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Originally Posted by leathermang
If you use your block heater every day of the year it will last longer.... other things like rate of changing the oil, type of oil used being equal of course....
this is because most wear on an engine is caused by the difference in expansion rates of the pistons and rings compared to the bore.... so the closer those two are to operating temperature when you start up each time the less wear on the engine.
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I have often wondered if block heaters are a major contributing factor in diesel longevity?
Since most diesels, and unlike gassers, and in the north predominate, diesel engines are plugged in during the coldest of cold nights and as you mentioned, less stress from a warmed engine, the engine will ware longer.
I too have not experienced a diesel before spring of this year, so it will be my first winter as well.
QUESTION: does anyone know what the wattage is on these block heaters?? I ran my block heater all last night to test to see if it works. This morning, I first turned the key to see if there was a reading on the temp guage and it read 50c. When I opened the hood, and placed my hand on the valve cover, it was so hot, I couldn't believe it! Just as though it had been running a few minutes ago!
So I wonder now what my electric bill will reflect to plug it in?? I could put a timer on it if I knew how long it takes to warm sufficiently, anybody know?
Also, and I will post this question on another thread too, Question: Why after having the block heater on all night, (the only thing I can think of) did my engine suddenly run as smooth and quiet, no subtle nailing at all!
Steve...............
