Engine Block Heater value?

[NurseDan]

If I’m not mistaken, every Canadian Bronco has it standard so I have nothing to contribute.

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[AK SNO RIDER]

I won't say "don't get it" but I will say you DO NOT need it. I live in Alaska, and daily drive an RS that doesn't have a block heater. Modern vehicles will still start at temps well below zero without help.

The $100 will get you the heating element and a male end plug in the bumper/grill. Not something that will reach an outlet.

BTW, I'll mention this as well since many seem to be unaware- Block heaters heat your coolant, not your oil. You'll have a warm engine block but a pan full of cold oil. Any warmth in your oil is heat transfer from a warm block to the pan and will be minimal.

 

[Philly]

I questioned whether or not I would need it and decided probably not, but I know I would use it if i had it. So, I ultimately decided to get it. It's not very expensive and I plan to keep the Bronco until I run it into the ground so it's just one less thing I will have to add if I ever do need it. The only time you "have to" use it is below 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 C) and even then, you will be fine unless it is much, much colder. It just helps reduce wear and tear on cold starts.

 

[BigFootie]

If she ain’t parked outside at 20 below, don’t bother. PS: it comes with about 1.5 ft of cord. As stated above, you would need an extension cord.

 

[LiquidIQ]

I was thinking some of the same thoughts in this thread. Plan to keep it garaged here in CO, but it might be nice to have it backed into the driveway and ready for fire calls if needed.

So what exactly does it heat? Seems to mount pretty far up on the block to heat the oil...

 

[BigFootie]

I was thinking some of the same thoughts in this thread. Plan to keep it garaged here in CO, but it might be nice to have it backed into the driveway and ready for fire calls if needed.

So what exactly does it heat? Seems to mount pretty far up on the block to heat the oil...

Heats the coolant.

 

[BigFootie]

I was thinking some of the same thoughts in this thread. Plan to keep it garaged here in CO, but it might be nice to have it backed into the driveway and ready for fire calls if needed.

So what exactly does it heat? Seems to mount pretty far up on the block to heat the oil...

If you need it they work well. They are a PITA to plug in. Normally cold and cord is tucked up under the front bumper. The car starts much better when it is below 0F and has been plugged in overnight.

 

[BroncoBass]

I'm getting a manual, so remote start is out of the question for me. On cold, below freezing days, the block heater will make that wait to defrost the windows and warm up the vehicle just a little more comfortable, so that's why I'm getting it.

 

[Firefly]

On cold, below freezing days, the block heater will make that wait to defrost the windows and warm up the vehicle just a little more comfortable

EXACTLY why it is worth the $100 to me too.

 

[Murph914]

I live near Boston. You'll never use it. A diesel? sure. Maybe 10 times a year. For use in North Dakota upper Michigan area.

Spend the dough on:

• Nice Charger from CTEK
• A good steak
• A bottle of 18 year old scotch

 

[LiquidIQ]

But it can be added as an accessory correct? We should all have some Ford cash or whatever they are calling it to use for accessories.

 

[BroncoBass]

EXACTLY why it is worth the $100 to me too.

Right?? Seems like a no brainer. At least for the MT.

 

[Flourman]

I drove a 1975 F150 with a carb and ran 10w40 oil, in Minnesota for 3 years and never felt a need for a block heater. It started fine every morning even at 30 below for about a week. I did put a trickle charger on every night.

My current F150 is a Canadian import and has a block heater, which corroded away and is a warranty fix. The dealer said they won’t fix them unless you are in a northern state.
As a lot of people have said, it’s not worth it at all unless you plan to move to Saskatoon.

 

[BR0NCO]

$100 seems pretty cheap to me. I had one in a VW I had and would have instant heat to defrost the windows. It’s a decent option with the manual since remote start isn’t much of an option. I don’t think it’s really for warming up the block for easier starting, that doesn’t seem to be much of an issue now a days

 

[Deleted member 3063]

Ordered the Ford Engine block heater on my 2000 Ranger for $35. To my surprise it included a heating pad for the battery as well. Used it twice in 5 yrs, when 20 below. With todays oil, it's really not needed.

It was also my only warranty claim on that truck when it blew out of the block and puked coolant all over the road. The only thing holding it in was an o-ring.

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