just installed my engine heater what a PITA!!!

[buch434]

Well I figured this would be an easy job so I started it late today. First off I could not get any room to work so I took off my starter just to get some working room. By the way I have the 5.0. Once that was done it took about 15 minutes of banging it with a screwdriver and hammer just to bust it loose! The instructions were very clear about not over tightning the screw on the heater so as to not strip the threads. So when I went for my test drive I got about 3 blocks from home and lost all of my coolant I get back to the garage so low and behold the heater is dangling by the cord and all of the coolent is gone. So I said screw it I put it back in and got it as tight as I felt comfortable with, it survived a short test drive, thank god. Now I am going to be very nervous going to work tomorrow. If this thing blows out again I am going to say screw it and have the dealer install one. I at least hope it seems to make a difference in the morning. Tomorrow is going to be a scary drive!

 

[A Wise Guy]

Did they not have any torque specs with the block heater? Another piece of advice I have always heard is to get a heavy duty timer and have the block heater turn on 3 hours before you leave. It will save on your electric bill.

 

[greenhornet3147]

what type

kind that clamps on to the hose or goes into the freeze plug

 

[jssong]

excuse my stupidity.. but how does the block heater work ?

 

[Meth713]

arent you supposed to RTV those?

 

[buch434]

This was a freeze plug heater. The instructions say to use no type of sealer, it has a gasket on in all you have to do is wipe it with some antifreeze just to lube it up, kind of like you do to your oil filter when you change it. I was happy this morning, it was 5'F when I got up today, and with no warm up the temp guage started raising after a couple of blocks and I had heat in only a few mintues.

 

[nestorb]

How do you know when these block heaters aren't working? My 91 doesn't seem to start or warmup any any easier when its plugged in--its been in now for at least five years--Barry

 

[buch434]

I know that in the morning I can feel warmth on the intake, so give that a try.

 

[Paul Gagnon]

Originally posted by jssong
excuse my stupidity.. but how does the block heater work ?

The exposed element heats the water in the block. It works the same way as an electric kettle.