Engine heater installation in 2.4

[j42.snyder]

For Christmas this year, I got a block heater for the Vibe. I would have gotten it much sooner if I had realized how easily they could be installed in these cars, as well as being inexpensive.These engines simply have a machined hole in the block where the heater cartridge installs. It does not go directly into the coolant as older designs did. This makes installation very simple and clean - it just slides in and a clip locks it into place.The trick is knowing where it goes. The instructions indicate the location as being "Left Rear" - which according to their diagram is on the back of the block. I'm not sure I want to admit how long I spent attempting to look back there to find it. With the air box removed, and a work light and mirror, I must have searched fruitlessly for close to an hour. Finally, I noticed a hole in the side of the block - near the back. Sure enough, this was the proper location! Once found, things went smoothly from there!I routed the cord (heater end first) in through the grill behind the license plate holder. That way I can tuck in the plug end where it's not visible when not in use. It fits in there quite snugly, so that seems like a good hiding spot for those of us stuck with having front plates.From there, I routed it up and through near where the battery is (lots of room there), and back to the heater. I simply secured it in a couple of spots with zip ties, while ensuring there was enough strain relief to allow for movement of the engine. I'm going to get some protective nylon covering to put over it in a few places to prevent it from possibly wearing through due to vibration if it rubs anywhere.The one I got is made by Phillips & Temro Industries, P/N 3100129. It was purchased at Canadian Tire, but I'm sure many parts places sell the exact same unit. They're an OEM supplier for many companies, so I wouldn't be surprised if this is identical to a "factory" one. At less than $60 though, it's an awful lot cheaper than what I've read dealers charge! Toyota lists it as a $240 option on a new Matrix!Although it's typically not needed around here to allow the car to start, it can still help dramatically with fuel consumption due to decreased warm-up times. It draws 400 watts, so if I have it set to run for 3 hours in the morning, that will consume approximately 1.2 kw/h of electricity, at a cost of less than 10 cents (off peak time here). At current gas prices, it certainly doesn't take much idle time to go through that amount of fuel. This will also help to decrease wear, and allow me to get heat onto the windshield more quickly if needed. I live less than a block from the highway on-ramp, so ensuring I can get ice off of the windshield quickly is rather important - especially if the highway is "sloppy" - which unfortunately is often the case around here.I also have a cousin who lives further north and sees temperatures well into the -30's in the winter that I visit on occasion. I've avoided it during this weather in the past, but now I can go ahead without worry.If anyone's interested, I could take photos if needed to illustrate the location. At least only one tool's necessary to access it - a 10mm socket driver to remove one clamp and the air box base. I thought about it yesterday, but we had company showing up at the time, so I just went ahead and got things back together quickly. I hadn't planned on it taking so long to find where it went! Dang instructions!John

[gimmegimme]

I don't have any trouble starting my car, but I was thinking of getting one just so I can get heat in the cabin sooner. It sounds like it was pretty easy to install. Did you have to get under the car at all or you did everything through the hood?

[j42.snyder]

It's easily accessible from up top.If you have the 2.4L - simply do this:Open the air box (where the air filter is), unplug the MAF sensor wire, and loosen the clamp holding the rubber intake tube to the MAF housing. Remove the top half of the housing and the air filter.There are IIRC 3 or 4 10mm bolts holding the bottom half of the air box to the car. Remove these bolts, and lift the air box out. Note how the inlet tube fit into the tube going to the front fender area for cold air intake.If you now look at the side of the engine block, near the back - directly above the top rear bellhousing (transmission) to engine mounting bolt, you'll see a hole there. This is where the heater element fits.Clean out the hole with a rag, and insert the heater into it. Make sure the retaining clip on the heater faces the firewall for it to click into place.To route the cord, I ran the heater end first through the lower grill opening near the license plate, and then through the rad support near the battery. I put some plastic tubing over most of the cord to protect it from rubbing on anything, and tied it down in a few places with zip ties to make sure it stays away from the cooling fan and anything else sharp. If you don't want to route it through there like that, you may find it easier to plug the cord into the element prior to installation to make it easier to align.Reassembly is the reverse of removal. It's a good time to wipe out the air box while it's out of the car though...I've used mine each day this week. It's great at getting the engine warmed up more quickly! I'm sure it would produce heat to the interior more quickly as well. If I don't need the heat on the windshield, I usually wait until the engine is up to full operating temperature before turning on any heat. This was a dry week - so I didn't try turning on the heat earlier. The temperature gauge started moving even before the end of my street after about 2.5 hours being plugged in - even when it was -12C the other morning. I only allow it to idle until the RPM drop to about 1200, and then off I go. When using the heater, this only takes about 20 seconds. It's also much happier about getting onto the highway right away - feels more like summer. Warm up times are comparable to summer temps. I'll have to see over the next couple of tanks of gas how much it helps the economy. Because I'm using the power during off-peak, it's only costing me around 6-7 cents for the electricity - and since our gas just went up to $1.269/L this week (about $4.80/U.S. gallon), it doesn't take long to use up that much in gas! I just wish my wages would increase to keep up with the gas prices around here - sure affects the monthly budget I had forgotten what the price was - but it was on sale for about $38 - it was regularly around $50. It would have been in 2 years ago if I'd realized it was available for that price!Hope this helps...John

