Ford Block Heater

[Pull Toy]

I need some info regarding the "factory stock" block heater on my 6.0 Power Stroke. It will be parked outside overnight in a cold Connecticut winter. I am planning to use an Anti-Gel fuel additive. So that has not been a problem.

Does anyone have any info on spec's? I'm curious about whether there is a thermostatic control on these units. In the past I plugged in when I took the dogs out at 11:00 pm if I expected 40 deg or less. I've been thinking that I may have been wasting energy ($$$). If it runs non stop all night, I might want a timer, as I was told that 2 to 3 hours plugged in will do the job. Should I use a timer, and if so, how many watts should I allow for?

Any input would be appreciated, Thanks in advance,

[Jim & DJ]

Don't know if this helps but I have a 2007 F350D, New to me in 2006 with factory block heater. Live in Northern Utah where it get below 0 and leave the block heater plugged in 24 hour a day when needed. I think it MAY HAVE it's own thermostat keeping the temp at a desired level. Hope this helps...


USN, 48-52

[JRTJH]

From the information I can find, the 6.0, 6.4 and 6.7L diesels all use the same block heater. I didn't find any "useful" information in the 2006 owner's manual, but the following is a part of the 2015 owner's manual. If (and I believe they are) all the block heaters are the same, then yours would have the same power usage as mine. The following is a quote from the 2015 owner's manual:

The heater uses 0.4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours
of energy per hour of use. The system does
not have a thermostat. It achieves
maximum temperature after
approximately three hours of operation.
Using the heater longer than three hours
does not improve system performance and
unnecessarily uses electricity.

[hankaye]

Pull Toy, Howdy;

You probably won't have any problems until the temps. get below 0ºF.
provided you are using the recommended weight oil.
The 3 hour rule is a good one to follow. So, if you want to start the truck
at 6:00am have your timer set for 02:30 am to 03:00am.

hankaye

[chuckster57]

Only thing I can add is nobody has ever mentioned any thermostat control on the Ford truck forum I belong to. Only thing they say is to use a timer and extension cord rated for the load, and turn it on 2-4 hours before you want to start the truck.

[Javi]

Back when I lived where I needed a block heater (8300 ft outside Denver), I would plug it in each morning when I turned on the coffee pot.. by the time I drank a cup, showered and dressed it would be warm enough...

[notanlines]

Pull Toy, these numbers are approximate, but probably within 15% or so. Generally a block heater is in the 1000 watt range. Let's say you plug it in at 11 and turn it off at 6. 7 hours a night uses 7000 watt/hours with electricity being about $85/1000kwh in Memphis will cost you about 60 cents per night. I suppose Connecticut juice is slightly higher than TVA juice so you'll have to go from there. I might also add, not many of us out here plugging our trucks at 40 degrees......

[gary31]

I am new to the diesel market but bought a used f250 and it says it has a block heater, but where is the plug to plug into the ac cord located?

[hankaye]

gary31, Howdy;

Should be on the Passenger's side (gas on Driver's), right near the tow
hook. It my be tucked up behind the bumper. If it was in an area where
the previous owner thought it wasn't needed they may have tucked it up
there.

hankaye

[Pull Toy]

All of the Power Strokes have the block heater installed at the factory. I don't know about other years, but in 2006 the power cord was a dealer n/c option that had to be factory ordered with the truck in cold weather states. (Kind of like a front License Plate Bracket, for the states that have two plates). If you don't have one, the Ford OEM cord was around $120 a few years ago. I bought an aftermarket one on E-Bay for about $20.00 plus shipping. The only visible difference is that the Ford OEM has a molded rubber cover for the plug when not in use. I do the same thing with a baggie.

I also noticed that if I plugged in to the extension cord to the house (20') while cold, I had a minor spark at the plug. I bought a short (3') 20 amp extension cord, like you would use for a household A/C unit, and leave the truck plug plugged into this with a little dielectric grease. That way the plug and cord are protected from corrosion, and gradual degradation from sparking. The new "short cord" is cheap, and easier to replace if needed. It stores nicely behind the bumper with just two Zip Ties.

Hope this helps

[chuckster57]

All the way back to the 80's, the IH engines installed in Ford trucks had block heaters from the factory. Early 6.9 had issues with the block cracking at the heater.

[C130]

My 2015 F450 doesn't have the block heater but my 2011 F250 did have it. I may move to Colorado within the next year or two so will need to have it installed. Anyone had the dealer install it and what did they charge? I may have them do it when it's time for the coolant flush.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by C130

My 2015 F450 doesn't have the block heater but my 2011 F250 did have it. I may move to Colorado within the next year or two so will need to have it installed. Anyone had the dealer install it and what did they charge? I may have them do it when it's time for the coolant flush.

