Block heater question and bolt needed

[hillfolk'r]

Yea but its nicer on the engine. Yea thAt little red one is nice i wish the temp was a little lower tho.
Those do last longer than the freeze plug ones. When we use the tank ones ( which are similar to that red one), you can get metal hose tees to splice into a hose. They even make freeze plugs that have a pipe thread hole in them. Attach a hose barb and bam good to go. Ill take some block heater install pics in the next few days to give you guys ideas
The outlet of a block heater going into the center rear freeze plug would be perfect. Maybe splice into the lower rad hose for a pickup. Mount it down low a obe the driveshaft maybe

[hillfolk'r]

Earlier 7.3 ps had glow plugs i kno nuthin bout the newer stuff
I stole a pic of those heaters. It would be nice to get a threaded freeze plug for the heater outlet



Heres their pdf
http://www.kimhotstartheaters.com/pdf/tps_pages.pdf

[8v-of-fury]

Earlier 7.3 ps had glow plugs i kno nuthin bout the newer stuff
I stole a pic of those heaters. It would be nice to get a threaded freeze plug for the heater outlet



Heres their pdf
http://www.kimhotstartheaters.com/pdf/tps_pages.pdf

Yeah they have them, but being DI they do not need them until below freezing. Much like your TDI lol.

Nifty heater.

[wolf_walker]

Power Stroke is DI, shouldn't need them. I don't need my glows on my M-TDI unless it is below -10C.

That's interesting, I don't know jack about PS's, I have to fix a few things on his soon though.
Fuel leak around the filter pot in the valley for one.

I spent some time in the winter in NC with a PD TDI and it seemed annoyed when one did not let the glow
plugs cycle till the light went off.  It was pretty new at the time, temps probably in the high 20'sF if that.
It didn't "need" them to start, but it complained about a short or no glow start when cold.

[Gizmoman]

Real diesels just come with one I think. I'd clean the hole, and use a touch of rubber lube, clear synthetic, or marine grease.
I don't need the cold start  thing either.

Sounds good, I've got a bit of marine grease - thanks.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

The heaters that splices into the rad hose is more prone to burning your car down if it malfunctions. The ones that go in the freeze plug has a much lesser chance of it.

Call me skeptical. They are thermostatic and shut off when they reach 175F. (Oh, and they're surrounded by water.)

The freeze-plug units are more likely to fail, since they are more exposed to debris, salt-spray and leakage from valve-cover oil. That's why I changed to the hose units.

Freeze plug heaters more likely to fail? How did yours fail? A heatet is a very simple device and should last a long long time if designed well, made with good quality materials w good workmanship. Freeze plug heaters has no thermostat (that can fail), it does not have 2 hose clamp connections that can fail, it puts all the energy into the coolant (hose heaters lose some energy heating the ambient air), freeze plug heaters is less of a fire hazzard. Sounds to me freeze plug heater is a better choice.

[Gizmoman]

Freeze plug heaters more likely to fail? How did yours fail? A heatet is a very simple device and should last a long long time if designed well, made with good quality materials w good workmanship. Freeze plug heaters has no thermostat (that can fail), it does not have 2 hose clamp connections that can fail, it puts all the energy into the coolant (hose heaters lose some energy heating the ambient air), freeze plug heaters is less of a fire hazzard. Sounds to me freeze plug heater is a better choice.

I figured if I didn't put it back into the block, I'd use it to warm my coffee

Its about as simple as it gets - unless it leaks and as 745 turbogreasel mentioned, a bit of marine grease on the O-ring should take care of that. The hole it fits into is in perfect condition (no pitting) so I should get a good seal.

As for glow plugs, even though it only gets to "45" here (So Cal), having only three of four working almost doubled my crank time in the morning. After all, this is an IDI not DI and needs a bit of help.

The block heater will never get plugged in unless I visit the North in the winter months - and I just may.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

Freeze plug heaters more likely to fail? How did yours fail? A heatet is a very simple device and should last a long long time if designed well, made with good quality materials w good workmanship. Freeze plug heaters has no thermostat (that can fail), it does not have 2 hose clamp connections that can fail, it puts all the energy into the coolant (hose heaters lose some energy heating the ambient air), freeze plug heaters is less of a fire hazzard. Sounds to me freeze plug heater is a better choice.

I figured if I didn't put it back into the block, I'd use it to warm my coffee

Its about as simple as it gets - unless it leaks and as 745 turbogreasel mentioned, a bit of marine grease on the O-ring should take care of that. The hole it fits into is in perfect condition (no pitting) so I should get a good seal.

