I was quoted $200 to have a block heater installed. Is this reasonable? Is this a hard job to do yourself?

Thanks
Neckster

 

Not really, just drain out the anti-freeze, find the spot to put it in and fill the radiator.

On a Cat it goes in the back of the oil cooler, right side of engine by the # 5 cylinder.

 

speaking of block heater.....i have a plug on driver side of my truck, i plugged in a few nites ago when it was cold at nite, didnt really notice a difference, what exactly does plug suppose to keep warm?

 

Supposed to keep the anti-freeze warm, follow the wire to the heater and after its been plugged in for a few hours that part of the engine should be warm to the touch, if its not the heater isn't working.

 

My new truck has a C15 in it,it is my first CAT engine and does not have a block heater do you suggest installing one?
I drove for an owner operator once who had a Cat in his truck and he said that Cats didnt need one?

 

Mike, I have a Cat in my KW and it has a block heater BUT there is NO electric where I park.

It gets into the single digits here and sometimes below zero, I have never had a problem starting it up.

BUT I change the batteries every 3 winters whether they need it or not, just something that makes sense to me since the weather can be unpredictable and personally I think that at around $300.00 for 4 batteries compared to a road call, plus waiting for the road service guy, I come out of this with money saved.

 

Ok I just replaced the batteries,I will give it a go without this year

 

If you have electricity where you park put one in. It's much easier on the engine and the batteries to have it plugged in plus you get heat that much sooner! LOL. If I don't plug my CAT in when it start it raps and carries on like a Detroit. When I plug it in it's nice and quiet on startup. Once it drops to 30 degrees F it gets plugged in whenever possible.

 

Cold starts, ie: below 0 Celsius will take years off your engine life.