Block heater make sense?

[Ridge Man]

Link to a handy site. Temperature Conversion ---Plus plus more.
http://www.metric-conversions.org/te...conversion.htm

[RDJeff]

We see -40 fairly often in winter. Look at that on the conversion chart!

[kc8swy]

I purchased a genuine Honda block heater from H&A about a month ago, finally got it installed this week. Not hard to install, just awkward as the location of the freeze plug you pull out is a bit out of the way.

We have had 0-10 degree F nights this past week in SW Michigan. I've kept the truck plugged in from the time I get out until I go to start it. Result? NO instant heat. In all honesty the warm up time difference isn't measurable. I wondered if it was even working, so I grabbed my Kill-a-watt inline meter, and the block heater is drawing about 420 watts. I left it plugged into the kill-a-watt all night, confirmed it was drawing power all night. No change.

OTOH, the 01 F250 7.3 diesel we have with the factory block heater works great, you have INSTANT heat as soon as you start the truck. I was hoping for the same effect with the Honda Block heater, but no success.

The Honda block heater isn't worth it. I think it may be because the heater is so small (420w) and the aluminum block dissipates the heat rather quickly.

I did a search of the forums and many have talked about purchasing the heater, but I could find little in terms of results from people that have installed them.

[LarryP]

Living in Northern Minnesota gives me the luxury of seeing temperatures lower than -30 several times during winter. It's also nice to be able to plug my vehicle in while at work, so that's why I just bought the block heater and will install it as soon as I can. The directions can be found on HandA-Accessories.com and give you what you need for the job. I'll need to get a jug of coolant from my dealer and then get my garage nice and warm for the job. Since I plan to own my Ridge for a long time, this will pay dividends over the years. My drive to work is only 4 miles, so I also get out weekly to get the engine all warmed up, dried out and it's "legs stretched". (after all, it's a Ridge and we like being out and about). I've had several people asking questions and looking it over since I bought it.

[tigertom1965]

If you really want quicker warm up for your short trips. Just heat the garage.

[LutzD79]

tigertom1965,

Sometimes the simple solutions are overlooked!!!! I think that is a great idea

[just4fun]

Originally Posted by kc8swy

The Honda block heater isn't worth it. I think it may be because the heater is so small (420w) and the aluminum block dissipates the heat rather quickly.

My experience is somewhat different.

Living in Canada every vehicle I have ever owned has had a block heater installed. I have never considered the function of the block heater to be "to warm the vehicle up faster" it has always been the difference between the vehicle starting or not starting when the temperature is cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.

A couple weeks ago we went through a spell of -35 to -40 celcius for overnight temperatures (I'm not going to the conversion because in either scale it is just plain freakin' cold)

I forgot to plug the Ridge in one night, and although it started in the morning I can tell you it started a lot easier, and made fewer weird noises, when plugged in.

For cold weather starts, the Honda block heater performs well.

Those who are familiar with block heaters will know the "sizzling, popping" sound a block heater makes about 10 seconds after you plug it in (kind of like a kettle when it just starts to simmer). I have noticed that the heater in my Ridge seems to cycle on and off, sometimes I hear the sizzle, next time I walk by I don't. I'm assuming the heater is equipped with a thermostat, if so, it is only going to warm the engine to a certain point anyway.

Theoretically if there is any additional warmth in the engine block when you start your vehicle the engine will (should) warm up faster, but I think a generally realistic expectation would be 8 minutes instead of 10, or 5 minutes instead of 6 sort of idea.

I agree with your points about the aluminum block, and the difference you notice on the Ford truck. Different blocks and different block heaters will produce different results, the point I'm making is that the primary function of a block heater is to ensure an engine will start in cold weather, not to provide creature comfort inside the cabin.

Consider it a bonus if your cabin warms up noticably faster when you use a block heater.

Kevin