Block heater - problems and best practices

[trialsmaster2]

Has anyone else had issues with their block heaters working intermittently and/or failing? In our case, we are on our second block heater, with this being our fourth winter with the Delica. Our first block heater shorted out somehow and would trip the outside plug in on the house. That block heater was replaced by our current block heater (this time a Napa model), which for whatever reason sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. I'm wondering if it might be a break in the cord that plugs into the block heater? There is some corrosion on the prongs of the plug (with the cap on, it traps water...with the cap off, it gets covered in road debris). I can rule out the extension cord to the house, as we picked up a new one days ago. Also, the plug in on the house hasn't tripped because of this block heater either.

From searching the forum, I'm going to picking up one of those lighted indicators to see that the house power is ok and whether the block heater is ok tonight.

Regarding best practices with block heaters... Since I leave for work at 6am every weekday, I don't really want to wake up at 3am or 4am to plug in the van. What I'm doing now, if it's much below zero out when it's time for me to head to bed, then I'll plug in the van. Would it be best to get a block heater timer of some sort, rather than plugging it in the previous night? What temperature below zero do people typically plug their vans in at? FYI, the van gets parked outdoors in our driveway and not immediately next to the house in the not-always-warm Okanagan. I'm also running 5W40 Shell Rotella T oil for the winter months too.

Thanks in advance,
Aaron

[92pajero]

With my Pajero I dont plug in till -10c, and I have had no problems with it at all. It sounds like bad cords and if thats the case, plugging it in and hoping it doesnt pop the breaker can lead to a fire and a loss of an import. I suggest is taking the cord out inspecting it and checking for any cuts in the insulation, if its cut, replace it and then reference where the cut was and reroute it or put something around it to protect it like a piece of rubber tubing. If all else fails I actually run an inline 750watt coolant heater and a 500 watt oil pan heater and when it gets to -25 or -30 the Pajero is at operating temp in a few minutes.


kelly

[thedjjack]

you can buy just the plug part (plugs in at the block heater) you can try just changing the cord (NAPA will have them)

You can also unplug them for the summer or Jay does a nice install with a covered plug on the side of the Van.

After 0C I would use the block heater and oil pan heater (way nicer for the motor, sure it will start without but harder on the parts).

Use a timer for sure as it only needs to warm up prior to start.

[Mr. Flibble]

You can buy temperature sensitive outlet adapters that will turn on when cold, this way, you plug in at night, if cold, it turns on, if not it stays off. They go for around $10

[trialsmaster2]

Thanks 92pajero and thedjjack.

I'll inspect the cord this weekend for any cuts or rub marks on it. I'll be sure to see if Napa has a replacement cord and give the cord some protection as required. Hopefully just a new cord will do it!

I hadn't heard of people taking the cord right off of their vehicle for the non-winter months. That would save a lot of wear and tear and corrosion!

Are there any particular features to look for in a block heater timer? Just one that I can set to start at "x:xx am" and run for x hours?
Where would you get that kind of outlet adapter from, Mr. Flibble?

Thanks,
Aaron

[nxski]

You dont need a specific block heater timer. If you have a timer for your Christmas lights you could just use that...

Also, does CVI or other shops do the exterior plug or is that just Jay's trademark?

[naterade]

I would suggest a simple outdoor outlet timer, commonly used for things like xmas lights. I don't think you'd need anything fancier than that. I'm certain Cdn Tire would carry these.

Last winter I would plug in before bed when I needed the van to start first thing in the morning. 2 hours never seemed to do much to get the block warm, so I always plugged it in way ahead of departure time.

Unsure if that will be necessary this year as I've just changed to 0w-40 Synthetic and have noticed huge improvements with cold starts already.

In the summer months i just wrap the heater cord up and pack it next to the battery, to avoid any damages.

[thedjjack]

You dont need a specific block heater timer. If you have a timer for your Christmas lights you could just use that...

Also, does CVI or other shops do the exterior plug or is that just Jay's trademark?

I think Jay custom designed the plug (I watched him install one in a few minutes on a Delica once, clean nice idea).

As for plugs I would go timer and then temperature sensor. That way only an hour before work the engine will warm if needed.

[nxski]

You dont need a specific block heater timer. If you have a timer for your Christmas lights you could just use that...

Also, does CVI or other shops do the exterior plug or is that just Jay's trademark?

I think Jay custom designed the plug (I watched him install one in a few minutes on a Delica once, clean nice idea).

As for plugs I would go timer and then temperature sensor. That way only an hour before work the engine will warm if needed.

So just get a block heater installed and then add the plug after?

[Jordan]

I think it is just a marine plug hooked up to the block heater, I am hooking one up to my block heater/trickle charger and want to add a 110v outlet inside for when plugged into shore power.

[Mr. Flibble]

Note, this might work for you (not that I am suggesting you get this very one off of Amazon, but it is inexpensive!)

http://www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovators-T ... supplies_3

[MardyDelica]

try not to over burn your block heater i would say max to plug is 3 Hour time straight my guess;
pls dont pluig overnight might cook the cyl head as there is no circulation:
unplug the household plug first before starting the engine otherwise it destroy the block heater
positive from the house and positive on the car will cause the block heater to fail later.
hope this help you guys
cheer;s
Mardy

[Manitoba deli]

try not to over burn your block heater i would say max to plug is 3 Hour time straight my guess;
pls dont pluig overnight might cook the cyl head as there is no circulation:
unplug the household plug first before starting the engine otherwise it destroy the block heater
positive from the house and positive on the car will cause the block heater to fail later.
hope this help you guys
cheer;s
Mardy

This sounds crazy to me. A block heater can be plugged in 24/7 without hurting your engine. The coolant will circulate by convection. All the vehicles in our fire hall (yes inside) have there block heaters plugged in 24/7 from Oct to May. Our oldest unit is an '81 and still has the original block heater. My question would be do you have a block heater, or a lower rad hose heater? I've seen lots of the l300's with a lower rad hose heater, that people call block heaters. These don't work well on the l300's due to the fact that the thermostat is right above them on the lower rad hose, and doesn't let the coolant circulate well, and they are usually only 200 watts. Out here we use those for quads and snowmobiles, not vehicles. As for having to unplug your block heater before starting, I've never heard of this as a mechanic, and there are thousands of vehicles in Manitoba that are started by remote, while they are still plugged in. I'd be interested to hear how starting it while plugged in would hurt the block heater, as the element, cord, and all household current are insulated so that there is no chance of you being zapped if you touch the vehicle when it is plugged in.

Jason

[lrp374]

I can see a trip to Princess Auto in your future!!

[MardyDelica]

hi, jason,
maybe it will sound crazy but i have some customer that do have this problem.
start the car and with plug in 110v attached on it. block heater dont last long.too much volt coming in.
dont know why. i have to suggest what work for my customer now.
block heater dont last 3 month.
customer do diff way.
have customer that do normal way range from 2 hr or 3 hour plug max and still working for now no problem at all.
i just do the way when its working good.
its not easy to put block heater on this L400 And L300
just do my experience feedback from my customer.
hope this help
cheer;s
mardy