Howdy ya'll
I was recently under my truck doing my 30,000 mile maintenance and I noticed a plug going into the driver's side of my engine (2002 4.6L) that looks like an orange extension cord. I'm assuming this is a block heater. I tried to trace it up, but couldn't. Not that I need a block heater down here in Texas, but if I wanted to use it, how do I go about doing so? Does the owner's manual show me this (I haven't looked yet)?

 

Sounds like a block heater... although the orange cord means it could be aftermarket? (my stock one was black). It usually goes to a freeze plug in the side of the block. They are recommended by Ford to use when -10F... you just plug it in for about a half hour or so before you start it. Alaska Dept of Environmental Conservation recommends using them at +20F and below to reduce emissions during cold startup.

 

HI!... Some of the ealier trucks came with orange cords, some with black. My "99" had a orange cord from the factory. We get cold winters up here in Canada. I used to keep mine plugged in all night. All it is, is like a heating element. Heats up the coolant a bit. Also helps it not to freeze if your in really cold climate and your antifreeze mixture is not up to snuff.

 

The heater will blow warm air sooner also. Less warm up time in cold weather.

 

Really only "needed" on the diesels plugged in for two hours below freezing for a warm defroster, and you can go below 0 on a gasser no problems without a block heater.

Adrianspeeder

 

Hell, I plug mine in when its 35* outside. Just to reduce hard starts and warm-up time. One doesnt really do much. When I get this 4six out of here, the 5.4 I'm putting in is going to have two block heaters... Plug the cord into an outlet and listen for a steaming kettle sound from the engine bay. That'll mean you do indeed have a block heater.Most of us need extention cords cause our trucks are parked far away from a outlet, get the shortest, thickest cord you can. It helps the amperage draw and efficiency

 

My '99 F-350 Diesel has a black cord from the drivers side..
I use it if it gets 20F or lower at night..

But if its gonna be 0-10F during the day i plug it in at work too...

10 hrs outside is 10 hrs outside sun or no sun..

...zap!

 

This thread might be helpful.

 

Thanks ya'll, but I am aware of why the block heater exists. My question is, how do I plug it in? I searched the owner's manual, and it doesn't mention a block heater anywhere in the entire thing. Do I just plug a regular extension cord into the end of it, or is there some special adapter or cord that I need to use? Also, after looking up under the truck, I still can't even see where the other end of the block heater cable is. It looks as if it ends up somewhere up under the airfilter. Can someone tell me where it is? Thanks in advance, and I appreciate all the help.

 

yeah,you just plug it into an extension chord

 

Reach through the lower airdam on the driver's side toward the foglight. It may be zipped tied behind the plastic panel. It will have a cap on the end to protect the plug. I installed a ford factory one on my truck and that's where the kit instructed me to route all the cable. Hope this helps.

 

Does anyone know what the rated current draw is on the factory heater?

Steve

 

most factory block heaters are 600 watts

 

The diesels use a 1000 watt element or a little over 8 amps. Can't imagine the gassers have a bigger one.

Adrianspeeder