Another Block Heater Thread with a twist

[dwtaylorpdx]

If not mounted vertically it can trap air, which will blow the element.
Its also about half as efficient if its like mine because there is a ball bearing valve inside that is a check valve the kind of helps it push water...

Different styles may be different though...

Dave

[shampooguy]

Does everyone have a timer to turn the block heater on sometime before your daily commute, or do you just have it plugged in all the time? I think mine is a 600 watt, and it just seems like a waste to have it plugged in all the time.

[orange4boy]

Good stuff Brucey. Another option for a low point to siphon from would be the coolant drain if you have one on your block. That's what I used on my Prius. In fact the nipple they supplied with my heater was threaded to fit the drain union boss.

[brucey]

I'm considering redoing it at some point next spring with it installed properly. I will try and find a way to mount it vertically and tie it in with the heater core line as per instructions. Not that it isn't currently working well, but not following instructions scare me when my engines cooling system is being tinkered with. :P Currently it's simply inline with everything else.

And I plug mine in about 1.5 ~ 2 hours before I plan to leave, if I remember. I wish I could plan all my trips, but I just can't always do that. I've really come to appreciate it, not having to scrape the windshield and having heat. Even if the mileage is a wash by having to pay for the electricity, I still think something like this is worth it just for the other benefits.

[puddleglum]

Originally Posted by shampooguy

Does everyone have a timer to turn the block heater on sometime before your daily commute, or do you just have it plugged in all the time? I think mine is a 600 watt, and it just seems like a waste to have it plugged in all the time.

Timers are a good idea and they are not very expensive.