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Engine Heater - startup

twinjayhawks

twinjayhawks

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Branson, MO
I have noticed that when I plug in the engine block heater, the truck starts up immediately on cold mornings. If I do not plug in the heater, it will wait 5-10 seconds, even on cool but not cold mornings. Does the block heater have anything to do with warming the glow plug... Maybe that is not the correct terminology? I assumed that is what is happening on the start delay???

Does the engine block also help with quick cold morning starts?
 
I'm up near St Louis, I plug in my block heater anytime the night is going below freezing. The block heater just keeps coolant warm. These truck have an electric grid heater at the intake instead of glow plugs. The intake heater will cycle before starting based on factors like outside temperature and engine temperature.
 
These truck don’t have glow plugs. Just a block heater and intake grid heater. Block heater keeps both coolant and oil warm. The intake air heater helps with cold starts via warming up the intake air to help with ignition of the diesel.


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twinjayhawks said:
I have noticed that when I plug in the engine block heater, the truck starts up immediately on cold mornings. If I do not plug in the heater, it will wait 5-10 seconds, even on cool but not cold mornings. Does the block heater have anything to do with warming the glow plug... Maybe that is not the correct terminology? I assumed that is what is happening on the start delay???

Does the engine block also help with quick cold morning starts?
Click to expand...
It also helps that the crankshaft doesn't have to plow its way through molasses. The engine can spin faster sooner which allows it to build compression and start the ignition process.
 
As said, block heater in coolant will also warm the oil in the block, and the block in general. That in turn may provide enough additional warmth to the intake air temp sensor to trigger less preheat and a quicker start. The grid heater will still cycle any time the intake air temp sensor calls for it.

When discussing engine starts, it's best to distinguish between crank/no crank and start/no start.

When the grid heater is not called for, the truck cranks without delay and starts.
When the grid heater is called for, the truck delays crank to allow preheat of the grid, and the start may take a few more seconds.

If you truck has no crank/no start, something is broken, first thing to check is battery(s)
If your truck has crank/no start, something different is broken
 
Brutal_HO said:
As said, block heater in coolant will also warm the oil in the block, and the block in general. That in turn may provide enough additional warmth to the intake air temp sensor to trigger less preheat and a quicker start. The grid heater will still cycle any time the intake air temp sensor calls for it.

When discussing engine starts, it's best to distinguish between crank/no crank and start/no start.

When the grid heater is not called for, the truck cranks without delay and starts.
When the grid heater is called for, the truck delays crank to allow preheat of the grid, and the start may take a few more seconds.

If you truck has no crank/no start, something is broken, first thing to check is battery(s)
If your truck has crank/no start, something different is broken
Click to expand...
Do I need to continue to hold the brake while waiting for it to crank/start while in the holding pattern?
 
twinjayhawks said:
Do I need to continue to hold the brake while waiting for it to crank/start while in the holding pattern?
Click to expand...

I do not recall as I always remote start when it's cold.

I *think* once it begins the pre-crank/start cycle you can take your foot off the brake. I guess if you try, you will know.
 
There could be many different temperatures used for the algorithm and arbitration to determine if and how long the air heaters are used. Pretty cool.
 
if you keep foot on brake, after hitting start, it will go through the full warm up and start itself. there's a countdown timer in the evic. double tapping start will fire it right away.
 
elephantrider said:
if you keep foot on brake, after hitting start, it will go through the full warm up and start itself. there's a countdown timer in the evic. double tapping start will fire it right away.
Click to expand...

This is what I found out. I took my foot off the brake after hitting the start button and it did not crank/start at the end of the timer. I tried it again with my foot on the brake and it started after the timer.


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twinjayhawks said:
This is what I found out. I took my foot off the brake after hitting the start button and it did not crank/start at the end of the timer. I tried it again with my foot on the brake and it started after the timer.


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Click to expand...

Weird. I can let my foot off and it will start after the intake grid heater is done warming up. If I tap the start button before the timer ends, it will start immediately.


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tyler2you said:
It also helps that the crankshaft doesn't have to plow its way through molasses. The engine can spin faster sooner which allows it to build compression and start the ignition process.
Click to expand...
Hahahahaha.... "plow it's way through molasses"
 
Lift89 said:
These truck don’t have glow plugs. Just a block heater and intake grid heater. Block heater keeps both coolant and oil warm. The intake air heater helps with cold starts via warming up the intake air to help with ignition of the diesel.


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Click to expand...
My information on my truck said it came with a block heater. Where do I find the plug on the vehicle for the heater? 2021 2500 Laramie I6
 
check near the oil filter.
 
Sapper-8 said:
My information on my truck said it came with a block heater. Where do I find the plug on the vehicle for the heater? 2021 2500 Laramie I6
Click to expand...
If it has a cord, it should be located in behind where the front license plate attaches. Put your hand through the holes in the front air dam and feel around.
 
Looked for the cord, but I was unable to find it. I guess my Ram is equipped with engine block heater, but I will need to purchase the cord. Thanks to all for the information!
 
Sapper-8 said:
Looked for the cord, but I was unable to find it. I guess my Ram is equipped with engine block heater, but I will need to purchase the cord. Thanks to all for the information!
Click to expand...

I think the cord should be there. I had a hard time finding mine.


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