Author Topic: AAZ Block Heater (Read 8125 times)

STurner · « **on:** January 03, 2008, 03:20:11 pm »

Hi, I'm new here, but not new to diesels.

I've got a 1997 Golf AAZ with a "few" km's on it, and it's working good so far, except for a few things that need to be fixed. Most cosmetically as well as some technical.

Since it's my first winter with it, I have gotten a chance to use the block heater. Heres my question.

Does anyone know what type of power the block heater draws in terms of electrical power? I'm pretty sure its the OEM unit.

I have plugged it in before, but it didn't seem like it did much for a cold morning start, along with the cold start lever pulled.

It also ildes rough after a cold start, with white exhaust coming from the rear. It's fine once its warmed up, I'm thinking its a bad glow plug.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2008, 03:57:24 pm »

Block heaters, even the OEM ones, range in power from something like 200W to 600W and beyond... pretty hard to tell what you've got without pulling it out.

No reason to know the actual wattage probably anyways... some testing options:

(a) use a multimeter to check for continuity between the plug pins... if your gauge is sensitive enough you should read a couple of ohms.

(b) use a test light and a battery to check for continuity

(c) plug it in and unplug it a couple of times in the dark... should be able to detect a small spark if it's drawing current

(d) on mine I can hear it start to bubble the coolant when it gets plugged in... listen to the very back of the engine

In general it may well idle a bit rough on those cold Nova Scotia mornings, even with good glow plugs... a cold engine will not burn all fuel effectively right off the bat no matter how good the glow plugs are, since they don't heat the cylinder walls or pistons. A working block heater will make this much better, btw.

bigblockchev · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2008, 06:25:45 pm »

Even an hour with the block heater on will do quite a bit to improve starting, if you aren't noticing a big improvement in cold starting after that length of time the blockheater is probably not working. Check as Vince has suggested or if you have an electrician buddy he can check the amperage draw with a clamp on meter. You should be seeing a 2-4 amp draw which translates into 250-500 actual watts used. Cheers Dan

STurner · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2008, 08:15:30 pm »

Thats just what I was looking for. I noticed that the plug connectors looked to be worn down as if it was dragged on the road. Almost thinking that its not making contact. This may also be causing the problem.

This should help out now that I know how many amps the block heater should be producing.

If it is OEM, where could I find part number to identify it? I am very positive that it plugs into the engine block, and it is not wrapped around the oil pan. I also think that block heaters came standard from the factory on Canadian turbo diesels.

bigblockchev · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2008, 08:26:29 pm »

If it is OEM it will be installed in the frost plug on back of the the passenger side of the block below the turbo. It can be hard to see from above. If the cord is actually plugged into the socket of the heater and it doesn't heat , it is very likely dead. Cheers Dan

Jetta Fan · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2008, 05:28:37 am »

Hello to a fellow Nova Scotian. I'm actually pretty close to where you live.

I've been having issues with my block heater this year as well. If it's OEM, it is in a frost plug on the back of the block, very hard (read as almost impossible) to see from up top. From underrneath, it's closer to the passenger side of the block....just follow the cord. Mine is in the frost plug almost behind a motor mount. Dumb a$$ place to put it, but it was already there. The cord can be unplugged from the heater itself (from up top and it's not as hard as it sounds), so you can check and make sure it's the cord that's toast. In my case, the cord was fine. If it is the cord, take it to NAPA or another parts place (I know Carquest is out there by you and Sangsters too) and match it up to a new one. Don't bother calling the dealer....they don't even carry a block heater for the car, never mind just the cord.

Having said that.....I need a new block heater element and I can't get one locally. The parts places don't have a listing for it and one said his book lists it as a dealer item (see note above about the availability from the dealer). There are some online parts places that list them as in stock, but after switching to synthetic oil, I might not replace it. It seems to be working fine without it (knock on wood).

Last year, when my heater was working, on a morning when it was about -5C and frosty, you would see a clear spot on the hood where the heat was keeping the frost from forming on the hood.

STurner · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2008, 11:00:49 am »

Hopefully I can check things out once the weather get a bit nicer. Maybe up into the +1 area with some sunshine. I hate not having a garage to work into.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2008, 11:23:30 am »

Quote from: "STurner"

I also think that block heaters came standard from the factory on Canadian turbo diesels.

Yup.

The on-line places are a good source... bought a couple recently... 26 bucks:

click here

and good ole Canadian Tire probably carries them as well.

They are worth having, IMHO, as a cheap and easy way to:

- dramatically improve start-ability
- dramatically reduce engine wear
- dramatically improve how fast the car warms up and defrosts the damn windows

All that for 8 cents an hour...

Jetta Fan · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2008, 05:32:40 am »

Vincent, I checked C-Tire but they don't have a listing for it.

STurner, I hear you. No fun laying on the ground with the snow blowing down yer shorts and smashing a numb hand on something hard.

STurner · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2008, 02:02:47 pm »

Quote from: "Jetta Fan"

Vincent, I checked C-Tire but they don't have a listing for it.

STurner, I hear you. No fun laying on the ground with the snow blowing down yer shorts and smashing a numb hand on something hard.

I checked out Canadian Tire as well and as you said there was nothing. I did see a few other block heaters there that could be the same size, but I didn't really know what the diameter was. I may end up getting one through another source. If I find one in the area I will post my conclusions.

STurner · « **Reply #10 on:** January 15, 2008, 02:32:08 pm »

Brian Harrison at Roseland technical Services has block heaters available. Send him an e-mail to see what he can do. I think he sells them for around $25.

http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/roseland/VWParts.htm

Jetta Fan · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2008, 07:11:34 am »

Thanks for the info STurner, but I think I lined up a new block heater over the weekend.

Actually, knock on wood, the car has been starting quite well so far without it. That 0W40 synthetic sure made a difference.

STurner · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2008, 06:49:22 pm »

Glad I can help you out Jetta Fan.

I think I might have solved my problem. I noticed that there was a kink in the wiring, so I cut it down past the kink, and I am now getting somewhere. I guess I will just have to splice a new wire and plug onto the existing wire and hope it works.

Jetta Fan · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2008, 04:58:54 am »

That cable just unplugs from the heaster element and if you pop it off and take it to a parts store they should be able to get you a new cord. On my car, you can see the plug from underneath, but have to reach down from above to unplug it...not as bad as it sounds.

STurner · « **Reply #14 on:** January 17, 2008, 07:38:14 am »

Quote from: "Jetta Fan"

That cable just unplugs from the heater element and if you pop it off and take it to a parts store they should be able to get you a new cord. On my car, you can see the plug from underneath, but have to reach down from above to unplug it...not as bad as it sounds.

I was able to unplug the cable by reaching down behind the exhaust manifold. I've got an old extension cord I can splice onto the old one. I plan on trying that out before I go out and buy another cord, I'm on a student budget so a new cord or block heater will be my last option.