Did something crazy and ran 150+ feet of extension cord from my 2nd floor apt down to my wagon, which is now covered and surrounded in about 1 foot of "snow" (mostly ice and water, some snow underneath....horrible stuff).

Anyway, I'm trying to get the block warm enough to see if it'll start. It got above freezing today, barely, and shouldn't be too much colder in a few hours. My question is, how long should I wait before trying to turn over the engine? How long does it take the block to warm up? I seem to remember reading something like 3 hours, maybe less.

Thanks,

__________________
JBG
1985 TD wagon, 228k
running on grease since 3.07
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Wait atleast an hour. If you turn on the car and the needle comes off the line you are good.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

An hour should be plenty.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

I know there's no point in going over 2.5 hours, it won't get any warmer.

__________________
I suggest we solve high gas prices with environmentalists... unfortunately they don't burn well.
1982 300CD, 220K miles: This vacuum system will be the death of me yet! (OBK #26)
1977 F150 400 C6 2wd, 10.2 sec 1/8 mile with 2.75 gears.
1965 Mustang. Mostly stock... LOL!
2001 Ram 2500, cummins, 5spd, 202k miles.(girlfriends)

i've done as little as 30-40 minutes in 10-20 F weather (this past week in OH). started on the first crank.

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-1985 300TD - 324k mi on chassis. MB "Tauschaggregat" 617 motor + 4-speed conversion
Alaska Roadtrip 2009
-2002 E320 Wagon - 197k mi
-1998 E320 Wagon - 310k mi - retired

i would guess it is best to plug it in when the engine is warm, as to help maintain temp

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1967 250 S
1967 280SE
1968 250S
1971 280 SE
1973 220
1974 280 S
1975 450 SEL
1976 220 D
1979 300SD
1983 300 SD
1985 230 TE euro
1986 280SL
1986 500 SEL euro
1986 190E 2.3
1990 300 SE
2003 C230 K
2004 C230 K
1987 560SEL
1987 300SDL now in canada
2005 C230
1998 C43 AMG Sold to DON
1993 190E 2.6
300TD Former daily driver Totaled
current:
R320 CDI
Ram 2500 Cummins

You could do that, but the heater runs all the time it is plugged in. Best to put it on a timer and have it come on 2 hours before you need to start it.

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

Leaving a block heater on all night is a waste of money ... 10.2 cents/kwh now for me in SE OHio.

I don't have a block heater and don't really need one. It will start down to 10 degrees without any help, but below that it seems the fuel thickens up and won't start. so i put a big light bulb (300 watt halogen) in the engine compartment (in safe place of course) on a timer a few hours before startup and that keeps everything just warm enough.

if it weren't for the fuel, i think the thing would start well below zero.

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1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD ~285,000 Miles