Block Heater question?...

kabiblueline · 12-02-2011, 11:12 AM

OK. I definitely do NOT have the block heater installed.

Can anyone else from Colorado check and see if they do or do not have it?

I thought I saw the list of "cold-weather" states somewhere, and Colorado was included.....

aggie76 · 12-05-2011, 07:02 PM

Was down to -7F here this a.m. so spouse wanted to be sure the plug was available in case she had to go out. Can't believe they mounted it the way it is so it's not easily available to drivers without opening the hood or having to make a modification. My F150 has it hanging right out of the bumper, easy to tuck behind during summer and access in winter.

Living up here in northern MN folks use block or oil pan heaters nearly everyday from mid-December to mid-February. Yes, our company parking lot has electrical outlets on the light poles so everyone can plug in while at work.

Going to call the dealer tomorrow and see what they say about how to route it.

*peterk9* · 12-05-2011, 07:33 PM

I believe that some members have been successful in fishing it through the grill.

charliez · 12-06-2011, 08:10 AM

The block heaters I've come across has always been short, but not that super short.

It's always funny when I remember arriving home in the garage and find the plug hanging out the grille because I forgot to unplug it from the AC jack at school.

It's even funnier when I see other cars have cables dangling!

**JohnnyO** · 12-06-2011, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willwitten

I wonder if I can add the parts to mine to give me the same block heater.
I looked in the online parts catalog and could not find it.
Has anyone done this?

Dealers are usually able to add the factory ones.
We got my wife's Taurus used, it was originally purchased in Canada and has a block heater. It rarely gets THAT cold here in PA but it is pretty sweet to have heat out of the heater so fast.

charliez · 12-06-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyO

Dealers are usually able to add the factory ones.
We got my wife's Taurus used, it was originally purchased in Canada and has a block heater. It rarely gets THAT cold here in PA but it is pretty sweet to have heat out of the heater so fast.

That would be a good reason to have a block heater installed. If it can be rigged to turn the cabin heater on as well, it would be awesome to walk into a nicely warmed up cabin and the engine ready to go.

I've had pleasure of experiencing very cold temperatures when I forgot to plug the block heater in and the engine would not start.

**JohnnyO** · 12-06-2011, 10:14 AM

Block heaters replace one of the freeze plugs. They only warm the coolant in the block
(although heavy truck heaters do circulate it), but it turns over faster and the air from the heater is lukewarm to start with and gets hot pretty quick. I will plug it in if it's colder than 20* to 25*F

aggie76 · 12-17-2011, 09:02 PM

Took another look and decided to just unclip two clips and just lay it on top poking out on the passenger side just above the headlight and then close the hood. Seems to be just fine laying like that, the hood closed without any problem. May try and figure out how to zip tie it so it won't move around when I open the hood to fill washer fluid over the winter. Plenty of cord outside so I can plug the electrical cord into it.

Haven't needed it yet, hard to believe that the weatherman is saying 45 degrees F here tomorrow. All the old guys say the winter of 1969 began just like this and then the floor dropped out with record setting cold and snow the rest of winter. Lake of the Woods claimed a truck this past week, and a friend fell through up to his waist. I won't be taking my snowmobiles out on the ice to do anyice fishing till mid-January at this rate.

aggie76 · 03-03-2012, 08:37 AM

Just moved mine back under the hood after not using it one time this winter since we never got those "normal" temps this year. Strange winter, due to see 48 this week per forecast.

Bill #4 Explorer · 03-03-2012, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aggie76

Just moved mine back under the hood after not using it one time this winter since we never got those "normal" temps this year. Strange winter, due to see 48 this week per forecast.

I've never used mine, either. Remote start works great for cold morning warm-ups.

snx212 · 12-31-2012, 09:26 PM

Zerostart should have one for you. Check their website or local auto parts store.

