block heater

[machunt]

i have a 2013 chevy 1 ton dually, doesel of course. after plugging in my block heater over night, it seemed hard to start. up untill now everything seemen fine. i do have 120 volts at my plug in.

[B_O__Plenty]

I almost never plug in my block heater. My Duramax has started many times in below zero temps without it. I think you have other issues to deal with.
B.O.

[Lynnmor]

Did you buy refuel in the last couple of weeks?

[ScottG]

There's really no way having it plugged in can make it harder to start.
If you're having to crank it more, you may have injector, HP pump or something else causing pressure issues.

[ktmrfs]

Lynnmor wrote:
Check for continuity between the prongs of the cord.

not a good indicator. Not sure on what the starting year is but the block heater after a certain year has a thermostat in the line so it won't turn on above a certain temperature, somewhere around freezing. So checking for continuity may show an open when it is in reality just fine.

I know this is the case on the 2015, and the 2004.5 has no thermostat.

[machunt]

I checked continuity between the positive and negative prongs on my plug and showed continuity,

No it seemed harder to start with it pluged in then it did before when i had it pluged in couple weeks ago

[2oldman]

machunt wrote:
how do i check the cord or heater to see which is bad?

If you have an electric meter, first see if that's moving.

[2003silverado]

One way to do a simple test without tools is to unplug it quickly in a dark setting and see if there is a spark. That will show if it is drawing power.

Also, are you saying that it started harder when using the block heater than it did in the past without using it? Sometimes the block heater puts enough warmth in the engine that it won't call for the glow plugs to cycle.

[romore]

Yep. How many times have I seen extension cords stretched across the parking lot? LOL. They do quit, the element gets covered with deposits from the cooling system or simply burns out. Is yours in the block or a heater hose? The latter will airlock and the heater fails.

[Lynnmor]

Check for continuity between the prongs of the cord.

[machunt]

how do i check the cord or heater to see which is bad?

[LanceRKeys]

The most important thing to remember with a block heater is to unplug it before you drive off. I keep the extension cord over my side mirror as a reminder...

[ScottG]

Yep, it may have died.
FWIW, a long time diesel mechanic told me that starting the eng with the heater running seems to kill them (not always).
The one I helped a guy replace was subjected to that treatment on a regular basis.
Not trying to get into a argument here. Just pointing out a trend noticed by a top notch mechanic.

[pianotuna]

Get a Kill-a-watt meter. Use that to check to see if the element is drawing power.

[ER_Alaska]

When the power to the block heater first kicks on, can you listen carefully near the radiator and hear a popping or sizzling noise indicating that the heater is actually warming up?

[Grit_dog]

Was the engine warmer than not plugged in?
Block heater afaik is not tied into the operating systems. It either works or it doesn't.
But gotta be more specific if looking for recommendations.