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Block heaters

guruatbol

guruatbol

Always on vacation!
I have a daughter that moved to North Dakota. He Dodge Durrango with a 318 does not have a block heater. She is having lots of trouble with the cold weather there. Her truck routinely will not start and the locals there in Grand Forks are telling her she needs a block heater.

It has had a recent service and was not equipped with a block heater.

The question is; Are there any products out there that can be added to her engine bay to fix the issue? Maybe a pad of some sort that is plugged in while parked and removed before you start it up to drive????

If so where can I find such an animal? If not what can I do, she doesn't have access to a garage.

Mel
 
Growing up in South Dakota, block heaters were common. The pickup that I had in college, if it got below 0°F at night, I knew that it wouldn't start. And it did not have a block heater when I got it. A block heater is pretty easy to install. The one I got replaced one of the freeze plugs on the side of the block. All I had to do was to pop out the freeze plug and install the block heater. Most autoparts stores back there will have 'em.


-rob
 
I was born and raised about 60 miles north of Grand Forks. If she's going to spend any time there she needs a block heater asap.

It's a cold mo fo up there.
 
+1 on the block heater. I got one for my Bronco when I was in Anchorage. Bought it at Napa. Easy to install. They typically look like this:

http://dcs.hyundaidealer.com/images/accessories/block_heater2.jpg

You can also get an electric battery blanket and an electric blanket that goes on the underside of the oil pan. They need that extra oomph in Fairbanks. :scar

I've also read about a heated dipstick and a heater that goes inline with the radiator hose.

Frank
 
I have no experience with this but could you put a drop light in the engine bay. Same principle with a well in cold weather.
 
When I lived in the cold, I really liked the water heater units that went in the heater lines. Didn't have to mess with a freeze plug...Had instant warm air from the heater inside the car. I have used those and dipstick heaters. Just gotta have an extension cord to the vehicle.
 
I am just curious, but is this truck new enough to have efi on it? I thought efi was the almighty of engine wares and would start no matter what or when or how? Just wondering. :sur
 
"gwstang" said:
I am just curious, but is this truck new enough to have efi on it? I thought efi was the almighty of engine wares and would start no matter what or when or how? Just wondering. :sur
Click to expand...

The logic of a modern EFI system certainly aids in correct air fuel ratio for the ambient temp and forces a faster warmup.

It has no ability to spin the crank fast enough to light the fire in a pan full of jello.
 
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