Forum Discussion

maxwell11's avatar
maxwell11
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014

engine heater plug ?

my 2005 dodge diesel does not have the engine heater electrical plug installed
I can buy one from geno's garage for around $16

the old truck has always started fine in cold weather without the engine heater, however, since I have owned the truck its never been 0 degrees or below here in western KY.

any experience out there with the engine heaters? is it really worth the trouble?

will your dodge diesel truck start ok at 0 or below without the heater.

thanks Fred,
Tow Vehicles

10 Replies

  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer II
    Jan 05, 2014
    B.O. Plenty wrote:
    Lynnmor wrote:
    It's not really if you can get it started, or that your heater works a little sooner. It is much better for the engine, starter and battery if you use a block heater. The warmer oil will flow better and the diesel engine will run smoother if it is warmed a bit.
    The block heater warms the coolant not the oil in the pan.

    B.O.


    I guess that the oil flowing thru the warmer block and bearing surfaces won't pick up any heat? Good Grief.
  • B_O__Plenty's avatar
    B_O__Plenty
    Explorer II
    Jan 05, 2014
    Lynnmor wrote:
    It's not really if you can get it started, or that your heater works a little sooner. It is much better for the engine, starter and battery if you use a block heater. The warmer oil will flow better and the diesel engine will run smoother if it is warmed a bit.
    The block heater warms the coolant not the oil in the pan.

    B.O.
  • jus2shy's avatar
    jus2shy
    Explorer
    Jan 04, 2014
    I plug in if it's going to frost. I have remote start and I like having my windows de-fogged before I take off. After about 5 minutes, my coolant is above 100 degrees and already defrosting at idle.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Jan 04, 2014
    garysol wrote:
    Mine starts just fine without the heater plugged in BUT the interior heater warms up much faster after it has been plugged in overnight. On a cold morning that is worth its weight in gold to me.

    Lynnmor wrote:
    It's not really if you can get it started, or that your heater works a little sooner. It is much better for the engine, starter and battery if you use a block heater. The warmer oil will flow better and the diesel engine will run smoother if it is warmed a bit.

    Mine stars fine in cold weather, I plug in below about 40 degrees, to keep the neighbors happy, but cold starts are not an issue. I do like quicker heat, plugging in and using the EB brings up the heat quickly.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer II
    Jan 04, 2014
    It's not really if you can get it started, or that your heater works a little sooner. It is much better for the engine, starter and battery if you use a block heater. The warmer oil will flow better and the diesel engine will run smoother if it is warmed a bit.
  • 6_7_tow_rig's avatar
    6_7_tow_rig
    Explorer
    Jan 04, 2014
    We were down to 2 degrees the other night and my truck had to sit out in the driveway because I had the jeep all torn apart in the garage. Went out and turned the key, grid heater did its thing, the orange light went off and I fired it right up. No problems. I let it sit for a few minutes to heat up before driving off. I also bought the cord from Genos last winter right after I bought the truck but never put it on.
  • john_bet's avatar
    john_bet
    Explorer II
    Jan 04, 2014
    Local NAPA store has them for about the same price and no waiting for shipping.
  • garysol's avatar
    garysol
    Explorer
    Jan 04, 2014
    Mine starts just fine without the heater plugged in BUT the interior heater warms up much faster after it has been plugged in overnight. On a cold morning that is worth its weight in gold to me.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Jan 04, 2014
    Should be fine. 16 dollars for a simple plug and play device is probably worth it if your concerned.

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