I'm on my third block heater in 3 years now and am getting tired of having it quit when I need it the most. It always seems to go to a dead short. Well last night it blew the breaker in the house again, and of course it was the coldest night of the season so far, -23F. The last couple of times this happened it blew the boot off the heater element and melted the wiring as well as arced across the pins of the element. This time no boot damage. I've checked the circuit (house) out and there is nothing on it other than a couple of lights for the garage. I guess what I'm questioning is the reliabilty of these heaters, are they a normal yearly replacement item? I'm only using it when the temps get below freezing and have it on a heavy duty block heater timer set for 3 hours overnight. I'm still covered under warranty but it's still a PIA taking it in for the repair. Are there aftermarket heaters available that can handle my situation?

Kennedy Diesel sells an oil pan heater. I got it and love it. Heats the oil up nicely. He is a sponsor here.
Ben

This will be my 3rd winter and so far no problems with the block heater giving out. Tonight is the 1st night I'll have it plug in the entire night because I used the timer for part of my Christmas lights. I figure a full night here or there won't kill the electric bill.

Your heater should not burn out every year.
If your sure you have no problem's with the house end of the power then check the wiring from the heater to plug end. When it burn's out do you just change the heating element or do you replace the cord too?
The only thing that would burn out a element quickly is if it's got air trapped around it. Or maybe if the element is touching the interior of the block (but I'm not sure)
My last truck lasted all 10 years that I had it and this one is good for 2 winters now (knock on wood) :)

If your having consistent problem's and burned up 3 already I would say it's either your house juice or the wiring plug on the truck

Good Luck.

Blnagel, With that oil pan heater you have, what is your oil pressure on a cold winter start up? I'm thinking about getting one. My oil psi is about 75-80 in the summer on the first start up in the morning and about 90psi on a cold winter morning when using the block heater. Do you use the block heater and the oil heater at the same time? Just wondering.

Your heater should not burn out every year.
If your sure you have no problem's with the house end of the power then check the wiring from the heater to plug end. When it burn's out do you just change the heating element or do you replace the cord too?
The only thing that would burn out a element quickly is if it's got air trapped around it. Or maybe if the element is touching the interior of the block (but I'm not sure)
My last truck lasted all 10 years that I had it and this one is good for 2 winters now (knock on wood) :)

If your having consistent problem's and burned up 3 already I would say it's either your house juice or the wiring plug on the truck

Good Luck. Thanks DD. Now you got me thinking when you mention air trapped around the element. I wonder how these engines are jacketed and if it is possible I have pocket of air trapped up in there. I've always had the cord and element changed because the element pins were always scorched and the wiring plug at the block was melted. Only thing different this time is that I don't have a melted cord. The only therory I had come up with to date was that for some reason, my cord was comming loose at the block and making a high resistance connection, and then some arc-welding starts happening in there:eek: Not sure why this time? I guess the only good news out of it is the repair covers the cost of adding new coolant:cool:

Kennedy Diesel sells an oil pan heater. I got it and love it. Heats the oil up nicely. He is a sponsor here.
Ben I was thinking of trying one of these as an alternative to a block heater. The only thing I was concerned about was how hot these heaters got and would they cook the oil in the pan? I believe nice warm oil flowing through the engine on a cold winters morning would be much better at reducing engine wear and easier on the batteries too. How do they attach to the pan? Magnet or some sort of glue?

Go to kennedydiesel.com and click on truck accessories, then oil pan heater. It is on there solid with adhesive. My temp in AM is 170-175. I do plug both in at the same time (oil and block heater). Oil pressure with 5k miles and is Rotella 15/40 is @ 80-90. I am getting ready to change oil to Rotella syn 5/40. Good luck with the oil pan heater. I am glad I got one. ):h
Ben :ro)

Your oil pressure is 80-90 with the oil pan heater, and mine is 90 without the pan heater. Is there a reduced time in getting oil pressure to show on the gauge? Mine is 1-2 sec., but how long does the gauge take to read oil pressure? I'm using Rotella T 15w-40 also.

My temp in AM is 170-175. I do plug both in at the same time (oil and block heater).
holy crap, do you leave it plugged in all night or what?? mines at about 100 water temp on the attitude when its plugged in for 2-2.5 hours, cant imagine your utility bill runnin them both long enough to get it that hot!

I plug it in at work. I dont pay for it. At home I will switch to a timer after Christmas lights are done. I misspoke earlier. I paid better attention and oil pressures are 70 stating up when plugged in and not plugged in is @ 80. Sorry!
Ben

OK 70psi not 80psi on start up with oil pan heater. I had my truck plugged in at work today for 8 hours, I don't have oil pan heater, it was 2F went I got there and 10F went I left and my oil pressure was 70psi at start up.... I'm not tring to beat this oil pan heater subject into the ground, I'm just tring to see if it is worth buying by using your info. Thanks

I feel that warm oil is helpful when start up. The heat from that will rise up through to the rest of the engine. I am thankful I got it. It dont remember the oil pan heater being expensive.
Ben