6.4L Power Stroke Engine and DrivetrainDiscussion of the 6.4L Power Stroke diesel engine and drivetrain in the 2008 Super-Duty trucks. No gas engine discussion allowed except on transmissions and drivetrain that pertain to all models. Please confine discussion of topics in this forum to those items that are specific to the 6.4L Power Stroke engine.
I have been using the engine block heater as it dips down in the low 15's here at bnight. For the first few hours before I go to bed, I can go out there and raise the hood and EVERYTHING feels warm, like I just shut the truck off. But in the morning its cold and theres no heat from the heater, no warm feeling under the hood. My question is, is there a timer on these for the diesels, or are you supposed to get up at 3 am and only then plug them in if youre going to leave at 6 am. My plug is fine, no tripped breakers, and no other problems. Just curious why the engine is cold and after an all night plug in in the morning it is cold. Just makes me think theres a timer or something somewhere. It would seem silly to only be allowed to use it for 3 hours, and know of several people who drive these up at BP in Alaska and they say they kep them plugged in all the time, and have no problems. Am I crazy? Any advice would help.
Never heard of a timer on the block heater but for '08 maybe something is new. I have my block heater plugged into a timer that I set to turn on three hours before I leave in the morning if I am driving the truck(once every other week treat for me). Have not left it powered up all night. With the three hours of heater, the engine starts easily and purrs like it is 80 degrees outside.
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2008 F-450 Lariat Dark Stone Metallic over Pueblo Gold 4x4(manual shift transfer case, manual hubs), High capacity tow 4:88s, Off Road, Camper packages, Sirius Sat, Upfitter switches, DVD entertainment, tailgate step, traction control, Audiophile 6-disc, PTC Supplemental heat and heated seats(warm buns), rear sensors, traction control, tailgate step. Built May 8, delivered May 24
Reese Signature Series 24k fiver hitch, I installed it myself, best hitch I have found yet
Line-X bedliner, heavy duty floor mats
2003 Sunline F281SR(weekend getaways)
SeaRay 215EC http://community.webshots.com/user/C...host=community
I have a heater installed and know nothing about them. Are they truly block heaters? Are they expected to keep all that metal warm or just a small portion, like the oil? If that is the case exdpecting to feel warmth may be incorrect.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ssharber</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been using the engine block heater as it dips down in the low 15's here at bnight. For the first few hours before I go to bed, I can go out there and raise the hood and EVERYTHING feels warm, like I just shut the truck off. But in the morning its cold and theres no heat from the heater, no warm feeling under the hood. My question is, is there a timer on these for the diesels, or are you supposed to get up at 3 am and only then plug them in if youre going to leave at 6 am. My plug is fine, no tripped breakers, and no other problems. Just curious why the engine is cold and after an all night plug in in the morning it is cold. Just makes me think theres a timer or something somewhere. It would seem silly to only be allowed to use it for 3 hours, and know of several people who drive these up at BP in Alaska and they say they kep them plugged in all the time, and have no problems. Am I crazy? Any advice would help.
2008 Crew Cab 6.4L short bed 4x4 </div></div>
Weird...
But if that is the case then plug the extension cord going out to the truck into a timer rated for the draw of the heater and set it to start at 3am. :P
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dreamerf450</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a heater installed and know nothing about them. Are they truly block heaters? Are they expected to keep all that metal warm or just a small portion, like the oil? If that is the case exdpecting to feel warmth may be incorrect. </div></div>they are in the water passage and thus are ment to keep the whole block warmer than the outside temp. it just makes it easier to turn the motor over in subzero temps. though i usualy plug it diesels in the winter just makes life easier for the starte and thus the batteries.
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~ Mike
2008 BLACK F350 XLT RC SRW 4x4, 6.4, Auto,3.73ls, ManualTransferCase,PTC-Heater. Pic's She is Sweet...
DORA recieved:9/14/07 || ReceiptDate:9/14/07 || SerializeDate:11/01/07 || SegmentDate:11/01/07 || SequenceDate:11/10/07 || BlendDate:11/13/2007 || GesitmatedBuildWeek: 12/10 || ProducedDate:11/21/07 || GateRelease:11/21/07 || ShipDate:11/24/07 || ArrivalDate:11/30/07 || SoldDate:11/30/07 ||
I've been using block heaters all my life (see my location). In the morning it is very rare to feel any kind of noticable warmth from the engine. Really the only way to know it is functioning is a slight hum when it's plugged in (hood open and ear to the engine) and the fact that it cranks up smoothly. Trust me, at -40C you'll know if there was a problem with your block heater.
I've never heard of a built in timer or heat gauge to tell the heater to shut off. Do yourself a favour and purchas a $10 block heater timer (something that can handle the amperage) and set it for 3 hours before you know you'll need it. Leaving it plugged in all night every night will only get you a huge power bill.
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2003 350 Lariat FX4 Short Box 6.0L *SOLD*
2008 FX4 F350 6.4L Dually Long Box, Black on Black PICTURES
2007 Keystone Raptor 3712TS PICTURES
Thanks for all the helpful replies. The timer idea is a good one and Ill do that one. As far as to what all it keeps warm, believe it or not everything under there feels warm, even metal parts on the engine. ILL DO THE TIMER AND REPORT HOW IT WORKS IN THE AM.
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2003 350 Lariat FX4 Short Box 6.0L *SOLD*
2008 FX4 F350 6.4L Dually Long Box, Black on Black PICTURES
2007 Keystone Raptor 3712TS PICTURES
10 to 15 degrees farenheit. And yes Im aware of Ford's advice to not use the heater unless your temperature is going to fall into the negative digits but a warm truck is just good all around sense for many reasons, and it doesnt take a negative degree reading for a block heater to be beneficial. But yeah just typically we see the 10 to 15 degree range this time of year, will be colder as time goes on. I have just gone out and setup my timer for 3:00 AM so Ill be able to tell you guys tomorrow on the results
I was told by a friend who has an older F-450 dump truck that the supplemental cab heater only works if the truck's engine block heater has been plugged in. Is he right?
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'08 F-450 Lariat Hybrid towing a 32 ft. Vintage Outlaw trailer with a '69 Chevelle drag car inside
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Zullo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was told by a friend who has an older F-450 dump truck that the supplemental cab heater only works if the truck's engine block heater has been plugged in. Is he right?</div></div>
No, on my 08 (if that's what he's referring to) I never need or use my block heater, but I have the supplemental heater and it cranks out warm air within minutes. If I'm idling in my driveway and have the heater on the RPM's will jump a few hundred. The RPM's will drop to normal when driving or when the motor heats up. My guess is that the electric heater needs some juice to run, and the truck spins the alternator a little faster to make up for it.
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