Well, I got under the beast today. I cleaned the terminals on the coil in the block thoroughly with cotton wool soaked in WD-40. The cotton wool looked a bit dirty, but nothing that I'd expect to clog the terminals. I also cleaned the terminals on the heater cord itself. I plugged it into the power, and plugged the cord into the block. I realized why my system wasn't working: it seems like my cord has some fault as I had to keep playing with it before I started hearing what sounded like water getting heated! Music to my ears! At that point, I declared my coil as fully functioning well. As of now, I was able to leave the cord's end inside the block in such a position that it is heating. However, I'm sure that will all the shaking from the engine, it will eventually be moved and stop making good contact. So I now know what I have to do: purchase a new cord.

HA! Case closed!! You folks are the best!!

__________________
1999 Mercedes-Benz S600, 103K miles - garage queen
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL, 89K miles - daily driver
2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited, 31K - daily driver

good job--how do i get that dANCING MAN?

When you start typing your reply, by your right hand side instead of just clicking on one of the smilies, click on "More" and then select it from the long list that pops up.

__________________
1999 Mercedes-Benz S600, 103K miles - garage queen
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL, 89K miles - daily driver
2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited, 31K - daily driver

I had a feeling that was your problem(at least I hoped it would be-I bet getting one of those out would be a nightmare with the engine in the car).

__________________
1982 300DT 190K (Diesel Purge + synthetic oil=smoothness at last!!!)
2004 Ford E-350 6.0 L PSD 227K
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW HO Cummins 4X4 48RE 42K (brute force tow vehicle)
2005 Scion xB wife's rolling pop can
1993 GMC Sierra C3500 6.2 142K

How hot are these block heaters suposed to get?

__________________
One more Radar Lover gone...
1982 VW Caddy diesel 406K 1.9L AAZ
1994 E320 195K

Well they boil the coolant, just like a water heater I'm guessing. However, if you leave it on for several hours, the car can get as hot as 50C before startup. At such a temperature, your glow plugs won't even have much heating to do and the car will crank up with ease. That's the whole point of plugging in right?

__________________
1999 Mercedes-Benz S600, 103K miles - garage queen
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL, 89K miles - daily driver
2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited, 31K - daily driver

I ran my heater for the first time today (new heater) it was about 20degF. ran for about 2.5 hours. at astart up my gage read about 40degC. I only ran the glow plugs for about 10 seconds, started right up

__________________
Kevin
82 300D

300d's block heater's function is in question. I tested the voltage at the female plug used to connect to house current.

With it pluged in, I got 53 volts across the hot and ground, and Zero volts across the hot and neutral.

Is this what it should be reading?

thanks.. Frank

__________________
'85 white 300SD - "YCAGWYW" as in: "You Can't Awlays Get What You Want."
'85 gold 300D - "Pain"..for sale, as in..Anyone want to date my Ex-wife... I'll Pay !!
'83 300td - "Tumblin" as in "Dice"
'81 black 300TD Fenix, risen and sold, now residing in NJ

um..ok...ahh...Never mind..

My voltage problems, and hopefully my block heater troubles are over.. a couple of hours will tell.. but..

But..um..It seems, my voltage problems were a result of..um.. a bad extention cord..

Frank?.. Here's your Sign...

LOL...

__________________
'85 white 300SD - "YCAGWYW" as in: "You Can't Awlays Get What You Want."
'85 gold 300D - "Pain"..for sale, as in..Anyone want to date my Ex-wife... I'll Pay !!
'83 300td - "Tumblin" as in "Dice"
'81 black 300TD Fenix, risen and sold, now residing in NJ