How to install a block heater

[lrp374]

I tried the bent screw driver trick about 1/2 an hour into my problem. The plug is wedged right tight against the outside wall in some sort of cavity. I'll try it again in the morning as I do have a few small ' free ' screw drivers.

Thanks
Larry

[PlantDrive]

We installed the oil pan heater on mine yesterday. Much easier than the block heater.
1)Clean pan with Brakeleen, scrape off paint, sandpaper it (comes with pad heater)
2) Install pad heater by removing peel and stick 3M, press in place, use supplied tool plastic bondospreader to squeegee nice and tight onto surface.
3) open small tube of supplied high temp silicone, run a bead around the edge
4) run the wire out the front, ziptie strategically with supplies cable ties.
20 minutes later you have an engine heater installed, painlessly, and your oil, as well as the coolant and block, will be heated and ready to go quickly. So, the oil will flow easily even if 15W40, etc.
In stock under the Delica section of our site...Happy New Year everyone.
And, drive safely!

[konadog]

We installed the oil pan heater on mine yesterday. Much easier than the block heater.

But is it as effective? I have little need for either myself, but can't help but think a block heater, though indeed more work to install, would be better at getting that critical heat to the cylinders where it is most needed for cold starts...

The only thing it doesn't tell is how to get the frost plug out after the tap to poke a hole in it pushes it into the block.

Bummer! The post wookie made says he used a drill (a slick side-mount one) rather than a punch to hole the frost plug. Any chance of clasping your problem plug with a tricky set of curved needle-nosed pliers and twisting it out? Pretty awkward place to work, for sure. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress

[jessef]

We installed the oil pan heater on mine yesterday. Much easier than the block heater.

But is it as effective?

Oil pan doesn't do much below -20 C for starting.

It's like comparing a single electric stove element to four gas burners.

you have an engine heater installed, painlessly, and your oil, as well as the coolant and block, will be heated and ready to go quickly. So, the oil will flow easily even if 15W40, etc.

A tad misleading.

With diesel rigs in cold climates the oil pan heater can help but it's recommended as an 'assist' to the block heater, not as the main heat source for the engine. In sub -20 C temps, the oil pan heater can't heat up the block.

I grew up in Edmonton and spent a few winters in Port Simpson. Going below 20 C, I would not trust an oil pan heater alone to heat up the block internally. Diesel's like jello. You want a block heater minimum.

Even with a block heater and a good pan heater, starting was still rough until we switched to 30 weight oil.

After a winter of 30-40 C, I ended up putting an espar heater in. That was in a Dodge diesel rig.