Block heaters?

[Trueno]

http://www.amazon.com/Kats-14600-Lower-Radiator-Heater/dp/B000I8XD1M/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1BAGKK0F46K1P19BAEC1


Anyone ever try one of those block heaters that splices into one of the hoses?

 

[GAINMOB]

dont think that will work...i lived in alaska for 3 yrs and north dakota for 3 more consecutively...better to get the actual block heater that going into the block...that hose heater is only going to keep that portion warm...u want the entire engine to be warm (above freezing) to prevent the fluids from freezing...oil pan heater as well...

i see ur in SE Texas so im curious to why ur inquiring about engine heaters

 

[Trueno]

i see ur in SE Texas so im curious to why ur inquiring about engine heaters

Because 38* at 100% humidity is pure torture, takes forever for my 02 to warm up.

 

[Bedrck47]

Right now 38 deg would be a heat wave
Go with a block heater for better results

 

[JUST4FUN]

You really don't need a block heater. if its taking that long to warm up then you need to look into a flush of the coolant and a new thermostat. Get this done by a pro, and use ford parts have the guy back flush the cores and the rad, new rad cap too

 

[Trueno]

In the summer it runs extremely cool, never comes up off the 'C'. If it ran hot, I would assume it needed flushing etc or else the carlot might swapped in a cooler stat...say, replaced a 180/185 with a 160 and the water wasn't staying in the radiator long enough to be cooled but that's not the prob.

I'm thinking the system is clean but the stat has been replaced with a 160 or so and it's too efficient, cooling too well as it were(?)

note - I blocked 1/2 the radiator with posterboard, temp gauge finally reached 1/2 way and I now have heat but still takes forever to get that high on the gauge.

t

 

[Bedrck47]

with that low of a T/Stat you most likely won't get above 1/4 on the gauge
You should be using a 190/195 stat
The engine is designed to run at the higher temps for better efficiency.

 

[Bedrck47]

even if you had a engine heater your output from the Heating system is still going to be low with a 160 deg T/Stat

You engine may get to temp faster with a block heater but you are still limited by the T/Stat

 

[Bedrck47]

specs copied from the 2002 service manual

Pressure relief cap opening pressure kPa (psi) 110 (16)
Pump pulley ratio 1.3
Water thermostat start to open temperature 87-91°C (188-195°F)
Water thermostat full open temperature 100°C (212°F)

 

[GAINMOB]

at 38 degrees its more than needing a heater as stated by others already...i live in virginia where winter lows may get into the teens...single digits even...i'm from michigan...never had a problem due to "cold" weather...basically at 40 degrees and u have issues? the highs are in the 30s for me and cranks with no probs...2004

 

[AcesOverEights]

You might have a factory installed block heater already. My truck did. On my 05, there is a connector on the drivers side of the header panel for it. The other end of the cord was in a factory sealed baggy in my spare tire well. Hook the 2 together, viola.