I may be wrong and this could possibly not apply to trucks shipped to Texas, but when we were looking for our 2015 diesel F250, every diesel we looked at had the block heater installed. The "difference" was whether or not there was a "electrical wire/plug" connected or not. All of the trucks in Michigan had it installed (no option, it's a standard feature) but all of the trucks in Ohio did not have the "plug" installed (and so reflected on the window sticker). I crawled under 3 trucks in Ohio and they all had the block heater installed and in the same place as the trucks in Michigan. The only thing missing was the wiring harness. There was one truck in Ohio that did have the wiring harness/plug and the window sticker reflected "Block Heater... $75"

So, you might want to get on a creeper and check out what's really under your truck before you go paying the dealer $150-200 to install something that's already there..... You can buy the wiring harness/plug for about $30 on Ebay or even on Amazon (at times). It's a simple "plug and play" assuming trucks shipped to Texas have the same engine options as trucks shipped to Ohio and Michigan.

ADDED: I am posting a few pictures of the block heater and location. It's listed as "HEATING UNIT - 2015 Ford Super Duty (BC3Z6A051A)" with a price of $22.62. As you can see, it screws into the engine block and if not "used" there is a screw-on cap that covers the electrical connections/threaded connector on the outside of the engine. It is located on the passenger's side, back of the engine, above the frame rail. It's not impossible to see, but you have to know where to look and get "in there" to see it. In the last picture, the arrow on the far left, you can see the orange block heater connector and the block heater along the shaft of the arrow. (the 3 arrows are pointing to the wiring harness attachment points on the frame) Pictures are not mine, but I found them online to illustrate the post.

[larry337]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

I may be wrong on this, but when we were looking for our 2015 diesel F250, every diesel we looked at had the block heater installed. The "difference" was whether or not there was a "electrical wire/plug" connected or not. All of the trucks in Michigan had it installed (no option, it's a standard feature) but all of the trucks in Ohio did not have the "plug" installed (and so reflected on the window sticker). I crawled under 3 trucks in Ohio and they all had the block heater installed and in the same place as the trucks in Michigan. The only thing missing was the wiring harness. There was one truck in Ohio that did have the wiring harness/plug and the window sticker reflected "Block Heater... $75"

So, you might want to get on a creeper and check out what's really under your truck before you go paying the dealer $150-200 to install something that's already there..... You can buy the wiring harness/plug for about $30 on Ebay or even on Amazon (at times). It's a simple "plug and play" assuming trucks shipped to Texas have the same engine options as trucks shipped to Ohio and Michigan.

I was told the same thing. They all have the block heater. The $75 option is for the cord.

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[Larry1013]

I do not think block heaters are installed now unless you or the dealer ordered the truck with it. I know I had to specify and pay for the block heater to be installed since I am in a southern state. There is a list of states it is standard.

this is from the 2016 Ford Super Duty order guide

Engine Block Heater (Std. in AK, CO, IA, ID,ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NH, NY, SD, VT, WI, WY)

There is a plug int he block where the heater goes. You can order the parts.

BC3Z-6A051-A HEATING UNIT 6.7 LITER, ENGINE BLOCK $35.27 $21.64
BC3Z-6B018-H WIRE 6.7 LITER $96.58 $63.75


or from eBay

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...eater&_sacat=0

[larry337]

This will be my first winter with a 6.7. But these new fuel injection systems are much improved and different from the older trucks. A block heater may not even be necessary for most people. My 6.4 started with zero effort in temperatures down to minus 15 for the last two winters. But I agree with the rapid heat option and or heated seats, diesels do take a while to produce any cab heat in those temperatures.

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[hankaye]

larry337, Howdy;

Block Heaters are for warming the oil, the block also gets the benefit along
with the cooling system. With warmer oil the engine turns over easier thus
saving the starter and helps keep the batteries from running down from
trying to make it all move when its cold and the viscosity thickens.
Quicker warn-ups are an added benefit as well.
Yes we have thinner oils then when our granddads were starting engines
"Back in the Day"... mechanically, engines are better made (hopefully), and
all of that stuff. Cold is cold, I rather start an engine with warm oil in the
journals and save the wear and tear that accumulates over time.

hankaye

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by hankaye

larry337, Howdy;

Block Heaters are for warming the oil, the block also gets the benefit along
with the cooling system. With warmer oil the engine turns over easier thus
saving the starter and helps keep the batteries from running down from
trying to make it all move when its cold and the viscosity thickens.
Quicker warn-ups are an added benefit as well.
Yes we have thinner oils then when our granddads were starting engines
"Back in the Day"... mechanically, engines are better made (hopefully), and
all of that stuff. Cold is cold, I rather start an engine with warm oil in the
journals and save the wear and tear that accumulates over time.

hankaye

You may get some heat to the oil with a block heater, but not the purpose, in the early days made for easier starts, and less engine noise!
With early diesels the morning clatter could be a neighbor issue.

[larry337]

I can't argue with any of that. Makes sense to me. I'm certainly no mechanic. I'm a driver for a major trucking company with 1000's of tractors across the country. The older trucks we plug in or keep running. The newer trucks will start even after sitting all weekend, if the fuel doesn't gel. Like I said my own 6.4 powerstroke always started right up. Sp that's my experience. Out of curiosity though, what would be the difference in starting a diesel without a block heater vs a gasser without a block heater? Agreed that warmer oil is better but most gassers don't have them so what's the difference? I mean if it starts, it starts.

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[chuckster57]

Diesel engines rely on heat in the combustion chamber to ignite the fuel, gas engines use a spark. That's the simplest explanation I can think of at the moment.