I have an 06 Dakota Quad 4.7 and had a factory engine block heater installed (no charge, tossed in as a "deal closer") but it doesn't seem to do much. From the advice here I have tested both "plug in all night" and also "2 hours before driving on a timer" modes. In both cases the temp gauge doesn't move on start and there is very modest heat coming out of the dash. I drive slowly about 2 miles and then the guage climbs and we get heat... which is just .5 mile more than it takes cold.

It hasn't been too cold here in Pittsburgh so this isn't a deep freeze test but in comparison to heaters I've had in the past (both block and water hose styles, factory and after market, trucks and cars) this isn't very impressive at all. I am used to lots of heat once the key is turned.

I called the dealer to see what spec info the have on max heat / watts but they had nothing to report.

Am I expecting too much here? What's the best way to test this unit for proper function?

Thanks!

 

I'm thinking, just from a ratio point of view, what kind of trucks did you have before? Full size or Diesel engine trucks? I'm thinking, because I was going to get this on a Diesel truck before buying the Dakota, but maybe since the 4.7l engine isn't too big of an engine, the block heater isn't as heavy duty as a full sized pickup engine block heater. I will do some searching on the net and try to find specs on the stock heater, but maybe an aftermarket heater would be a good investment if you're looking for something to keep your engine block nice and warm. I'll report back if I find something.

EDIT:
I went on to do some searching, found some other ideas. What size wire are you using to plug it in? From reading, a heavy duty extension cord, 12 or 10 gauge wire is the best way to go with a heater, as if it's smaller it can't get enough electricity to the heater so it's not opperating right. Just a fast search on what I found.

 

The block heater is only their to keep the water in the block from freezing. It's no their to make your heater work faster.

 

Get a remote start installed and start your truck a few minutes before you plan to leave so the truck can warm up.

 

The idea about a remote start kit is a good a good one but I can't agree on the suggested purpose of the heater. With modern anti-freeze the possibility of actual freezing is very unlikelyunless you are really using simple water... if so buy some anti-freeze and soon. If the purpose is to increase engine heat so as to make it easier to start and thus reduce starter / battery drain it also keeps the oil warm so it flows faster and easier increasing early runtime lubrication reducing wear and damage.Making it 5 degrees warmer than the ambient air doesn't do much.

In the past I've had these in a variety of MOPAR (always!) gas engines - 440 ci, 383 ci, 360 ci, 225 ci and 2.2L but not in a diesel. In all cases the primary purpose of engine heat also translated into fastinterior heat as well - you can't really do one without the other as a happy side effect. So if the coolant in the heater core is cold I have to assume the same is true in the block and so maybe it isn't working at all.

I will check the extension cord both for size and function.

THANKS!

 

The block heater only heats the water in the block because their is no pump to move the water thoughout the cooling system. Because it only heats theblock water than the engine has to heat all the water in the heater core and the radiator once it is running. It is meant for use were the temp is really cold like below 0.

 

Tech just told me that the block heater is primarly to keep the oil from freezing in below zero weather.

 

Maybe so but past usage for me also meant faster glass defrosts and cabin heat.