Winter Prep: Block Heaters, Diesel Heaters & Fuel System Readiness

By Sammuel MacMullin | Proven Mining Solutions Inc.

❄️ When the Cold Shows Up, Be Ready for It

Winter doesn’t gradually introduce itself — one day it’s cool, the next morning everything is frozen solid. Machines are stiff, batteries drag, hydraulics are slow, and oil moves like honey.

A well-prepped fleet runs through winter. A poorly prepped fleet spends half the morning trying to start.

Winter prep is about:

• Protecting people

• Protecting equipment

• Protecting uptime

🧊 Why Cold-Weather Prep Matters

• Cold-start wear damages engines

• Gelled fuel stalls production

• Cold cabs make operators miserable

• Downtime gets expensive quickly

🔥 Block Heaters – The First Line of Defense

Block heaters warm coolant (or in some systems oil), helping engines reach temperature more evenly and safely.

Inspect:

• Cord ends and plugs for burning or corrosion

• Correct coolant levels and correct glycol mixture

• Extension cords rated for winter duty

🧰 Quick Testing Tip — Check Resistance

Testing a block heater with a multimeter takes 30 seconds:

1. Unplug the block heater

2. Set meter to ohms

3. Touch probes to the two flat prongs

Results:

• Normal: Shows a consistent resistance reading

• Zero ohms: Shorted element

• Open / no reading: Burned-out element

**If your block heater is tripping breakers, the element or cord is almost always the problem.

🔥 Diesel Coolant & Oil Heaters (Espar / Webasto style)

These heaters warm coolant and oil by circulating heated fluid through the engine — reducing cold-start stress and warming the cab without idling.

Benefits:

• Faster startup

• Less idling + fuel savings

• Reduced wear

• Warmer operator environment

Maintenance:

• Run monthly year-round to prevent carbon buildup

• Inspect fuel supply lines

• Ensure coolant circulation isn’t restricted

🌬️ Air Heaters (Cabin & Bunk Heat Without Idling)

Air heaters warm air, not coolant — perfect for operators working remote or overnight conditions.

Key Checks:

• Replace combustion screens and glow plugs as needed

• Confirm fuel is winter grade

• Ensure combustion air intake and exhaust ports are clear

• Run heaters monthly to prevent carbon fouling

⏱️ Timers & Power Management

Heaters don’t need to run 24/7.Timers = lower power bills + longer heater life.

Set timers: 2–3 hours before shift start.

Also verify:

• Circuit amperage capacity

• Extension cord gauge

• GFCI outlet condition

Good electrical planning = reliable warm starts.

⛽ Fuel System Winterization

• Switch to winter diesel early

• Use anti-gel additive when temperatures fluctuate

• Keep tanks full to reduce condensation

• Change filters before every major cold snap

• Drain water separators often

**The #1 winter no-start issue is gelled fuel filters. Prevention = pennies Downtime = dollars

❌ Common Winter Prep Mistakes

• Leaving heaters plugged in 24/7

• Not testing block heaters before first freeze

• Running diesel heaters only in winter (carbon buildup)

• Using summer coolant mixtures

• Overloading electrical circuits

🧠 Pro Tips From the Field

• Test block-heater resistance before winter — quick and easy

• Label heater cords to track failures

• Use heavy-gauge winter-rated extension cords

• Verify coolant freeze protection using a refractometer

• Keep fuel filters and separator bowls clean going into every cold snap

• Run diesel heaters all year — even once a month prevents carbon fouling

🔧 Proven Mining Has You Covered

Whether it’s:

• Installing block heaters

• Servicing diesel-fired coolant or air heaters

• Winterizing fuel systems

• Designing timer-controlled warmup routines

Proven Mining Solutions keeps your fleet reliable when temperatures drop.

📞 587-723-8777🌐 provenmining.ca