02excursion73
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• Herndon, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/8/2007 |
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• 46 posts |
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 Posted:2/13/2007 22:08 |
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Does anyone know if there is a problem with having the engine block heater plugged in for long periods on my PSD? My Ex is a second vehicle and sometimes does not get driven for 3 -5 days. Lately with the cold weather I have left it plugged in all the time. Anything to worry about?
2002 Excursion 4*4 Limited, Motorcraft AIS, Oil Crossover Tube, Zoodad Mod, Pirelli ATR 285's, Magnaflow 4" exhaust with 3.5" downpipe and twin mufflers,
V codes with mini spring packs, Modified F codes, Rancho steering stabilizer, Edelbrock shocks, 05 X rear anti sway bar, V10 Trans cooler, Diesel Site 203 Thermostat. |
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aklim
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• Hartford, WI, USA |
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• Registered on 2/20/2006 |
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• 133 posts |
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Posted:2/13/2007 22:10 |
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Besides your electric bill? Well, I suppose it will wear out faster than if you used a timer and set it for 2 hrs before you think you will need it.
01 Excursion. Gauges with AIH Delete, AIS Air Filter system, CCV Mod, 4' MBRP, BTS Trans, 6.0L Trans Cooler and Intercooler, DP-Tuner F6 chip, ITP In Tank Mod and Boost Annihilator, Diesel Innovation's Regulated Fuel kit, BTS Big Oil system, GTP38R Turbo with 1.15 A/R housing and BDP Stage II AC injectors. Bilstein Shocks with U code front and A code Rear. Billet thermostat housing |
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Oil-Pig
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• Sheboygan, WI, USA |
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• Registered on 11/17/2005 |
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• 52 posts |
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Posted:2/13/2007 22:22 |
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Even without a timer just plug her in the night before cause its gotta be one heck of a electric bill with it plugged in all the time.
I use Rotella Synthetic and never had a cold start problem and I got no romp either. When I used Dino Oil she would just about flip over when it was cold out and never wanted to start right up. Coldest start without plugging it in was sitting for 3 days at -13F and poped right off like it was 30 out.
I'd rather be in the boat with a drink on the rocks then in the drink with the boat on the rocks.... But either way theres gonna be a good story!!!  |
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02excursion73
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• Herndon, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/8/2007 |
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• 46 posts |
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Posted:2/13/2007 22:53 |
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What viscosity Rotella oil do you run in the cold months?
2002 Excursion 4*4 Limited, Motorcraft AIS, Oil Crossover Tube, Zoodad Mod, Pirelli ATR 285's, Magnaflow 4" exhaust with 3.5" downpipe and twin mufflers,
V codes with mini spring packs, Modified F codes, Rancho steering stabilizer, Edelbrock shocks, 05 X rear anti sway bar, V10 Trans cooler, Diesel Site 203 Thermostat. |
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02excursion73
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• Herndon, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/8/2007 |
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• 46 posts |
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Posted:2/13/2007 22:54 |
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Thanks for the dose of common sense! I will hook up the timer.
2002 Excursion 4*4 Limited, Motorcraft AIS, Oil Crossover Tube, Zoodad Mod, Pirelli ATR 285's, Magnaflow 4" exhaust with 3.5" downpipe and twin mufflers,
V codes with mini spring packs, Modified F codes, Rancho steering stabilizer, Edelbrock shocks, 05 X rear anti sway bar, V10 Trans cooler, Diesel Site 203 Thermostat. |
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monsta
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• The Big Island, HI, USA |
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• Registered on 1/5/2002 |
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• 1,056 posts |
• 2
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Posted:2/14/2007 02:24 |
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| Quote: | | Thanks for the dose of common sense! I will hook up the timer. |
Most timers have multiple settings for ON & OFF. You could always set it to go on and off multiple times during the day. Figure it'll take a little bit of time for it to lose the heat it just generated.
I gotta say...for those of you who know me, I' m fairly active on message boards and have been for a number of years. This time of the year there are always a [i]few[/i] block heater threads. But THIS year there are tons! And in gas engines forums, too! So much for Global Warming... 
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SOILPROBE
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• Washington CH, OH, USA |
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• Registered on 9/6/2004 |
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• 31 posts |
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Posted:2/14/2007 20:22 |
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With the experience of using block heaters on our family farm, other than the extra draw on the electric, which I never paid attention to, plug it in and leave it. We have hardly ever had problems with block heaters on any piece of equipment we had. The last one I replaced was better than 25 years old and used every day in winter, because the tractor would not start with out it. But they are mechanical devices and do fail. I have had my 01 X plugged in everynight since the mid January when it finally got cold here. My thoughts are using a block heater everynight is better trying to start a cold engine when I forget to plug it in. Just my 2 cents.
Dave |
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Pharmer
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• Mackinaw City, MI, USA |
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• Registered on 12/19/2002 |
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• 52 posts |
• 2
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Posted:2/15/2007 21:08 |
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I set the timer to run for 2-3 hours before start up, plenty of time since the Ex is in the garage. Fires up with a quiet idle. |
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Oil-Pig
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• Sheboygan, WI, USA |
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• Registered on 11/17/2005 |
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• 52 posts |
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Posted:2/16/2007 10:14 |
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| Quote: | | What viscosity Rotella oil do you run in the cold months? |
5w-40 and I never plug in. The only cold weather problem I have had was fuel related. She has started right up even sitting for days at -13F. Its more expensive then conventional oil but its still less then a tank of fuel and I run it for 5000 before I change it. Heres a link http://www.shell-lubricants.com/products/pdf/RotellaTSynthetic.pdf
Chris
I'd rather be in the boat with a drink on the rocks then in the drink with the boat on the rocks.... But either way theres gonna be a good story!!! |
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02excursion73
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• Herndon, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/8/2007 |
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• 46 posts |
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Posted:2/16/2007 12:50 |
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Thanks Chris, Do you run the 5W40 all year round? and do you think it helped fuel econo at all?
2002 Excursion 4*4 Limited, Motorcraft AIS, Oil Crossover Tube, Zoodad Mod, Pirelli ATR 285's, Magnaflow 4" exhaust with 3.5" downpipe and twin mufflers,
V codes with mini spring packs, Modified F codes, Rancho steering stabilizer, Edelbrock shocks, 05 X rear anti sway bar, V10 Trans cooler, Diesel Site 203 Thermostat. |
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