12-05-2011, 07:02 PM	#22
aggie76 Wannabe Elite Explorer Warroad, MN 2011 Explorer Limited Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 43 Vehicle Specs	Was down to -7F here this a.m. so spouse wanted to be sure the plug was available in case she had to go out. Can't believe they mounted it the way it is so it's not easily available to drivers without opening the hood or having to make a modification. My F150 has it hanging right out of the bumper, easy to tuck behind during summer and access in winter. Living up here in northern MN folks use block or oil pan heaters nearly everyday from mid-December to mid-February. Yes, our company parking lot has electrical outlets on the light poles so everyone can plug in while at work. Going to call the dealer tomorrow and see what they say about how to route it. __________________ 2011 Explorer Limited 4WD 2009 F150 King Ranch SuperCab 4WD 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 3LT

12-05-2011, 07:33 PM	#23
peterk9 Toyota Highlander Convert Ottawa, Ontario area 2011 Limited AWD Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 4,241 Vehicle Specs	I believe that some members have been successful in fishing it through the grill. __________________ Peter Explorer Limited White Platinum Tri-Coat,340A (Rapid Spec 302A). Previous rides;'99 Windstar; '02,'06 & 09 4WD Toyota Highlander Limiteds

12-06-2011, 10:14 AM	#27
JohnnyO Sport Trac Moderator Pittsburgh, PA '08 Sport Trac Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,702 Vehicle Specs	Block heaters replace one of the freeze plugs. They only warm the coolant in the block (although heavy truck heaters do circulate it), but it turns over faster and the air from the heater is lukewarm to start with and gets hot pretty quick. I will plug it in if it's colder than 20* to 25*F __________________ '08 Sport Trac, Gibson exhaust, K&N, Firestone Destination A/T's, Steelers regalia. "It is not the multitude of ale-houses that occasions a general disposition to drunkenness among the common people; but that disposition arising from other causes necessarily gives employment to a multitude of ale-houses." -- Adam Smith, 1776

12-17-2011, 09:02 PM	#28
aggie76 Wannabe Elite Explorer Warroad, MN 2011 Explorer Limited Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 43 Vehicle Specs	Took another look and decided to just unclip two clips and just lay it on top poking out on the passenger side just above the headlight and then close the hood. Seems to be just fine laying like that, the hood closed without any problem. May try and figure out how to zip tie it so it won't move around when I open the hood to fill washer fluid over the winter. Plenty of cord outside so I can plug the electrical cord into it. Haven't needed it yet, hard to believe that the weatherman is saying 45 degrees F here tomorrow. All the old guys say the winter of 1969 began just like this and then the floor dropped out with record setting cold and snow the rest of winter. Lake of the Woods claimed a truck this past week, and a friend fell through up to his waist. I won't be taking my snowmobiles out on the ice to do anyice fishing till mid-January at this rate. __________________ 2011 Explorer Limited 4WD 2009 F150 King Ranch SuperCab 4WD 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 3LT

03-03-2012, 08:37 AM	#29
aggie76 Wannabe Elite Explorer Warroad, MN 2011 Explorer Limited Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 43 Vehicle Specs	Just moved mine back under the hood after not using it one time this winter since we never got those "normal" temps this year. Strange winter, due to see 48 this week per forecast. __________________ 2011 Explorer Limited 4WD 2009 F150 King Ranch SuperCab 4WD 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 3LT

12-02-2011, 11:12 AM	#21
kabiblueline Wannabe Elite Explorer Colorado Springs, CO Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 32 Vehicle Specs	OK. I definitely do NOT have the block heater installed. Can anyone else from Colorado check and see if they do or do not have it? I thought I saw the list of "cold-weather" states somewhere, and Colorado was included.....

12-06-2011, 08:10 AM	#24
charliez Wannabe Elite Explorer Seattle, WA '11 XLT 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 89 Vehicle Specs	The block heaters I've come across has always been short, but not that super short. It's always funny when I remember arriving home in the garage and find the plug hanging out the grille because I forgot to unplug it from the AC jack at school. It's even funnier when I see other cars have cables dangling!

12-31-2012, 09:26 PM	#31
snx212 Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 1 Vehicle Specs	Zerostart should have one for you. Check their website or local auto parts store.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is my block heater working ?	davem	Stock 1995 - 2001 Explorers	7	12-14-2009 08:20 AM
Problem installing block heater!!!	J-Roq	Modified 1991-1994 Explorers	4	01-24-2009 09:46 AM
block heater 5.0l	eddie#2	Stock 1995 - 2001 Explorers	0	12-27-2008 09:51 PM
Auto 4WD and heater box drain question, 2004 4WD	m stevenson	Stock 2002 - 2005 Explorers	3	06-16-2008 04:56 PM
Engine Block Heater Option?	kars85	Stock 2002 - 2005 Explorers	5	03-26-2008 11:51 AM