[CalFireCapt]

Morning All,
Is there a maximum amount of time you should not exceed when you plug your truck in? I left my '96 at work the other day plugged in and won't be back there for a couple of weeks. The reason I plugged it in is because it needs new glow plugs which I just received yesterday.
Thanks in advance!:thumbsup:

 

[missmanj]

couple weeks?? That sounds pretty extreme to me, if i dont need it for a couple days i usually just wait till the day before i need it to plug it in. I have never left it plugged in over 24 hours.

 

[bugman]

The only thing that it is going to hurt is the companys pocket book when the electric bill shows up. No problem leaving it plug in that long.

Jim

 

[fordsforever73]

I ussually plug mine in (on a HD timer) 2-3 hours befoere I need it. They use 1000 watts of power...it's like leaving 10 one hundred watt lights on.

 

[okiephillip]

Bought my 96 used did not come with a block heater. Who makes a good Block heater, battery blanket? Should I get a fuel heater too?

 

[fordsforever73]

Bought my 96 used did not come with a block heater. Who makes a good Block heater, battery blanket? Should I get a fuel heater too?

Your truck has a fuel heater built in...it's in the fuel filter canister under the fuel filter. If it ever shorts out/breaks, it will blow fuse #22 in power distribution box under the hood. You might have a block heater already...maybe no cord. Have a look. It's right above the oil filter. A battery blanket won't help in this case.

 

[Dollrider]

Our ambulance is plugged in approximately 12 hrs per day 7 days a week... I don't believe its hurt it any.

 

[bugman]

Bought my 96 used did not come with a block heater. Who makes a good Block heater, battery blanket? Should I get a fuel heater too?

I believe that all 96's came with the block heater. Look at your oil cooler header above where the oil filter screws on the heater should be screwed into a port about 4 inches above the oil filter. It should have a cord that runs to the front of the truck.

Jim

 

[bluenavigator]

Plug in the block heater for 2 weeks in California? Hummm Need to know where the truck is at. Heard that guys had no problem starting trucks at 20°F without plugging. I started mine at 28°F during the ice storm in Austin, Texas, few years ago.

 

[Patrick Feeley]

I'm sure it's plenty cold up in Janesville this time of year! We fish up at Eagle Lake every summer. Here in Tehachapi, it's been as low as -3F in the 15 years I've been here (still snow on the ground from last weekend's storm). Cheers!

 

[okiephillip]

All

Great info! Will look for the cord and heater.

Thanks!
Phillip

 

[Dollrider]

I've started my 97 unaided by block heater to about -10 before... it complains but does it. with the 5w-40 synthetic it wouldn’t be any problem at all

 

[MustangMatt96GT]

mine witha few bad glow plugs (2-3) will start without being plugged in to about 10 degrees...takes a while to rev up and make power, but it will start. I leave mine plugged in everynight just to keep it warm, reduce start up wear, and ease of starting and leaving, no warming up

 

[Believer45]

Longest mine has been plugged in without starting so far is somewhere around 4 weeks, very cold weather but I am unemployed. I needed to be able to start it on short notice for other reasons so I just left it plugged in. No problems.

Dave / Believer45

 

[julyer]

Plug in the block heater for 2 weeks in California? Hummm Need to know where the truck is at. Heard that guys had no problem starting trucks at 20°F without plugging. I started mine at 28°F during the ice storm in Austin, Texas, few years ago.

our trucks will start in below 0 temps without plugging in the block heater, if gpr and glow plugs are operating....motor sure sounds like heck until it warms up though. the block heater helps the enginge reach operating temps quicker in cold weather.

 

[CalFireCapt]

As stated in my original post the truck needs new glow plugs and all that goes with it. It is in far northeastern CA and it still gets down to single digits at night and some days may not warm to over freezing for very long during the day. When I get back there I want to hop in and have it fire right up!

 

[4micaman]

Have you tested the plugs and know that to be the problem?

ZD11 are the Motorcraft (Beru) glow plug part numbers you'd want to use. The GPR (glow plug relay) most people here are replacing them with a Stancor 568-902.

If I were you, I'd test the GP system before buying new harness plugs, pins and/or wires.

Question: How long have you had the Herculiner in your bed? Does your bed take abuse and does the liner hold up well? Thanks.

 

[okiephillip]

How can you tell if your glow plugs are working?

 

[bugman]

How can you tell if your glow plugs are working?

The first thing is to watch your volt guage. It should drop while the wait to start lamp is lit along with staying low for a couple of minutes after start up. If you suspect that you have some bad ones you need a digital volt ohm meeter to test them and the glow plug relay.

Jim

 

[okiephillip]

Jim

Thanks for the info! Will watch the volt meter this morning.