engine block heater Duramax, freddy, anyone?
 

Anyone know if Chevy installed a block heater in their Duramax trucks as a standard package and not optioned. I read somewhere that they all have it? I am driving up to Calgary then onto SK this Christmas so block heater is almost a must. Any other alternative to the block heater if there isn't one from factory? Sticky em' on pad heater?

I know many of you live in the cold but what weight engine oil do I need to keep starting easier? Last time I was up there with my truck back in the mid 80s, my lil' Toyota froze. Lucky it didn't bust the radiator. I am going to remove half of my coolant to make it 75% instead of 50% live we have here

If installed- your owner's manual should show where the plug would be. Start there

On my Duramax dually model year 2001 the block heater plug was behind the passenger headlight and under the air filter box . It was taped into a bundle . I cut the tape and neatly draped it behind the air box for easy access . Have never used it .

Forgot the oil , go with 5W40 synthetic for best low temp starts . Several brands of diesel oil in that weight : Rotella , Mobil 1 , Chevron Delo are examples available almost anywhere .

I would have no idea what the damn thing look like? Any possible way to get a pic of this plug for me?

It's just a regular male outlet plug that plugs into an extension cord . Standard black color .

it was taped up in the engine bay behind the head lights?

Same place on mine . Right behind the passenger headlight. I have never used it . Im pretty impressed with how well it starts in the cold .

Yep you might have to remove the air filter box for better view .

Just sayin'. You are going at Christmas time not February.

Try looking for it just about 20 min ago with a flashlight with the head light off, no dice. Crawled under the truck, still nothing. Pulling the air cleaner tomorrow. Thanks for the tip.

yup, mine has it.

You may not need it but then again you might... 2 years ago it was -40 on Christmas night.

If you want to stop by for a coffee or a beer, we'd love to have you.

Typically it gets down to 10-15 below is the norm. Going to Regina and some small towns for a couple days to track some of the roots of my relatives. I thinks it get colder there with wind blowing in the empty hotel parking lot may freeze. You know if most hotels offer electricity for heaters?

Love to have a cup of joe if possible.

A couple of things:
 

Trucks sold new in Southern California generally aren't equipped w block heaters. My diesel PU came from Idaho and has a block heater. You might have to install one. Go on a Duramax forum and ask where it is on the engine and see if you have one. You might just be missing the cord.

Secondly, a 75% ratio of anti-freeze to water has a HIGHER freezing point than 50/50, not lower. Read the back of the coolant jug for ratios and temperatures. Better yet, find a competent shop that works on Duramax trucks where you can take it and have your coolant checked for freezing point. It may be fine now. Doesn't that thing have pink GM coolant?

It sounds like you're in over your head, here. Take it to someone who knows the trucks and they can check and install a heater if necessary and check your coolant while you make $$ doing what you're good at. :)

That's what Im thinking too, Socal truck without the cord. Pink coolant, yep. You know any good diesel shops around here, Dennis? Many diesel people are interested in working on big trucks, not pick ups. I am going up to Utah next week for a bit of skiing and see Arches NP with kids but not worry too much about low temps up there. I might be able to do this after I get back.

Just take it to the dealer and have them check the coolant that is in it for freezing temp and ask about the block heater. If the coolant hasn't been messed with, it should be fine. Might even be original, it's a "lifetime coolant."

If it needs a block heater, get a quote in writing w the part number or numbers and go to work on the internet looking for a cheaper price. That's how it's done.

Most hotels will have plug ins for a block heater.

What year is your duramax? I have the top end on my 03 partially ripped apart so I can check on wire routing for you.

Looking forward to the coffee.

When in doubt Youtube it :D This should help you out .


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuYmsx_mZvk

Youtube FTW. What on earth did people do before YT, besides scratch their heads and guess? :)

06

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vuYmsx_mZvk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I know where it is. I read that all Duramax has the plug installed from factory. From many of the videos, they all seen pretty easy to find but on my truck, I see nothing after digging around for 10 min. I will remove the air box later today and see.

I can’t seem to upload a photo... anyway, the wire is down by dip stick tube on the right front of the engine.

Didn't get a chance to look. Thanks for going through all the trouble for me. Dropped it off this afternoon for new glow plugs and fluid change so I ask them to have a look for the wire since its up on the rack. Thinking about installing a FASS filter and pump. You have one in your? I like to get 400k+ out of this truck.

Mine has just over 200k and a blown head gasket. I’ve been doing the 8 year head gaskets replacement because working on this thing irritates me. I work on it for about an hour until I get mad, then go onto something else... when the head gasket blew, I went into town and bought a new Tundra.

LBZ?

Are they know for blowing head gaskets? Shouldn't be?

You should be out working on it right now instead of fooking round here:D Bout' couple degrees below out there now?

As I think I said before, if it's like a Ford, they all have block heaters but some don't have the cord if they were sold in warm places. If that's the case, all you'll need is the electric cord from the parts counter and you're good to go.

Block heaters are a good idea in really cold places. I've never had any of my diesels in MN. in the winter, coldest was Mammoth and the old 7.3 started fine in the morning at 20 deg. or so. But that's not even cold in MN. or Canada. :)

I think you are right, Dannis. I researched a bit and they all seem to say all the Duramax comes with the block heater installed. The cord may not be there because its a socal truck. Many People say its tied up somewhere in the passenger side. Since I am getting glow plug replaced (had a bad one for more then a year), they are happy to look under there once up on the lift for oil change. Will report back in a couple days

Got the truck back this afternoon. Wow, 680 bucks for a set of glow plugs and oil change, anti-freeze is good. Getting FASS pump install in a couple weeks. The block heater plug was coiled up under the air box. Thanks for all your help.

Go to Pelican Parts BBS? SmileWavy

For questions like this? I don’t think so. Plus, there was no Pelicanparts before YouTube. :)