Engine Block Heater Use

Saxman · Jan 4, 2009

I had a block heater installed on my 3830 when I purchased it. I am sure it does not need it to start in the coldest of weather, but it is like my Powerstroke truck engine, it sure sounds better to me. I guess the reason I like a block heater is for piece of mind, the engine sounds better when it starts in extremely cold weather.

rut3556 · Jan 4, 2009

My L2250 has never failed to start in 23 yrs. of usage, but I'd still like to install a block heater. However, it looks like a nightmare to access the freeze plug, so I'll probably have to bag it.

tmc2318 · Jan 7, 2009

I've just recently come across these ' thermo cubes':

Draw Layout Cell

I'm going to get one for my tractor - probably the 'on @ 20F' version - then I can leave it plugged in all the time and not have to worry about it.

smfcpacfp · Jan 7, 2009

The colder it is, the longer I plug mine in. We had a day last year when it was -10F. I plugged it in for two hours and it started just fine.

A couple of guys said they didn't need it, but it sure makes a big difference if you do use a block heater. The other day it was about zero and I had it plugged in for an hour and a half and it started just fine - just like on a warm summer day.

I knew I was going to use the tractor today as my wife and I were engaged in the least favorite thing I have to do - clean snow off of our roof. I didn't realize I was going to need to use it partway through the job and I hadn't plugged in the block heater. It was about 25F and I thought it should start just fine, but it did take a few cranks before it fired. I was surprised, but I know now that I will always plug the block heater in when it is below freezing for at least a half hour.

dcabernel · Jan 10, 2009

My cousin is a car mechanic and once told me that he that when he took an engine apart he could tell there was less wear in the cylinders on the side of the block (V8) that the block heater was on. While the engine may start without a block heater I always make sure to plug in below -10C just to minimize wear to the engine.

Both tractor and Jetta.