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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: Mikeyworks on January 21, 2005, 03:17:19 pm
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I am watching an eBay auction for a 110V freeze-plug style block heater.
I was hoping to get some insight into success with installation and use of these block heaters on our engines?
How well do they seal? Am I going to have to worry about the block leaking coolant?
How long will I have to keep my engine plugged in to get it up to a nice (read: easier to start) temp?
thanks as always gang
Mikey
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1-2 hours plugged in should make it start easier. plug it in all night it'll start right up, but that uses quite a bit of electricity.
i have a $12 timer on my cord that turns it on 1.5 hours before i leave in the morning and that seems to work well, i got the timer at walmart.
my car starts down to about 10-15 degree F. my friends 91 n/a with a lot less miles started yesterday morning at 3 F.
the block heater is a pain to put in, it goes in the freeze plug on the back passenger side of the engine, hard to get at.
it is sealed by a expanding thing that u tighten with a nut and its a rubber seal. mine does not leak, nor does the one i put in in my truck.
they are like $18 american at local napa/ similar stores, i dont know how much the one you are looking at on ebay is but it shuoldnt be much more.
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Ecstasy Rehab Forum (http://www.rehab-forum.com/ecstasy-rehab/)
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I am likely going to get under the car in next week or so and see how accessable the freeze plugs are on my MK2.
If I can get to one, then I will replace it with a block heater. I will probably end up getting one at Napa instead of online since purchase price and shipping would outweigh the costs local.
Mikey