Block Heater Question

[Zilverado]

A discussion over lunch prompted this a question for my northern Buddies - the ones with block heaters in their engines (if you have to ask "What's a block heater?" - don't worry about it ).

Have you ever heard of issues with running a vehicle, to warm it up, while the block heater remains plugged in? As far as I can see, there would be no concern, but I may be wrong.

Any thoughts? Thanks,

[RockHQ]

I have never had a problem, nor have ever heard a block heater failing because the engine is running. It's there all the time anyway, should not matter if it has current running through it.
All my block heaters have fared well, the oldest one is in my winter beater, a car sold in 1986 and the block heater was installed at the dealer. That's 18 years of use next summer!

-Axle

[shavedchevy]

There's no way that it would matter, it's not like the current is going directly in. But the question is... why would you still have the block heater plugged in if the vehicle is started anyways?

[Zilverado]

Originally posted by shavedchevy
There's no way that it would matter, it's not like the current is going directly in. But the question is... why would you still have the block heater plugged in if the vehicle is started anyways?

My theory exactly - thanks.

As for why it would stay plugged in? Three words - remote car starter...

[arveetek]

Sometimes I leave my block heater plugged in after starting in order to help warm the vehicle up faster. It's only for a few minutes. I don't know if it really helps or not, but on those cold winter mornings, I like to have heat in the cab right away!

Of course, on a diesel, it takes longer for the engine to warm up anyway. Also, the block heater just keeps the engine barely warm, just enough to aid in starting.

[shavedchevy]

Oh yeah, Remote starters, don't got one of those things on my 86, kinda forgot that luxury.

[1FaastC10]

wouldnt bother getting one on anything older than 87, unless you can come up with one that will pump the gas a few times before it tries to start it.

[Zilverado]

Originally posted by shavedchevy
Oh yeah, Remote starters, don't got one of those things on my 86, kinda forgot that luxury.

Actually, my vehicles don't have them either (been thinking about putting one on the Pathfinder). The person who had the original concern has a remote starter and asked me if they should be concerned. I said "no", but I'd ask...

Thanks,