Engine Block Heater, Problems

alpnst · **Posted:** Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:58 pm

Has anyone had problems with the engine block heater? I have plugged mine in the last couple of nights that it has dipped to 32 degrees. Both mornings I come out and it fires up like it does when not plugged in. Last year when I plugged the jeep in the glow plug light would not come on and she would fire up as if it was 80 degrees outside. Anyway I have tested the extension cord I am using and power is getting there. I haven't had time to throw a meter inline and see what kind of amps are being drawn. I was just looking to see if anyone has had problems with theirs. Let me know.

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:17 pm

I haven't had any issues starting mine without plugging it in. Just takes it an extra revolution or two.....

dgeist · **Posted:** Wed Nov 28, 2007 2:32 pm

alpnst wrote:

Has anyone had problems with the engine block heater? I have plugged mine in the last couple of nights that it has dipped to 32 degrees. Both mornings I come out and it fires up like it does when not plugged in. Last year when I plugged the jeep in the glow plug light would not come on and she would fire up as if it was 80 degrees outside. Anyway I have tested the extension cord I am using and power is getting there. I haven't had time to throw a meter inline and see what kind of amps are being drawn. I was just looking to see if anyone has had problems with theirs. Let me know.

ammeter is the easy way to tell, but I'm surprised that you had any issues at 32 degrees. You're not using B100 are you?

chadhargis · **Posted:** Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:02 pm

I've plugged in my block heater when it's in the 30's, and it makes the Jeep start easier and the heater is hot instantly. If I don't plug it in, it take a few more revolutions to start (as noted above) and it runs fine, but why not use that heater? It's REALLY nice to have instant heat.

CATCRD · **Posted:** Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:46 pm

chadhargis wrote:

I've plugged in my block heater when it's in the 30's, and it makes the Jeep start easier and the heater is hot instantly. If I don't plug it in, it take a few more revolutions to start (as noted above) and it runs fine, but why not use that heater? It's REALLY nice to have instant heat.

I agree, plus I think it reduces wear and tear on the engine and starter. I have it on a timer to start 2 hrs before I leave for work. Any longer doesn't heat it up more.

alpnst · **Posted:** Wed Nov 28, 2007 6:14 pm

To clarify, I am not having problems starting. I just noticed that the engine block heater is not heating up. At 32 degrees this morning the glow plug light came on and it took several revolutions to start. That just showed me that the block heater is not working. My understanding is that the block heater is just an element screwed into the block not much to break, hence why I was asking if anyone is having problems. Thanks for the responses though.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:07 pm

It is not a very high watt heater. I have used farm implements with hotter ones and the block felt warm through the night. Have not seen that wiht the CRD. Someone posted that it was only 400 watts. A good Kats will be a minimum of 800 and more likely 1000 to 1500 watts.

dgeist · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:40 am

alpnst wrote:

To clarify, I am not having problems starting. I just noticed that the engine block heater is not heating up. At 32 degrees this morning the glow plug light came on and it took several revolutions to start. That just showed me that the block heater is not working. My understanding is that the block heater is just an element screwed into the block not much to break, hence why I was asking if anyone is having problems. Thanks for the responses though.

Sounds like a no... Time to pull out the meter :wink:

JIMMY JEEP · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:48 am

Are these block heaters you mention factory fitted options? or are they after market?

skywarn · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:55 am

they should all be stock... but i cant find mine...

Could some one post a pic of where the cord plugs into the block heater? The dealer is saying its two parts, the heater, and the cord. I was told that the cord plugs in right by the flywheel next to the oil filter.... I’m trying to fig out if i'm missing the cord and or the heater as well.

Its not to bad, the heater is $27 and the cord is $29 from the dealer... yea! Something that’s useful AND cheep!

chadhargis · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:16 am

I've heard that the cord is zip tied somewhere out of the way when it comes from the factory, but I got my CRD used and my cord is immediately noticeable as soon as you open the hood. I just leave it there. When I want to plug it in, I pop the hood, plug it up, and lightly latch (but not close) the hood.

