Should I have gotten the engine block heater?

[Sunbeam63]

I factory ordered my truck, and for some reason didn't think to select the cheap option of an engine block heater.

I plan to move back to my home state of Iowa after living in Oregon for a bit. While I'm looking forward to being near family, I am not looking forward to the polar vortexes. Did I make a mistake not getting an engine block heater? How do these trucks and engines start in 0 degree F temperature?

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[Mac Attack]

I factory ordered my truck, and for some reason didn't think to select the cheap option of an engine block heater.

I plan to move back to my home state of Iowa after living in Oregon for a bit. While I'm looking forward to being near family, I am not looking forward to the polar vortexes. Did I make a mistake not getting an engine block heater? How do these trucks and engines start in 0 degree F temperature?

Biggest question of the day: Is it a gas or diesel engine?

 

[Sunbeam63]

Biggest question of the day: Is it a gas or diesel engine?

It’s the gas motor.

 

[Mac]

No problems, no heater needed

 

[Mr._Bill]

You should be fine without it. If you have remote start, then you can have it warmed up before getting in.

If I order my next truck, I'm going to make sure it comes with every option. I bought off the lot, but it was one of the first they received, and it came with almost every option available.

 

[Kevin_D]

Running your motor just to warm it up wastes fuel and creates unnecessary emissions.
The truck will warm up within a few minutes of driving.

Kevin

 

[Sunbeam63]

I appreciate the responses guys. I’m less concerned about the cabin temperature, and more concerned about the engine temperature being so cold it won’t turn over. I remember in 2018, my Chrysler wouldn’t start at all for a few days.

But I think that was what Mac was getting at when he asked which engine I had.

 

[Challenger85]

I’ve had 5 cars since 2012 and never had any issues. I’m in Colorado so our cold isn’t as bad outside of a few days but never an issue.

 

[Josh00333]

Don't all the JT's have it? Just missing the cord. Search here I think you can buy the cord off amazon for $20 plugging it in is a b#$tch if I remember the thread right. Edit that;s just the Diesels.

But really in OR no, you don't needed it even on the East side the state, Nor in ID really. WI AK maybe. Need to be sub 10 deg constantly before I would worry bought it.

 

[MoxiesDad]

Cold starts shouldn't be a problem with the gas engine and 0W20 oil.

 

[IamPro2A]

Don't all the JT's have it? Just missing the cord. Search here I think you can buy the cord off amazon for $20 plugging it in is a b#$tch if I remember the thread right.

That's just the diesels that come with it. Because they need it. Unless you are someplace that regularly goes way below 0°F, you probably don't need a block heater for the gas engine.

Which does make me wonder though... where/what is the factory option on the gas engine? Is it a true block heater? In which case where/how is the element mounted? Or is it actually a coolant heater? If it's a coolant heater, that might be an option for people in cold climates who don't want to waste fuel/emissions warming the cabin up.

 

[Josh00333]

Oh ya the Diesel, that makes since.

 

[IamPro2A]

Which does make me wonder though... where/what is the factory option on the gas engine? Is it a true block heater? In which case where/how is the element mounted? Or is it actually a coolant heater? If it's a coolant heater, that might be an option for people in cold climates who don't want to waste fuel/emissions warming the cabin up.

Searching to answer my own question, it looks like the factory block heater is really a block heater. It mounts to the block, and warms the block, meaning it eventually warms the coolant in the block, and the oil. And it's a real PITA to install after the fact. Probably not worth it just to warm the cabin, considering how fast the cabin warms anyway.

Wonder if there's room to add a coolant heater like we use on some of the big diesel stuff at work. That heats and circulates the coolant.

 

[Montana_Wildcat]

Up here in Montana, you definitely need one! If you get anywhere near -30 or -40 like we do, it's a must. I bought my JT off the lot in Colorado and it did not come with one. I ordered it online and I'm gonna have my local dealer install it. Someone posted a how-to for the install here, but it's already too cold for me to attempt that, not having a garage.

 

[Mac]

Can also easily add the type that is a pad that mounts on the oil pan.

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER Pan 3M stick on Pad (120V U.S.A. / Long CORD) Designed for:V6 / 6 Cylinder Engines by Z-TOOL HEATER TEC.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YXTPRYK/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_V4BB18S4SHZB5GW4575P

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