block heater sucessfully installed l400

[Manitoba deli]

OK, I finaly got around to it and installed the block heater. There has been a whole lot of hype over nothing. As far as block heaters go, this was probably in my top 5 of easiest block heaters installed. I did remove the air filter and box to have some extra room, but could have left them in. It did take me about 3 hours, but that was with the help of my 5 1/2year, 3 1/2year, and 2year old girls(it was raining so I didn't bring their 3month old sister outside). This being said, any reputable shop should be able to do it in 1 1/2hours tops. And any backyard mechanic who has succesfully installed at least one block heater in their life, can do this job. The heater goes on the right side of the engine, in the rear most frost plug. When filling the system, there is a bleed mounted on the firewall just above the battery. The procedure is out lined in the service manual, and I can email this section to any one who may need it. I did take some pictures, and will try to post them when I have a chance. I purchased the block heater from Paul at Pacific JDM Parts. It was under $40, and he can be contacted at jdmparts@telus.net (pretty sure I got it right this time, if not he is listed in the parts section)

Jason

[Adam]

Good job, glad to know it isn't rocket science. I look forward to seeing the pictures.

[PHIL]

Good job, glad to know it isn't rocket science. I look forward to seeing the pictures.

Outstanding! Good job - this is how things get cross-referenced for future owners. Great job!

[MardyDelica]

well thats a big help.
thank you, great job
Cheers;

[Pacific JDM Parts]

Glad to see you managed to get the block heater in with a little help from all those little hands!!
Its going to help on those cold mornings your going to get!
Glad to be of help Jason.

[Manitoba deli]

All right, here are the pics, I'm not going into detail on how to remove a frost plug, or how to install the heater. This is more for people who have installed a block heater before, or so you can point out to your mechanic where to install it.
The first thing I did was pick a rainy day, and make sure lots of help was available.



I did remove the air box, and one intercooler hose, but this was more for picture taking. The whole job is done from the topside. (besides draining the coolant. Do that now)





I then "dry fit " the block heater, Remove tho o-ring, and put it in, turning it until you can tell it is seated, and the ellement is not contacting the block anywhere. Take note of how it sits, remove it, reinstall the o-ring, and install in same position.



Insulate the cord with a fireproof and heat reflective insulation and secure in place



I ran the cord out an existing hole in the front, and it can be tucked behind the vertical support so it is out of site.



When refilling with coolant, be sure to open the air bleed above your battery.



Or if you do a lot of these, I highly recomend the coolant refill system sold by MAC TOOLS, this is one sweet tool, and is on sale for $160 till the end of the month.



Thats about it, I did check around to see if there was a higher watt heater available, but the 400 watt heater I got from Paul is the largest available, and should have no trouble keeping the 2.8l warm in any climate.
Again a huge thank you to DelicaFreaka for walking me through this picture posting thing. If it didn't work, I guess I'll be calling you.
Thanks for bearing with me, hope this helps.
Jason (this post took me as long to do as the block heater, and my helpers are all sound asleep)

[almac]

thanks for the pics!

what i would really like to know, is if this block heater would work in an L300?

[Manitoba deli]

I can't help you on that on as I don't have an l300 yet, I want one bad, I think they are the coolest looking things around. I think Paul at Pacific JDM parts has the heaters (jdmparts@telus.net) As for install, I don't know. Sorry I can't help you better.

Jason

[Van Diesel]

http://www.canadianpolarpad.com/index.html

Has anyone seen these before? I'd be interested to hear some opinions about this style of block heater.

[jessef]

I ordered the parts from Paul and they arrived very quickly. Two thumbs up for lightening fast shipping.

If someone needs the block heater and is outside the lower mainland, you can get it at Lordco or Napa, etc... as it's made in Canada. I'll have to dig up the part #. I believe Paul's cost is less than Lordco, plus I don't like shopping at Lordco, but it's an alternative if someone needs one asap.

[almac]

I ordered the parts from Paul and they arrived very quickly. Two thumbs up for lightening fast shipping.

If someone needs the block heater and is outside the lower mainland, you can get it at Lordco or Napa, etc... as it's made in Canada. I'll have to dig up the part #. I believe Paul's cost is less than Lordco, plus I don't like shopping at Lordco, but it's an alternative if someone needs one asap.

yes. but is it the same block heater for the L300 too?
if it is, i would appreciate the part number.
thanks jesse

[Green1]

http://www.canadianpolarpad.com/index.html

Has anyone seen these before? I'd be interested to hear some opinions about this style of block heater.

I have no experience with anything bonded to the bottom of the oilpan by adhesive, however I did have a magnetic oilpan heater for a while, and it seems to me it would be roughly the same thing.
Experience was that it was no match for a normal block heater. it makes a good addition to it though (heat the oil while the block heater heats the block, then both are warm) however by itself it barely made a difference.

[Erebus]

A little slow in replying here, but the block heater for the L-300 that CVI put in for me is the Temco 30-3217-6, available from all normal autoparts stores.

[DeliTan]

I intend to install a block heater in my L400. I'm sure I could do the frost plug type ok, but I think i will look into the threaded type first. It has 50% more oomph and doesn't require bashing out a frost plug.

http://www.zerostart.com/UserFiles/File ... atalog.pdf

Page 58 at the bottom, look/search for 4M40

john

[Manitoba deli]

You might want to double check and see if your l400 has an available port for that heater, I believe that heater is for the Canter with the 2.8l diesel which is non-turbo. On the l400,I belive that port is used for the coolant return line from the turbo. I may be wrong, and there may be another port that the thread in heater will fit in, but you may want to double check before ordering. Temp. was -24 here yesterday morning, van started great with the 400watt heater from Pacific JDM parts, but if there is somewhere to thread in a 600watt heater, I'd install a second one for back-up.

Jason