My engine is toasty warm the next morning (mostly because I plug it in while the engine is still warm) and I have instant heat and it starts like it's a summer day.

bugnout · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:20 am

Mine came zip corded to the dipstick tube.

skywarn · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:48 am

nope mine is not zip tied anywhere... but i need to know is where does it plug into the block... even another CRD owner (nix) and i spent a good amount of time looking for the plug... its not there....

greiswig · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:10 pm

chadhargis wrote:

I've plugged in my block heater when it's in the 30's, and it makes the Jeep start easier and the heater is hot instantly. If I don't plug it in, it take a few more revolutions to start (as noted above) and it runs fine, but why not use that heater? It's REALLY nice to have instant heat.

Even in the temperate Portland, OR area, my CRD has never had heat instantly when using the block heater...not even when brand new with temperatures only around 30F. It seems to heat up faster, but I would hardly describe it as instant. IIRC, I measured 100ohms on the element when new. When I plug it in now, there is the characteristic arc that you'd expect when plugging something in that is on, and not burned out.

CATCRD · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:54 pm

skywarn wrote:

nope mine is not zip tied anywhere... but i need to know is where does it plug into the block... even another CRD owner (nix) and i spent a good amount of time looking for the plug... its not there....

Look closely, the cord is bundled and zip tied to the dipstick. Not removeable. I ran it down and forward thru the lower air dam. When not in use I flop it up in the plastic tray under the tow hook.

JIMMY JEEP · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:17 pm

I cant wait until tomm when its light and i can have a look if mines fitted with a heater,is there anything else apart from the cord near the dipstick i can look for that would confirm i have one? I hope i do, and what parts would i nead from the stealership to enable me to plug it into the mains ?thanks

dgeist · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:50 pm

JIMMY JEEP wrote:

I cant wait until tomm when its light and i can have a look if mines fitted with a heater,is there anything else apart from the cord near the dipstick i can look for that would confirm i have one? I hope i do, and what parts would i nead from the stealership to enable me to plug it into the mains ?thanks

Crazy thought, but if you do have one, it would have to be 220v, right? It's possible that the heater used in the states is not compatible or otherwise prohibited from use in the UK. I'll bet your local dealer could verify if it comes standard or is an option for you "greenlaners".

skywarn · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:52 pm

CATCRD wrote:

skywarn wrote:

nope mine is not zip tied anywhere... but I need to know is where does it plug into the block... even another CRD owner (nix) and I spent a good amount of time looking for the plug... its not there....

Look closely, the cord is bundled and zip tied to the dipstick. Not removable. I ran it down and forward thru the lower air dam. When not in use I flop it up in the plastic tray under the tow hook.

Even the dealer can’t find it... really its not there. I know everyone as told me to look closer... believe me if I can do the EHM, ORM, install a Lift kit, change my gear oil, motor oil, install a cat fuel filter, make my own bio fuel etc... Not to come off in a rude way so please don’t take it like that, but I feel i’m smart enough to know if i’m missing the heater/plug for my block. And trust me its not there!

Does anyone know where the wire plugs into the block? The KJ shop manual shows only the gasser blocks not the CRD.. Go fig ea??

Sir Sam... In your wanderings around the yard, would you know where to look??

What the dealer is saying is that the prev owner didn’t know what the plug was for and/or being in TX didn’t need it so they took it off and never put it back on when they traded the CRD back in. so when I bought it from the dealer it was never on the CRD.

JIMMY JEEP · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:11 pm

Were on 240v in UK ,what you guys on 110V?, i'm no electrical expert would it have to be a different heater or can electrical items like that run various voltages?

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:27 pm

I can't check until tonight when I get home as my manuals are on my home laptop but I am sure it shows the location in there. I will check it out then. PM me your emaiul and I can email the specific pages to you.

Engine Block Heater, Problems

Who is online