Features to know about

Get Your Caterpillar Engine Ready for the Workday

Cold weather doesn't change the work that needs to get done. Maybe you have a truck heading out for deliveries or a piece of construction equipment waiting for the crew to arrive. When a diesel engine has been sitting outside all night, freezing temperatures can make starting harder. This 1,000-watt Zerostart heater warms the engine coolant before startup, reducing cold-start strain and helping the engine reach operating temperature sooner. It's a practical way to prepare your equipment before the first job of the day.

Match the Heater to Your Caterpillar Engine

Caterpillar engines are used in commercial trucks, construction machinery, and other industrial equipment, so the machine itself doesn't always tell you which heater fits. This model is made for select Caterpillar 3114, 3116, 3126, 3126B, C7, C7 ACERT, and CFE engines. The CFE designation refers to a Caterpillar/Freightliner engine application.

Engine production years matter, especially with the C7. The manufacturer lists the earlier C7 applications from before 2004 and C7 ACERT engines from 2004 through 2007. Before ordering, confirm your engine model and year using the manufacturer's application information. That's particularly important when maintaining older equipment that may have had an engine replacement.

Replace the Correct Freeze Plug to Warm Coolant Directly

This is a freeze-plug-style immersion heater, not a threaded heater or dry cartridge. It replaces the specified 44 mm core plug at the center of the engine's right side, placing the heating element directly in the coolant. As the coolant warms, natural convection distributes heat through the cooling passages, giving the engine a warmer starting point.

Installation involves opening the cooling system, so allow the engine to cool and drain coolant as directed before removing the existing core plug. Clean and inspect the opening, then position and secure the heater according to the manufacturer's instructions. Refill the cooling system, remove trapped air, and check for leaks before connecting electrical power.

Use the High-Temperature Cord Made for This Heater

A working diesel can have a crowded engine compartment, with exhaust components and moving parts near the heater connection. This kit includes a special high-temperature power cordset for the Caterpillar application. Route and secure the cord according to the installation instructions, keeping it away from hot surfaces, sharp edges, and moving components.

The cord is removable, so damage to the electrical connection doesn't mean replacing a functioning heater. Phillips & Temro identifies replacement cord 3600048, a 6' high-temperature silicone cord, for this model. Use the matching replacement rather than substituting a cord intended for a different heater.

Know Who Makes Your Zerostart Heater

Zerostart is a Phillips & Temro brand. You may already recognize Phillips & Temro from original-equipment engine-heating applications, even if the Zerostart name is less familiar. The company develops heating products for commercial trucks, construction machinery, and industrial engines. That experience is useful when maintaining working equipment and choosing a heater with the correct engine fit and electrical rating.