Dumb question re: block heater.
 

So, I've got an 84 300 DT with the block heater. Question is, how do I use it? The plug has a "female" end to it, but anything I plug in the wall has the male end in the wall and a female end to connect to things. So, how do you connect it? Are adapters readily available? After its connected, how long do you leave it "on". Sorry to ask such a dumb question. I've had this car for 3 years, but this will be the first daily driven winter. After the first freeze I can already sense the hesitation! Thanks in advance.

That's strange. My block heater is factory and is male... You can buy either buy two male ends and make a small adapter or by a dedicated cord and cut the female end off and replace with a male. Any hardware store would sell the ends.

edit: Forgot to answer your other questions. Depending on how cold it is, it can take a few hours to get to temp.. I only use mine on really cold days (and here that means both of them). I use an outdoor rated timer to switch it on 2 hours early. It's nice to have heat from the getgo.

It's not possible to have a block heater cord with a female end. They are not made that way. You'd be plugging in a live male end each time you use the cord and, sooner or later, you'll kill yourself.

Remove cord, toss in trash, and purchase a proper block heater cord from this site.

The unit can run for about 3 hours and raise the block temperature sufficiently for a normal start. Most folks use a timer of some sort.

The correct heater and cord should look something like this:

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1CQ0J3JZ41X50KGAB2&year=1984&make=MB&model=300-DT-001&category=All&part=Block+Heater+Kit

I'm betting that if you look closely, someone has either replaced the original male end or there is already a pigtail there connected to the original male cord end. On my 77, there was a pretty short heater cord, plugged into another short cord under the hood which wound its way out thru the grill so it was accessible wihtout opening the hood.

Brian is right. One easy way to avoid having to worry about whether your diesel will start is to routinely use a hot male end. Your concerns will surely turn to other matters than whether your car will start.

Hmmm
 

Engine Heater ideas
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/85227-engine-block-heater-ideas.html







Have a great day.

How cold does it get where you live? I have park my car over night in some pretty cold locations and never had trouble starting without a block heater.

Just because you can start a 617 without a block heater doesn't mean that you should do it.;)

Why not? What are the negative consequenses? I'm not trying to be confontational I just never thought about it.

More wear on the cylinder walls form cold metal/oil, and incomplete combustion letting raw fuel into the oil.

Increased wear/load on starter and battery.
 

Starter health is important to your diesel.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/107318-starter-health-important-your-diesel-post739798.html

Battery selection / Charging System / jump starting / cold weather battery issues
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/141516-battery-selection-charging-system-jump-starting-cold-weather-battery-issues-post1058189.html

Battery for your Diesel
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/102886-battery-your-diesel.html

Asked and answered.:D

If you've got a block heater and can alleviate some of the burden on the starter and the very poor oil flow from conventional oil, why not take advantage of it................!

Omegaman uses punctuation

My old engine with the bad rod had a nice condition block heater in it, couldnt get the thread reducer out with it, no biggie there, thats easily replaced, the biggie came when I was unable to remove any of the plugs in the replacement engine so that I could put it on, froze in good enough to bust off a tool in them with a cheater pipe....I probably coulda drilled them out, but it was too much trouble to get into, so the heater still sits on the shelf in my shop...

1980 240D w617 motor