Login
▼
Register
Home
Help
Advertise
Login
Register
VWDiesel Blog
Facebook Group
VWD on Twitter
VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.
»
Engine Specific Info and Questions
»
IDI Engine
(Moderators:
malone
,
burn_your_money
,
Vincent Waldon
,
theman53
) »
Block Heater?
« previous
next »
Print
Pages: [
1
]
Author
Topic: Block Heater? (Read 2107 times)
November 01, 2006, 12:24:08 am
hipifreq
Junior
Offline
89
Block Heater?
«
on:
November 01, 2006, 12:24:08 am »
Forgive the obvious newbie question:
So I thought a block heater would be, you know, on the block. In my '80 Dasher I've got the device pictured below spliced into the lower radiator hose. Is this a block heater or something else? It's got a standard three-prong AC plug at the end of about 4 ft of wire.
Logged
'80 Dasher diesel fastback - currently undergoing engine transplant
Reply #1
November 01, 2006, 01:16:38 am
LeeG
Veteran
Offline
401
Block Heater?
«
Reply #1 on:
November 01, 2006, 01:16:38 am »
yup, its a coolant heater. That kind should be installed so uphill of the heater is the engine and downhill is the rad. The convection will carry heat into the engine. Fancier ones actually have a pump.
yours looks like it might be right at the bottom of the hose which will make it less effective as it will try to heat radiator too much.
Logged
'97 Passat TDI
Reply #2
November 01, 2006, 03:49:16 pm
RabbitJockey
Veteran
Offline
5065
Personal Text
America, DUCK YEAH!!!
Block Heater?
«
Reply #2 on:
November 01, 2006, 03:49:16 pm »
yeah that ones definetly in a bad spot, my rabbit has a factory one on the back of the block, tiny little bugger, but it seems to do its job, i jus tneed to redo the power cable cause it frayed
Logged
01 Jetta TDI 100% stock daily
81 Rabbit:TDI-M ported head, Frank06 cam, PD intake, hybrid T3 turbo, Renault intercooler, Syl20 11mm pump, light weight fw, and yellow California Clutch clutch kit
Reply #3
November 01, 2006, 04:21:46 pm
burn_your_money
Global Moderator
Veteran
Offline
8999
Personal Text
Bright, On
Block Heater?
«
Reply #3 on:
November 01, 2006, 04:21:46 pm »
That's a coolant heater, a block heater is actually on the block at the back, in one of the freeze plug holes
Logged
Tyler
Reply #4
November 01, 2006, 09:49:30 pm
hipifreq
Junior
Offline
89
Block Heater?
«
Reply #4 on:
November 01, 2006, 09:49:30 pm »
Thanks for the response. It didn't seem like it would help very much as the heat would need to travel pretty far to help keep the engine warm.
What do you think about the heaters that go in the freeze plug? Is it worth the time and money to install it? The winters are pretty mild here on the WA coast, but this engine is old and tired. I want to limp it through the winter before a spring rebuild or replace.
Logged
'80 Dasher diesel fastback - currently undergoing engine transplant
Reply #5
November 02, 2006, 12:54:15 am
LeeG
Veteran
Offline
401
Block Heater?
«
Reply #5 on:
November 02, 2006, 12:54:15 am »
That heater is probably fine for a mild climate, plug it in a try it. If I was installing one I would go for the freeze plug option, but others work too
Logged
'97 Passat TDI
Reply #6
November 02, 2006, 12:14:25 pm
jtanguay
Veteran
Offline
6879
Block Heater?
«
Reply #6 on:
November 02, 2006, 12:14:25 pm »
well you would want the heater in the lowest spot possible, to avoid overheating the element. the heat will eventually open up the thermostat and creep its way into the block. remember that heating water creates pressure, and the hot coolant should work its way up, but it takes time.
it will obviously work, but just take longer than the normal...
Logged
This is how we deal with porn spammers! You've been warned.
Print
Pages: [
1
]
« previous
next »
VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.
»
Engine Specific Info and Questions
»
IDI Engine
(Moderators:
malone
,
burn_your_money
,
Vincent Waldon
,
theman53
) »
Block Heater?