topwop39
Akron,Ohio
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Joined: 09/20/2006
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Hello, I am new to the world of diesel tow vehicles. I just bought a 2003 GMC Sierra diesel truck. I have located the engine block heater cord. Is there anything else I need to do to heat the engine block other than just plug it in? No switches or anything that I am not thinking of? I plan on buying a timer to start heating about two hours before I leave for work, but tonight I think I will just plug it in and heat all night. Thanks for any help, sorry for the simplicity of this question.
2003 GMC Sierra 4x4 CC D/A
2007 Coachman Chaparral 269 BHS 5'er
prodigy brake controller, pullrite 14K superglide
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Engineer9860
Eagle Scout dad
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Yup, just plug it in. 
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
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rvert10
Utah
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engineer said it best "yup, plug it in." Have fun traveling
08 Dodge Mega Cab DRW,6spd auto, Exhaust break, 8'bed conversion (Best mistake I've made)
33' Teton Home Experience 3 slides, its not a trailer its a home
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Engineer9860
Eagle Scout dad
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The 2hr timer is a good idea also.
I have noticed alot of forum members on here do exactly what you are planning to do with the timer. No sense in using the electricity to run the heater all night. However, if you have to use the heater all night, I have been told by some that the block heater uses no more KW/hr than a 75 watt light bulb.
Some of our more northern friends even use the block heater in their garage. (Brrr  )
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robwen
NE OH
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Joined: 03/01/2005
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i dunno about the GM but the Ford block heaters are 1200-1500 watts
'98 Sunnybrook 30DB
'99 F250 SC 4x4 7.3L
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gmc851
Weymouth MA
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Don't plug it in until it goes below zero. It will start fine even at that. Go to dieselplace.com and start reading.
I could be wrong, your mileage may vary 
Doug & Jan
06 2500HD 6.6L D/A SB 28/33 Titanium 
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robsouth
Near Atlanta, GA
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We have temps in the low teens some winters and I have only plugged in one time just to see if it worked several years ago. As longs as the batteries are charged well, you are good to about zero or so. Weak batteries will give you problems.
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NavyDood
MD
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Plug it in and don't look back, unless there is some under lying issue with the Duramax's and heating them.
It's nice to have heat a lot quicker. If I don't plug my Cummins in when it is below 20°F, I DO NOT have any kind of respectable heat until about 20 miles down the road. My commute starts right out on the highway.
I swear I hear my truck thank me every time I plug her in. 
- 2004 2500 QC Short Bed, 4x4, 48re, Brite White, HOG 4" T-304 T-Back, Self made PSMBuick style intake, Isspro Pyro/Boost/Tranny Temp sittin on the dash
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Traveler II
Lindstrom, Minnesota
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We live in Minnesota and unless it going to below 0 we never think to plug it in. It starts all the time, and it doesn't take all that long to heat up.
Jim & Jane
2008 Cardinal 30TS
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weasel4
Alberta
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topwop39
Been using block heaters for 50 years. You know your engine best. Whatever temperature, you decide to plug it in, use a timer. It'll save you money over the long run.
BTC
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
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