guess I am wrong. The outside temp was about 15deg. this morning.

 

Try a pair of gloves and drive to work and it really takes you 7 minutes to go 4 miles? it takes me that long to go almost 10 miles.

 

LOL, thanks, guess I'll have to go and buy gloves now. Most of my drive is thru residential housing area doing 20mph. They I have to get thru the security gate at work.

 

All a block heater does is warm your "Block up'' it is suppose to help those -10 degree start ups so your eliminating all those hard start ups in the morning. and you don't need to leave it on all night that will only make you electrical bill go through the roof, i would plug it in for 2 hours before you leave. its not going to actually heat your entire engine and coolant up.. hope this helps you understand what your heater does.

 

Yes thank you. Not to worried about the elect. bill right now. It's included in my rent. Got to love Uncle Sam. I have to be at work at 0630, I'm not getting up at 0430 to plug it in. Might have to get a timer and hook it up that way.

 

well if your not worried ab your electric bill then leave it on lol

 

I have to admit that I am guilty of "plugging in" my truck in the evenings, and leaving it plugged in.....after thinking about it, a timer might be a smart investment.

This past summer I had a fella here for knifemaking classe who was from southern Florida...he saw the plug hanging out of my grille and asked if my 87 Toyota pickup was "electric"? I got a real kick outta that, and after explaining it to him, he told me I needed a new place to live if it got that cold!