Block heater - problems and best practices

[Manitoba deli]

If the block heater is burning out prematurely, my bet is that it was installed incorrectly, and has nothing to do with starting the vehicle while plugged in. If the element is even slightly touching any metal inside the block, it won't last. When properly installed, it will usually last the life of the vehicle, it is the cords and contacts that often fail earlier if not properly protected. I know how the degree of difficulty installing block heaters on the l400 and l300, I have done many. They are not that bad. There are so many NA vehicles that are far more difficult to install. I am of course talking about a true block heater, one that goes in the frost plug hole on the engine block. If you are talking about a lower rad hose heater, then I would say it is burning out prematurely due to the fact that it is installed below the thermostat, and the coolant isn't being allowed to circulate. It would be hard to sell a vehicle (especially a diesel) to someone in Manitoba if you were to tell them it could only be plugged in for 3 hrs, and they had to unplug in before starting. Plugging in is a part of life here for at least 4 months of the year.

Jason

[MardyDelica]

hi, jason,
this is thru my experience nothing wrong with the installation for the block heater.
i understand what you mean. we do many of this L300 and L400 jason,
its not the installation problem. for some reason this happen to some of my client that do this way.
you have to rememebr one of our fellow L300 who almost burn the whole car by plugging the block heater for 24 hr.
i am hoping it not by wrong installation.
hope this is just happen.
in short for this topic we just try which one works and will go forward on that.
were here to exchange idea and thats good.
this how delica.ca was form exchanging idea not debating who is the no. 1 or more knowledge on this car.
you got your point but i wont suggest thsi 24 hour to my client as i will be the one to be liable on this if anything happen.
i treasure my customer for there safety and benefit for there car.
hope this help other people;
Cheers;
Mardy

[lrp374]

Have you solved your problem yet Aaron? My bet is it's the cord. I think I may have an extra 1 if you need it.

Larry

[trialsmaster2]

The block heater I have is the in-the-engine-block variety, rather than an oil pan or rad hose heater.

I'm going to take a look at Napa for a replacement cord this weekend (as well as picking up a block heater timer). If that's all it is, then I'll be a happy camper! If the block heater has to get swapped out again, then

[Firesong]

My 2 cents:

You can plug a block heater in 24/7 if you want.
It won't harm an engine.

You can leave the cord plugged in and it won't harm anything
either.

I agree with the others saying that the most likely culprit
is the cord. Could be worn, if it's grounding out it will throw
the breaker in the house. If it's intermittent then could be broken
pinched wires in the rubber cord.

Really, the element that forms the heater is pretty simple in design
which is why it will usually last the life of the vehicle.

I think most fires are caused by the oil pan heaters which have frayed wiring
and are in contact with oil splashes etc.

I usually don't plug the van in until -7 ish, then 1/2 hour before I go I plug
it in just to get the cosy super easy start. I also have a pan heater.

FS

[konadog]

I leave the cord to my block heater plugged in year 'round. It comes out under the passenger seat and only comes out in the winter and only sees the outside when I plug it in and hang it out the bottom of the door. Seems prudent to me to keep electrical things out of the weather as much as possible.
I don't have the need so not the the experience of you real cold weather guys, but I do plug in my bus for an hour or so before motoring when it's frosty. I figure it's got to be better for the longevity of the motor to have that extra bit of heat, even it it will start without it at minus 3 or 4.
What came first, block heaters or antifreeze?
Surely, as stated above, a block heater is meant to be plugged in for extended periods and still last the life of the vehicle.

[MardyDelica]

good point everybody has there own opinion and do trully respect that
cheers;
mardy

[trialsmaster2]

Are there any tricks for unplugging the cord from the block heater, or must the dipstick tube come off? It's mighty tight space between the dipstick tube and back of the plug on our automatic L300.

[MardyDelica]

hi, you just need to unmplug it under your front bumper.
if the block heater cord is not long enough.
just do what ever works for you
hope thsi help you
cheer;s
mardy

[trialsmaster2]

Thanks for the reply, Mardy, but I'm talking about replacing the cord that plugs directly into the block heater that is mounted in the engine block. I picked up a replacement cord from Napa, but the connector part of the cord that plugs into the block heater sure is tight to the dipstick tube! I'm wondering if the dipstick tube must come off or if there is some sort of trick to getting the old cord off and new cord onto the block heater with the dipstick tube still in place?

[lrp374]

If I remember it may be easiest to reach from under the van. You need small hands and being double jointed doesn't hurt either. If you need to take the dip stick out to try from the top I think you undo 1 small bolt and just pull it out.

[MardyDelica]

hi, i think you can squezed it in.
but make sure put around and tape on the cord or plastic cover they used when the re wire the electrical system
cheers: