Engine Block Heater

[Stands Alone]

Just picked mine up from the dealer. They weren't about to tell me where it goes. Can anyone tell me where this heater is suppose to mount ? There's not a whole lot to it. Wire inside of plastic insulation with the electrode (heating element) on one end, and the plug on the other. With a few clips along the way. I thought if this wasnt' a big deal, I'd go ahead and do it myself. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks !

[Frosty]

Me too! I can post some pics if you like. Can't imagine this is an urgent matter for a Vibe in Arizona!
[Modified by Frosty, 3:01 PM 9/27/2002]

[Stands Alone]

Thanks fellas. Any pictorials and/or verbals are most appreciated. I knew somebody would say something about AZ, and maybe why would I need an engine block heater living here. OK, so hold on to your hats. Yes we have mountians here,..and it gets cold. The winter of 89, the Saturday before xmas, it got down to -29 at the airport. I know my canadian mates live the harsh winters up north. When I come out of that paper mill where I work at 1 or 2 in the morning, it would be soooooooooo nice to have a nice warm engine so I can hurry up and go home to bed.

[Frosty]

Cool We believe you Once every 13 years you might get a taste of what we get every year.Seriously, I visited Pheonix in February 1990 and rented a crx to see the Grand Canyon and Meteor Crator. The snow storm that I apparently brought with me had the snow plows running off the roads. My Pheonix CRX had summer tires and plain water in the windshield washer tank. I did see some trees along the way that you must use to make paper. Anyway, I loved my visit to your state and think of it often.

[Stands Alone]

We use to have the largest stand of Ponderosa pine in the world. After our big fire last June, I'm not so sure. Took out 480,000 acres. The environmentalists had their way. Our mill is now 100% recycled. So there isn't much pulp wood harvesting going on. Which adds to the problem in the forest. We have two news print machines and one linerboard (brown paper) machine. Abitibi Consolidated out of Montreal (Canadian Company) is the owner. Smurfit/Stone owns the linerboard machine. So most everyone back east thinks we're nothing but desert, cactus, & the Grand Canyon. Good, let them think that so they won't come here to live. But if you like 110+deg everyday for 3-4 months,.....go to Phoenix. And work construction. When I was young I had a strong back and a weak mind. Now they're both weak !!

[Frosty]

Here you go! This is a very tight squeeze to install this. Hope your hands are smaller than mine. This first image is a front view. And here is a side view. We are looking at the right rear of the engine as we stand at the bumper, or properly left rear of the engine from the driver's seat. You cannot see the plug in these pics. I can follow the wire from where it is stored at the battery, down to the engine. There must be some kind of a plug where it goes under that hose. Good luck
[Modified by Frosty, 9:53 AM 9/30/2002]

[Stands Alone]

Thanks for the pics. You weren't kidding about it being a tight spot. Think maybe I'll do the sensible thing for me, and let the dealer do it. Thanks again for the help. One of these days I'm getting a digital camera.

[Frosty]

quote:Think maybe I'll do the sensible thing for me, and let the dealer do itAn hour's labour would be worth it unless you have a tiny friend who can wiggle in there.

[935684]

I could be wrong, but I think the coolant has to be drained first. Then, a frost plug is removed. The block heater element replaces the frost plug. Don't forget to pour the coolant back in.

[935684]

By the way, when I saw my Vibe on the dealer's lot, I asked them where the block heater plug was located. He opened the hood, and showed me the cord and plug, neatly sitting atop the battery.I said, "No way." I'm not about to open my hood every night when I park my car. Further, a heavy snowfall or freezing rain, would make it a pain in the rear to unplug and close the hood in the morning.I told them I wanted the plug to exit from the lower grille on the driver's side. That way, it can be partially shielded from freezing rain and snow (You wouldn't believe how often precip used to trip my GFCI, until I figured out what to do). In any case, they reluctantly did what I wanted. My car warmer plug also exits from that grille, about 10" away from the block heater plug.Now they'll both stay relatively dry.
[Modified by 935684, 12:11 PM 10/1/2002]

[Stands Alone]

Thank you all for the pics, insights, and suggestions. I stopped by the dealer today to see what their book said on how much time it should take to install the heater. I got a load of blarney about, "we'll have to take a look at it", etc. Guess I will contact GM to see if they have some info. The front cover came in today. I'm not real happy. Go see my post on that.

[huy397]

I just found out that my cord is sitting besides the battery too and I'd like to have come out of the lower grill as well.How this be done?THank you very much.

[engine1]

You can use a lower rad hose heater! They are just as effective and alot easier to install, you can do it yourself in about half an hour from start to finish. Temro Zerostart products p/n 3200002.

[DavidPIL]

Quote, originally posted by huy397 »I just found out that my cord is sitting besides the battery too and I'd like to have come out of the lower grill as well.The only way I can figure you can do this is re-route the power cord from around the battery (I'm assuming the stock install is the same as the diagram I received with mine). The power cord, as it is, is too short to reach the bottom grill. By re-routing it from around the battery more directly around the radiator to the Grill, you shorten the path of the wire thus making it reach further. Just make sure you route the wire away from any engine heat source i.e.:Radiator. And be sure to use zip ties or something similar to secure the wires so they don't swing freely in the engine compartment.Dave