block and oil heaters

Does anyone have much experience with block and oil heaters.I have been told they can extend the life of your vehicle by keeping your fluids warm to avoid engine wear. I have also been told they can improve mpg on short/city trips. Are there any downsides to them? Will they breakdown oil faster or cook your antifreeze? I have a block heater installed on a duelly case tractor and it sounds like the antifreeze is boiling when I plug it in? I know they vary from engine to engine.that's why I ask.

 

There are lots of threads on this. Here is one of them.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/4-cylinder/189848-block-heater.html#post4143076

 

Anyone with experience on these? Just wanted singer first hand yea or nay

 

Pretty much everyone up in Canada has a block heater (except for those goofy coastal folks). I live further north and I have both a block heater and an oil pan heater. I plug mine in when it gets colder than about -10C (14F). Starting an engine in the cold causes alot of wear.. initially there's no lubrication, metal is cold and brittle, etc..

I haven't heard of any downsides to having a block heater. They never get warm enough to 'boil' the water or oil.

I don't know how cold it gets in Utah, but having a warm engine, and especially warm oil, is a good thing.

 

Good to know thanks