[jsand6769]

So a friend of the family just had a house fire, it destroyed 2 trucks, the 5th wheel camper and 1/2 of the house(burned to the ground). Everyone is ok. The fire dept determined the cause of the fire to be the block heater in his 2003 duramax truck.

The truck was plugged in but was parked just outside the garage door. The cord into the wall socket was in great shape. The fire started under the hood of the truck.

Well the insurance company is getting everything moving but talked to the home owner about the fire. The company told my friend that they have had so many of these gm block heaters cause fires that they will be suing gm for damages. My friend will be taken care of by his insurance so he will have no part in the law suit.

I do not know who makes the heater for gm but there is only a few companys out there so this may apply to all consumers with block heaters in their vehicles.

Folks I would think about getting a new one installed as when the elements get older they draw more amperage and could overheat the cord (from the heater to the house cord).

By the way this truck was immaculate, the owner is one of those anal guys who keeps everything in awesome shape. He even waxes the inside of the bed.

I just am hoping to save you the trouble if this is a real concern that is starting to show up.

 

[Elcoman]

I wonder if the ones that catch fire have oil leaks?

 

[jsand6769]

I wonder if the ones that catch fire have oil leaks?

I cant say for the other ones, but this truck definately did not have any oil leaks. Even if it did the cord still should not get that hot. But it could happen I suppose if the leak was at the element area.

 

[Bill Rose]

I'm wondering why it didn't trip the breaker, when it started getting hot. A good idea in the future might be to have a arc-fault circuit interrupter to plug a truck into. They sense arcing and shut off.

 

[novaderrik]

this is why you should never run a block heater. the cords on them are just too small for what they are.
actually, a properly used block heater shouldn't be a problem- they aren't designed to be left plugged in over night. plug them in an hour or so before you intend to run it, or put it on a timer. you will appreciate the smaller electric bill and the lack of a burnt down vehicle and house..

 

[CDN SS]

pretty sure new gm block heater cords have thermostat at plug end that turns off the power at a preset temp......... regardless an overheated cord should have tripped the breaker ....... a gfi breaker

 

[BlueSS454]

The plug on mine caught fire last year but that was due to the cord being frayed. It grounded itself out caught. Luckily I saw it right as it happened and was able to escape with minimal damage.

 

[Schurkey]

plug them in an hour or so before you intend to run it, or put it on a timer. you will appreciate the smaller electric bill

Ding! Ding! Ding! We HAVE a WINNER!

The wonderful thing about block heaters is that they take so much LESS current than a tank heater. And, yes, an hour is plenty.

That said...the thing should be SAFE even if it's plugged in in November and not unplugged until April. SOMETHING was defective.

 

[jsand6769]

Ding! Ding! Ding! We HAVE a WINNER!

The wonderful thing about block heaters is that they take so much LESS current than a tank heater. And, yes, an hour is plenty.

That said...the thing should be SAFE even if it's plugged in in November and not unplugged until April. SOMETHING was defective.

You are correct. Block heaters were never intended to alow the cab to be warm when you get in the truck, They are only to help the vehicle start. Even the drivers of our tow trucks dont understand that concept

 

[CDN SS]

FYI .......an hour wont do squat where I live ............ but on and off every hour or so is fine