[gimmegimme]

Thanks for the detailed instructions. I installed mine today. Even knowing where the hole was supposed to be, I had a hard time finding it. There are a lot of wires and tubes in the way.The bottom half of the air box had 3 bolts inside it and a bracket on the outside on the firewall side. The bracket can be unbolted from the box or unclipped from the harness on the bundle of wires. Obviously, unclipping it is easier, and obviously, I unbolted it instead. I have the GT and I found that neither end of the power cord fits through the grill (both upper and lower grill are that honeycomb style). I zip-tied the plug to the bracket at the top of the bumper cover, and I'll have to open the hood when I want to plug it in.I got the same heater as you from Canadian Tire for $46.99+tax. It was over $80 from Napa (same part number) and $100 from my local dealer (may or may not be the same one).

[cq358]

is putting a piece of cardboard blocking the radiator is a good idea for -35 weather?

[skimask]

Doesn't hurt. Helps keep airflow out of the engine compartment. Just keep an eye on the temp gauge and if it starts crawling up higher than it normally goes, pull the cardboard out and cut a hole in the middle of it. If the temp keeps climbing, cut the hole bigger. I'm running my radiator completely cardboard blocked right now, as I do all of my vehicles in the winter time. Never had a problem. Then again, I keep an eye on the temp gauge.There are some that'll swear up and down "well, that's the thermostat's job"...Well, the bulk of those clowns have never lived where it's cold...like really really deep down cold.

[cq358]

I see people doing that ,.at least some of my co worker. I think i probability will cover the lower grill with vinyl cardboard.. leave the top part open since we are having aluminum engine.To make the car start a bit easier, i usually turn the ignition on for 10 second until the chime gone off, to make sure the fuel pump runs smoothly.I also cycle the transmission from PRDN twice to make sure enuf fluid prime the torque converter

[skimask]

Cover the lower grill and the air will just get in behind it anyways...Same here, for the fuel pump/pressure...As far as cycling the transmission, agree 100% there, but I just put it in neutral as soon as I can after the engine starts. I do that with all my automatic vehicles too. In particular, my '01 Dodge truck, before the shift kit, didn't fill the T/C in park. With the shift kit it fills the T/C in park, but it's just habit, and I'll stick with it.Ain't gonna hurt nothing...so why not...

[09Vibe]

Any chance you still have the receipt and can quote me the Can Tire SKU?Phillips & Temro Industries, P/N 3100129 does not show up on the web site and going in there with that, or even the make / model / year and part that you are after usually results in something completely different. I find you either tell them what SKU you need or it's a total crap shoot.Cheers !

[gimmegimme]

The item number is 030-3278-0.The description is 3100129 BLOCK HTR.

[09Vibe]

Sweet - thanks! I see that CT has block heaters on sale in their latest flyer... going to grab one of these for sure. Thx again...

[Dairgo]

Just wanted to give you a Thanks, been bumming around this post and another. I've got the heater on order, and now that I know I don't have to drain any fluids to put it in, this will be an easy install when I find the time, will have to get some zip ties. I know it might be a bit cold out, but some pictures of where you ran your cord and zip ties would be appreciated so I can do something similar.