Coolant/Block Heater???

Bruno2 · Jan 22, 2013

I was wanting to add a heater to my truck. Mainly because I would like for it to heat up quicker. What are my best options??

POWER-STRUCK · Jan 22, 2013

use the factory block heater or add a larger heating element could also add a 2nd one

Demon · Jan 23, 2013

Get yourself a circulating coolant heater. To go inline with the heater core inlet. A 1500watt Kim Hotstart or Zerostart would nice. That's what I've got on my own my truck.

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ToMang07 · Jan 23, 2013

POWER-STRUCK said:
use the factory block heater or add a larger heating element could also add a 2nd one

:whs:

Demon · Jan 23, 2013

Yes the stock block heater is adequate to start the engine in real winter. But the circulation heaters, keep the frost off the windshield and virtually give instant heat in the vents.

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CSIPSD · Jan 23, 2013

Demon said:
Yes the stock block heater is adequate to start the engine in real winter. But the circulation heaters, keep the frost off the windshield and virtually give instant heat in the vents.

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Saw one of those on CL the other day. Thought about picking it up.

To the OP, You should have a block heater factory, have you looked?

Bruno2 · Jan 25, 2013

Oh yeah , I have the factory heater and use it. However, it doesn't do a lot for the fast warm up. The circulating style sounds nice though! I am going to look into it.

CSIPSD · Jan 25, 2013

Bruno2 said:
Oh yeah , I have the factory heater and use it. However, it doesn't do a lot for the fast warm up. The circulating style sounds nice though! I am going to look into it.

Short of the circulating style none will. Block heaters take time.

I use a timer on mine that comes on 3-4 hours before I need to leave.

Bruno2 · Jan 26, 2013

I leave mine on all night. Like I was saying even with a 12 hr plug in the engine takes almost the entire drive to work to heat up. I was wanting something that will give me warm air within a few miles.

Dieselgeek · Jan 26, 2013

Do you live in Oklahoma?

Bruno2 · Jan 27, 2013

CSIPSD · Jan 28, 2013

Bruno2 said:
I leave mine on all night. Like I was saying even with a 12 hr plug in the engine takes almost the entire drive to work to heat up. I was wanting something that will give me warm air within a few miles.

Have you checked your T-stat?

How far is your drive?

If I plug my truck in I have warm air before I get to the main road (about a mile) and HOT air within 4 miles.

Bruno2 · Jan 29, 2013

I replaced it not too long ago when I rebuilt the motor. It acted the same before I changed it.

Bruno2 · Feb 26, 2013

How and where do I install this (http://www.ebay.com/itm/TANK-TYPE-E...W-DIESEL-KATS-BRAND-TRACTOR-NEW-/110794144143) ? I am concerned about putting it in a place that will actually circulate the coolant and not install it somewhere it is deadheaded. I know the heater hoses run into the water pump, but will it circulate through it like a bypass or will it not?

Demon · Feb 26, 2013

Needs to be equal to the lowest point in the cooling system. Draw from either the waterpump, or a port in the block. And discharge to the heater core inlet. That will keep the frost literally off the windshield at night if you keep the heater box flow control open. And warm the engine.

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Clem1226 · Feb 28, 2013

If you have the coin the espar hydronic heaters are the cats ass.

diesel fired, draws about 2 amps, consumes negligible fuel per hour, can be set on a timer or thermostat

espar heater

under pressure · Feb 28, 2013

living in Alaska, i used the stock block heater and a mag oil pan element to keep my amsoil warm.
Set on a timer a couple hours before start up.
* I always wanted the circulating one though, sounded like a good idea....

Demon · Feb 28, 2013

The espar D5 is the model you want like pictured there. But there is no programmable module with the one pictured. The 7 day timer is a couple hundred dollars extra. The kit only comes with a push pull switch.

But honestly if you have access to 120v plug in more often than not. Spend the couple hundred for the circulation heater, best thing going. But if there's no plugin, espar or webasto can't be beat. But count on about $1200 plus installation.

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Demon · Mar 8, 2013

I've been watching my morning coolant temps now since this thread came up. With my 1500w circulating heater, my morning ECT at startup are 140*.

My 1500w is sister to this 1000w version pictured. You can also get them in a 750w for small engines.

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sniper_101 · Mar 9, 2013

Demon said:
I've been watching my morning coolant temps now since this thread came up. With my 1500w circulating heater, my morning ECT at startup are 140*.

My 1500w is sister to this 1000w version pictured. You can also get them in a 750w for small engines.

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Dang . . . that'd be nice. With just the factory block heater (and a plastic "weather front" panel between grille and rad) my oil temps are about 65-85*. Idling up to 140* takes about 15-25min (although usually I'm driving away by 100-120*).

Going to looking into a circulating next week!