Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Block heater info request

[CPH]

Doing a pre winter check and found block heater cable had shorted to the round nut holding the connecter on to the heater. How hard is it to replace? What do you guys think of removing the cable, leaving the heater in and installing a heater pad to the oil pan instead?

cph

 

[JR]

Are you positive the heater doesn't work? You can remove the cord easy enough to check for damage. If the cord is damaged, Places like Genos sells them for very reasonable. I have a bumper mount with a weather proof cover over the outlet (also sourced from Genos). Very convenient. The element in the block almost never fails but can easily be replaced for about the same price as a heater pad for an oil pan, and the coolant heater is much more effective. The oil pan heaters are a good cold weather aid in addition to the coolant heaters in arctic climates, but will not do much on their own. Oil heater heats the oil, Coolant heater heats the entire block AND provides a jumpstart on the heat in the cab. In the winter time at work, everybody goes out to start their vehicles 15 minutes before the end of work. I am able to plug mine in whether I'm driving my truck or the VW TDI. I go out at quitting time, start the vehicle, unplug the cord, scrape any snow/ice off the windshield and drive away. I couldn't do that on just an oil pan heater.

 

[CPH]

The heater may still work but the connection melted when it shorted. Can't even see the contacts to put a new cord on. I was looking to buy the Genos bumper kit. With the pins being fried I have to remove the heater and replace. Just worried if I will have a hard time removing the original old one. Anybody removed and replaced a block heater? If so any helpful hints?

cph

 

[CPH]

Mine is the freeze plug type.

cph

 

[JR]

It's not threaded in the block? Now that I think about it I haven't seen any in a pick up, but any 12 valve I have seen in equipment was the threaded element. Didn't know the freeze plug types came from the factory. Shouldn't be too difficult to replace, just remove the air filter and the oil filter to make it accessable.

 

[CPH]

JR,
Just went out to verify after going to the Genoes site. Yep it is the freeze plug type. Looks like an allen screw clamp type arrangement. Shouldn't be too bad. Like you said I will need to remove the air cleaner and oil filter to access.........and crack open the wallet. Of course the freeze plug type is more expensive than the screw in type and I am sure I will lose more coolant. More money, more mess, more fun! I still love my truck.

cph

 

[JR]

If you need to flush your coolant which is recommended every 2-3 years now is the time to do it. If it is still fresh coolant, just crack open the drain petcock on the radiator and drain it in a clean bucket that way you can re use it.

I wonder if the threaded hole is there on the 12 valve engines and simply plugged off? If that's the case you could simply order that style that way you don't have to even mess with your old one, and it will save you a couple of bucks to boot.

 

[mwilson]

If the allen screw doesn't start (which it probably wont) you can use a looong drill bit to remove the allen head, then take a punch and drive the shank in. The saddle clamp behind it will not fall down in the block and can be removed after the heater element comes out. You will struggle to get the heater to move at first, that o-ring will not be too fussy about letting go after all of those years and the heat/cool cycles.
That block heater should not be much money, go to a truck dealer and get a Phillips/Temro 3500030.

Should sell for around $55.00 to $60.00 cord and all.

 

[mwilson]

Or Geno's, I see now that you mentioned that they stock those also.

 

[mwilson]

If you need to flush your coolant which is recommended every 2-3 years now is the time to do it. If it is still fresh coolant, just crack open the drain petcock on the radiator and drain it in a clean bucket that way you can re use it.

I wonder if the threaded hole is there on the 12 valve engines and simply plugged off? If that's the case you could simply order that style that way you don't have to even mess with your old one, and it will save you a couple of bucks to boot.

Oil cooler is different, can't do it.

Mike.

 

[Shadrach]

The threaded style block heater started with the STORM blocks which appeared in th Dodges in the spring on 97. It is a 3/4 NPT. The frost plug style were used in all the older "B" engines. STORM stands for Straight Thread O-Ring Metric. Those blocks also have provision for dual turbo drains

David

 

[JR]

Oil cooler is different, can't do it.

Mike.

Are you talking about the heat exchanger on the side of the engine block?