Adding a block heater... sourcing parts?
11-19-2008, 06:17 AM
#1
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Adding a block heater... sourcing parts?
Anyone added a block heater on their own? Can the dealer supply the parts, or am I picking them up at a FLAPS?
Anything I need to watch out for?
Anything I need to watch out for?
11-19-2008, 08:30 AM
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Well... According to this...
Atleast here in Canada, the most common type is "Zerostart" by Phillips And Temro. It's the type you'd get if you went to Canadian Tire.
Here is their product guide...
<a href="http://www.fuelinjection.net/zerostart/zerostart_auto_08.pdf">http://www.fuelinjection.net/zerostart/zerostart_auto_08.pdf</a>
According to that, we'd use the:
PN# 3100035 (1987-95 L5 2.2, 2.3L)
Installed at a 3'oclock orientation, in the 1st or 2nd freeze-plug spot on the passenger side of the engine.
Here is their product guide...
<a href="http://www.fuelinjection.net/zerostart/zerostart_auto_08.pdf">http://www.fuelinjection.net/zerostart/zerostart_auto_08.pdf</a>
According to that, we'd use the:
PN# 3100035 (1987-95 L5 2.2, 2.3L)
Installed at a 3'oclock orientation, in the 1st or 2nd freeze-plug spot on the passenger side of the engine.
11-19-2008, 08:37 AM
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From the words of wiki...
A block heater is an electric heater that heats the engine of a car to ease starting in cold weather. They are connected to normal AC power overnight or before driving, via regular power plugs that are fed through a vehicle's grille. This allows easier starting in cold temperatures, by keeping the coolant warm. Heaters are also available for motor oil so that warm oil can quickly circulate and warm the engine during startup. The rapid heat circulation caused by block heaters also aids the initial vaporization of fuel in the engine; because of this effect, block heaters reduce pollution, as poor fuel vaporization causes much higher emissions.
Block heaters are widely used in many northern U.S. states, and are very common in countries with colder climates like Canada and Scandinavia. In colder climates block heaters are often standard equipment in new vehicles. In extremely cold climates, electrical outlets are sometimes found in public or private parking lots, especially in multi-storey car parks. Some parking lots cycle the power on for 20 minutes and off for 20 minutes (e.g., the Light Rail Transit lots for a number of Canadian cities), in order to reduce electricity costs. This results in a decrease in heating effectiveness for the average block heater. However, to what extent this reduces block temperatures in ?30 degrees Celsius (?20 degrees Fahrenheit) weather is in question.
Block heaters are usually inserted into a freeze plug manufacturing hole in the cylinder block, heating the metal, coolant and oil.
Block heaters are widely used in many northern U.S. states, and are very common in countries with colder climates like Canada and Scandinavia. In colder climates block heaters are often standard equipment in new vehicles. In extremely cold climates, electrical outlets are sometimes found in public or private parking lots, especially in multi-storey car parks. Some parking lots cycle the power on for 20 minutes and off for 20 minutes (e.g., the Light Rail Transit lots for a number of Canadian cities), in order to reduce electricity costs. This results in a decrease in heating effectiveness for the average block heater. However, to what extent this reduces block temperatures in ?30 degrees Celsius (?20 degrees Fahrenheit) weather is in question.
Block heaters are usually inserted into a freeze plug manufacturing hole in the cylinder block, heating the metal, coolant and oil.
11-19-2008, 08:40 AM
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Cause I moved north... and winter gets cold.
Ok, I'm not in Alaska or the Yukon, but in Northern Ontario, extended periods of -20°C temps are common.
This morning was -10C when I left for work. When I came up here last January for my job interview, it was -26C when we stayed at the hotel.
You know the benefits of the block heater... right? Ideally it's on a timer hooked up to your outlet... so you set it to come on 90 minutes or so before you'd get up and leave for work. Heats up the coolant, which warms the block and the oil, helping to prevent cold-related friction when starting. Has more effect than an oil pan heater, since the coolant flows through the entire engine.
Throw in a battery heater to warm up the battery... cause they produce more power when they're warm.
This morning was -10C when I left for work. When I came up here last January for my job interview, it was -26C when we stayed at the hotel.
You know the benefits of the block heater... right? Ideally it's on a timer hooked up to your outlet... so you set it to come on 90 minutes or so before you'd get up and leave for work. Heats up the coolant, which warms the block and the oil, helping to prevent cold-related friction when starting. Has more effect than an oil pan heater, since the coolant flows through the entire engine.
Throw in a battery heater to warm up the battery... cause they produce more power when they're warm.
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11-19-2008, 12:59 PM
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Strange... they list the 3100034 for the earlier 5-cyl engines...
same frost plug diameter listed... but for some reason they have two versions (34/35) and different orientations (3'oclock vs. 6o'clock).
You're sure you put the same version in the CGT and 90?
Which engine is in your 90? (I couldn't find an engine shot in your picposter)
You're sure you put the same version in the CGT and 90?
Which engine is in your 90? (I couldn't find an engine shot in your picposter)