IIRC Bob uses one. Don't know why he hasn't chimed in, but I could be wrong.

Cold starts can kill an engine over time. It takes a bit for the oil to get all the way through the engine even at warm temps. So I would say that if living up north then an engine warmer would be a good idea...so the engine internals don't go without proper luberication longer than they do upon warmer weather startups. Just my 2ó

The block heater is post #2 is common up here, along with an oil pan heater and a pad for the battery. Most of you northern Lower 48'ers can get along with the latter 2 of the 3; just make sure your coolant is properly mixed after that.

Thanks everybody and for that link too mud. Is that engine block warmer better than coolant based?

Hey Big Jim, is there usually problems with either of these kinds of heaters? If there troublesome I'd better go ahead and spend the money for a decent one.

Which gotsd me thinking..Which kind yall think is better overall? a block heater or a coolant circulator? I like the idea of keeping the entire engine warm for the start up. My opinion is that tolerances will be most out of wack the further the engine is from full operating temp, and heating the whole thing would help 96k mile engine start easier. Of course coolant warming wouldn't do much for the oil sitting in the bottom of the pan. If it wouldn't hurt hell I might put both of em in. This is the dd I depend on and the motor doesn't snap to life like the 90 maxima does. Not unusual to hit zero F deg around here, and ya know what the f stands for..

btw, finally mpg tested at all highway speed and got a 17.8 so at least things are about where they should be. Get the manifold replaced and hopefully I'll se 20.

When I had my Dodge Cummins 1-ton truck, I had a block heater in it. I plugged it in at home or on the road whenever the temperature fell below +20 degrees. I used it when the temp was 30 degrees below zero F and it worked fine. Of course, you have to have a source of 110v power available.


On my truck, I installed an extension for the block heater out to a flip-cover connector on the front bumper. That way, I didn't even have to open the hood to plug it in.

Bradley... Look at my sig!! I live in the freaking desert!! I know all about coolant, coolant pumps, thermostats, radiators and fans.. THANK GOD i know absolutely NOTHING about block heaters! I think you should ask someone from Alaska which is best.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Ha! I was gonna mention that BJ...We are the wrong people to be asking about such devices. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Bradley...we are still getting into the low 60's every now and then down here. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" /> And just started getting freezing night time temps just last week.

my brother has an 05 duramax, he never plugs it in, that thing is colder then *****, the one day we drove for atleast a half hour before it reached operating temp, somehow when i did the coolant flush and put the new stuff in i managed to mixed it 70% coolant and 30% water, when i tested it it was good to -50*F if i recall correctly, and the boiling point was a lot higher then the 50/50 mixture