As for glow plugs, even though it only gets to "45" here (So Cal), having only three of four working almost doubled my crank time in the morning. After all, this is an IDI not DI and needs a bit of help.

The block heater will never get plugged in unless I visit the North in the winter months - and I just may.

I installed a Zerostart block heater that looks just like yours in my Jetta 2 winters ago and have not used it once, my Jetta starts fine w/o it in CT winters.

I would suggest looking up the mfg install instructions and just follow it. If the o-ring is in good shape and the mating block surface is clean amd you tighten it correctly it's not gonna leak.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

I find they outlast the regular freeze plugs

I am curios if this is personal experience or from what you read on the www.

[745 turbogreasel]

OE Freeze plugs are mostly   sheet metal, and rust out, the flange on the block heaters is  way thicker.  The only time they fail is if you run water without coolant for a looong time and the screw rusts through.It's possible the o ring could dry out, but it's just a generic rubber  ring if you did need a fresh one.

I've been a mechanic  since 93, so I've looked at a few motors, and personally had a few where all the freeze plugs needed replacement, but the heater sealed fine(although it may or may not electrically  function).

[Gizmoman]

I believe the heater is made by Temro. http://www.phillipsandtemro.com/userfiles/file/ZEROSTART_2012_CATALOG(1).pdf
The numbers are:
400 watts
115 Volts
LR1843

It's made in Canada so it's gotta hold up right?

I didn't find any install instructions but browsing the site and install diagrams leads me to believe there's not much more than tightening the screw.

I'll stick it in with some vaseline (that's sounds kinda weird) and move on.

Thanks everybody!

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

I believe the heater is made by Temro. http://www.phillipsandtemro.com/userfiles/file/ZEROSTART_2012_CATALOG(1).pdf
The numbers are:
400 watts
115 Volts
LR1843

It's made in Canada so it's gotta hold up right?

I didn't find any install instructions but browsing the site and install diagrams leads me to believe there's not much more than tightening the screw.

I'll stick it in with some vaseline (that's sounds kinda weird) and move on.

Thanks everybody!

Can you check yours with a magnet and tell me which part is magnetic and which part is not? I know the heating element is clad with copper. The housing looks like it is nickel plated. Good quality home plumbing faucets etc are nickel plated brass usually and never rusts. If the housing is non magnetic, it is probably nickel plated brass. Mine is a Zerostart made in Canada. I'll look tomorrow and see if I have the install instructions.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

OE Freeze plugs are mostly tin, and rust out, the flange on the block heaters is  way thicker.  The only time they fail is if you run water without coolant for a looong time and the screw rusts through.It's possible the o ring could dry out, but it's just a generic rubber  ring if you did need a fresh one.

I've been a mechanic  since 93, so I've looked at a few motors, and personally had a few where all the freeze plugs needed replacement, but the heater sealed fine(although it may or may not electrically  function).

Sorry for the confusion. I read your statement:  "I find they outlast the regular freeze plugs" with the "they" as the hose type heater and "regular freeze plugs" as the freeze plug type heater, prompting my question, when you really meant: "freeze plug heaters outlast the freeze plugs.

Do freeze plugs rust out? If they do, it is not tin. Tin is quite rust resistant.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

Doesn't happen often but it can happen. Here's a TDI burned to the ground due to something gone wrong  with a coolant hose type heater.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=269620&highlight=fire

[745 turbogreasel]

OE Freeze plugs are mostly tin, and rust out, the flange on the block heaters is  way thicker.  The only time they fail is if you run water without coolant for a looong time and the screw rusts through.It's possible the o ring could dry out, but it's just a generic rubber  ring if you did need a fresh one.

I've been a mechanic  since 93, so I've looked at a few motors, and personally had a few where all the freeze plugs needed replacement, but the heater sealed fine(although it may or may not electrically  function).

Sorry for the confusion. I read your statement:  "I find they outlast the regular freeze plugs" with the "they" as the hose type heater and "regular freeze plugs" as the freeze plug type heater, prompting my question, when you really meant: "freeze plug heaters outlast the freeze plugs.

Do freeze plugs rust out? If they do, it is not tin. Tin is quite rust resistant.

Since it seems a big deal to you, I have edited my post to read 'sheet metal' instead of 'tin'.

Yes, anything with a cord has a chance of burning your car to the ground. GCFI plug may help- your odds, as may a timer.