Block Heater--how warm should your engine be when u start it?
 

With a block heater how arm should your engine be when starting it on a 30 Degree morning?
How long can you leave it plugged in--will it take 14 hours of being plugged in every winter night for 5 years?
Has anyone had problems with corrosion on the female part of the plug heater electric receptacle, which is on the Plug Heater?I replace my 20 year old heater because it was tarnished so badly, I thought there would be no way I could get a Ground for the Cord
I actually thought, when i put mine in, that when you started the car, the Heater would be toasty warm..not too smart, considering that the water pump isn't running yet, and that little heater element, no matter how robust, isn't the same thing as 5 or 6 cylinders thumping away at 3 grand RPM..
Finally, is it possible that coolant loss occurs when using one of these things? I havent done a pressure test or really investigated, but I notice I am losing coolant whenever I use the thing....

the heater doesn't cause coolant loss, unless it leaks. You only need a few hours, even at 0F. Depends somewhat on conditions. Parking in a windy site will suck heat away pretty fast. You can use a cheap 24 hour timer in series with an extension cord. Set it to go on 2-3 hours before you leave in the morning

I think if you use a timer to turn it on 1.5 -2 hours before you leave thats plenty of time. It won't be toasty warm but definately warmer than ambient by a good margin.

Every time I've used the block heater, the temp guage showed 60*C as soon as the key was turned. That should be enough to give you some heat, but not blazing hot.

mine is on a timer, 3-4 hours and its just showing on the gauge(about 40c) when its 30f out.

I use a timer and keep it on for about 2-3 hours. Use a good timer and extension cord they draw 10 amps. I bought a high quality outdoor cord and grounded timer, both rated for 15 amps so no fires at my house! :D

I used to live in Amarillo, Texas. I used to have a 1984 F-250, 6.9 liter International Diesel. Man out in the open plains there you'd better have a block heater for your engine. I left my truck out in a parking lot where I worked without the heating block plugged up all day. That truck didn't crank for 2 weeks setting out in 15 degree weather. As long as I kept it plugged up, I had no problems. Cranked up better than a gas engine on freezing days. Now down here in Austin, that's a whole different story. I feel for you guys in the North.