block heater noise?

[Raven]

Every vehicle I have owned made hissing or clicking sounds when the block heater was plugged in. My Vibe doesn't make a sound. Is this normal or does it mean the block heater is faulty? Does yours make a noise?

[Raven]

Quote, originally posted by Salsa! »Never heard any sound coming from the block heater.... is your engine warmer when you plug it in?No it's ice cold like the -18c when I plugged it in at 6:00am this morning. When I plug in my GMC Sierra it makes a hissing sound almost immediately. I guess the Toyota is a quiet one.

[DavidPIL]

Hi Sunny....The block heater I have was just a simple resistor type electrode thingie. No moving parts and it's insterted relatively snuggly into a machined hole in the block. I can't imagine it would do anything to make a noise. It's dead quiet but I know it's working because the block an headers are noticably warm to the touch. I don't think this type should make a noise. Mine doesn't.Dave

[MadBill]

Most American-designed vehicles have block heaters which fit in a frost plug opening, so the heater element is in contact with the coolant. They tend to hiss like kettles because they actually boil the fluid in direct contact with the element. I believe the Vibe one just contacts the outside of the block, so no hiss. Because the aluminum is such a good conductor, it works just about as well.Often you can tell if the heater is working because of the arcing that occurs as you plug it in. (Or just wait 'till morning and see if you get heat right away!)