Curious how others are planning to run the block heater cord. It doesn't look like the cord is long enough to run it to the front and zip tie it to the grill for winter. Are people going to leave it coiled and pull it out when needed?
It should help the engine get heat into the cabin quicker then not having it. I believe the JGC also has a small auxiliary heater to help get heat into the cabin while the engine is getting up to temperature.
On my '11 GC, I use the block heater often during the winter. I use an outdoor extension cord (flexible to -40) and run it back toward the upper firewall, across to the driver's side and up by the base of the wiper blade. That way I will never miss seeing that it's plugged in and also it won't be hanging out front collecting slush.
That is a great price as retail is 95 bucks. Makes no sense but there you go. I decided to just order the cord so I didn't have to contort myself to get the 3 prong plug in there...
I have never once plugged my Duramax in. I have started it as low as -10*f. I have read post from guys in Canada starting diesels as low as -25*f with just the glow plugs.
Lots of guys got to work and leave there diesels unplugged for 12 hours in -25f. From what I hear most of the new diesels are all amazing in that aspect. BMW doesn't even have a block heater and I haven't heard of one not start. Just need a long time to warm it up before you work it to hard.
Great job descent!! I couldn't get that close no matter how hard I've been trying! I'm expecting my jeep this Friday and continue to watch this forum for all the info I can gather.
Yes most new generation Diesels really do not need block heaters for starting.
I am an all Diesel stable of vehicles 3,cars,jeep,4x4 compact tractor,zero turn lawn mower.
My 1984 Mercedes 190D has a block heater, it has no grid heater to help start in cold weather.
When I am at home in SC my vehicles are garage kept, but I have 1 plug that has industrial timer wired in,I program it to come on in enough time to heat up the vehicle. I hit my remote start before walking out the door,by the time I get unplugged the oil has time to circulate for a minute or two and down the road I go.
But I travel up and down the east coast for business and 6 hours north of USA border into Canada in the winter.
Most hotels that are in severe weather areas have plugs outside for people to plug cars/trucks with block heaters in.
I like the idea of getting into a vehicle and have instant heat and defrosters to clear windows while I get snow off of the outside of vehicle.
I agree that modern diesels or any engine doesn't need a block heater. I do it so that the interior heat/fan comes on much faster when the engine is pre-heated.
That said, apparently the diesels come with an auxillary electric heater because the engine temp takes a long time to rise.
Still trying to figure out the best way to run the heater cord. I figure I have 2 options:
1. Thru the front grill, but the opening is not large enough to accommodate the plug, and it would be highly visible from the front
2. Under the hood, by the windshield wipers. I did this with my 04' GJC and it worked well, and was very easy to access, also it did not flop around when going down the road.
Since I will not be using it much (in garage at home, and no plugs available at work) I will have to remember to unplug it the few times I do use it. I remember years ago when I was a Paramedic, we would get 3 am calls, and get to the scene. Getting out of the rig, you would occasionally notice a 50 foot extension cord dangling behind the rig.
I bought an extension cord and electrical taped the ext cord to the heater cord (to seal and keep together). I then used black zip ties to exising wiring harness where available so it will not move when driving. I decided to route the end of the extension cord out to where the front tow hook protrudes and zip tied the cord to the hook. It is very simple for me to pull up in my driveway and plug it in at the front of the unicorn.
I have a timer set up to come on at 2AM and stay on until I leave for work.
If anyone would like to see pics of how I routed it let me know.
I bought an extension cord and electrical taped the ext cord to the heater cord (to seal and keep together). I then used black zip ties to exising wiring harness where available so it will not move when driving. I decided to route the end of the extension cord out to where the front tow hook protrudes and zip tied the cord to the hook. It is very simple for me to pull up in my driveway and plug it in at the front of the unicorn.
I have a timer set up to come on at 2AM and stay on until I leave for work.
If anyone would like to see pics of how I routed it let me know.
that sounds like an ideal solution. Please do post some pics. I just haven't looked closely at yet to change it around as I've been using mine up from the front where the passenger wiper is, but I don't like having the extension cord on the fender, not that it's a big deal though but at the tow hook would be more convenient. I think they should have designed it to be more convenient out of the box.
The block heater keeps my oil at 71 degrees according to the EVIC after being plugged in all night at 25 degrees. I wonder where the oil temp sensor is located. Even though they start well at much lower temps without heat, cold starts are hard on engines
Maybe I'm just not as adept as the other members, so I'm going to give a little bit more detail on my adventure of installing the engine block heater cord.
Don't take off the passenger side tire. After prying off the felt/fender liner - I looked around for at least thirty minutes for the infamous orange plug....nothing.
Do go from the top. I'm no body builder, but I squeezed my arms down the backside of the engine compartment (literally against the firewall to the cabin of the vehicle) on the passenger side and then reached forward until I felt a very malleable rubber. Pull, and you have just found the infamous orange plug. I then ran the cord straight down v. going through the back part of the engine compartment.
I had trouble getting the leverage needed to push the plug in with my left arm, so I took the engine cover off and put down several thick blankets, laid across the engine, and put my right arm down the back of the engine compartment - success. Zip tie and then figure out what you are going to do for an extension, b/c unless you want to leave it flopping around from under the hood, you'll need one.
I don't have any pictures, because I literally never saw what I was working with. I do recommend a long sleeve shirt if you like skin on your forearms.
I did not plug mine in last year at all and it started just fine. I used to plug my Jetta in all the time and really appreciate that the engine starts up warm. Has to be much easier on the engine and your mileage really sucks until things warm up a bit.
For those who route an extension out the front like I did on the Jetta, buy a plug end, the kind you would buy for repairs plug it up with caulk and then plug it into the plug on your vehicle. Then if road dirt and stuff hits it, the plugs are protected and your cover costs very little but worked for me pretty well.
I probably will use the plug this year because already I had two days were I had to take some time to get my windows defrosted.
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