block heater
 

hey yall, is it possible to install a engine heater on a truck that did not origanally come with one from the factory. im looking at a 99 cummins and wondering if it'd be possible.

They ALL came with a block heater (unless the engine has been rebuilt and the block heater eliminated). It should also have a cord which is probably rolled up somewhere on the passenger side. The block heater should be on the block just behind the oil filter.

agreed, ive never seen a 99 without one personally, like doc says, it should be located under the oil filter on the passenger side of the block,

If not, I would not waste time pulling a expansion plug and putting an element in. Instead I highly recommend a circulating block heater, they do a excellent job!! If you can justify the cost, or just have extra cash kicking around (ha, ha), put a Webasto or Espar on your rig. They use diesel fuel to heat your coolant, no 110 power needed, and draws very little from you 12V system.

Yeah, Ive got an Espar - works like a charm....

Hard to justify the cost of an Espar for the original poster - hes from Texas.

That is very true, up here in Central Alberta Canada, I am starting to justify it more and more. Turbo, or Espar?:humm::humm:

Espar definitely. Theres nothing like never having to scrape your windows, never having cold starts on the engine and jumping into an already warm truck when its -30C

I hear that! A co-worker has one, and rubs it in my face. Maybe soon, very soon.

so whats the cost of one of these Espar units?

$1000+ (And that doesnt include install). But the install is quite straightforward.

I can probably put you in touch with a guy in Red Deer that works for Polar Mobility.

Haha, Pat by any chance? You can buy a dodge "kit" for $1250, or at least that is a Brandt Employee price. One on Lethe installers (Pat) does not recommend it though.

Not Pat....

And why does he not recommend the Dodge Kit?

It mounts is a ugly place, and the mount is cheasy as well. Apparently it mounts behind the t-case. Longer way to run the hoses, and the mount has an ugly procedure to install. I have seen them mounted to the right fender below the battery.

Yeah, that doesnt work on a shortbox....I just transferred mine from 1 truck to another and the fender is really teh only place it will go...

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how much deisel does it use

Hardly any. It uses a litre in 2 hours. I know that exactly because I didnt have time before it got cold to install it properly so right now I am feeding the heater from a 2 litre pop bottle that I mounted under the hood.