Block Heater Installation - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

piccolovic · #1 12-01-2006, 07:27 PM

Can anyone tell me how the block heater is installed on my '83 300D/Turbo? Any diagrams would be appreciated also. Specifically, is the block heater a sensor replacement, or screw into the engine like a sensor, and where does it install? Also, there may be one already installed, without the plug, so would need to know where to find it if it's there.

I'm stuck in Minnesota with freezing weather and this Florida car does not want to start. Seems that the glow plugs were checked and work fine. Guess my car is protesting the 5 degree weather.

Thanks for your help folks.

Torie

justinperkins · #2 12-01-2006, 08:04 PM

Could this help (aftermarket)? http://dieselgiant.com/mercedesblockheaterinstall.htm

I have no knowledge of block heaters, but intend on getting mine (original setup) hooked up in the next week or so.

Hit Man X · #3 12-01-2006, 08:20 PM

Are your valves set properly? Good battery? Newer starter? Letting it glow for a while prior to starting?

Also you're supposed to hit the fuel pedal once I recall prior to trying to start it when below 32°F

MattBelliveau · #4 12-01-2006, 08:25 PM

Look on the passenger side of the engine, just below the motor mount. Don't be a dummy, and order a lower raditor type, install it, then find an old cord to a block heater while making the final adjustments...then your name would be MattBelliveau...you probably already have one. It might just need the cord.

Jeremy5848 · #5 12-01-2006, 10:41 PM

It would be nice if Matt were right (and worth looking at the engine anyway) but if your car was sold new in Florida, it probably did not have a block heater. They were optional in the W123 cars -- free, I think, but you had to ask. The only challenge lies in getting the plug (it screws in, uses a largish Allen key to remove) out of the block. You should probably try to loosen it before buying a block heater. Might take a touch of the propane torch.

If you can't get the plug out, buy the Diesel Giant kit. I have one -- my '85 300D is the dreaded California model with the trap ox and you can't even see the plug location much less get at it. DG's kit is complete and easy to install.

Jeremy (born in Duluth, by the way)

Bruce Kennedy · #6 12-02-2006, 12:10 AM

Napa sells the same heater for under $40, no shipping cost either if you can just pick it up.

85 300td
85 300d
84 300sd
83 300d
81 240d

gregszustak · #7 12-02-2006, 06:18 AM

I saw a hair dryer mentioned a while back.
If you have a temporary situation you can prop it up next to the oil pan for a couple hours and then stick it in your air intake to warm the air.
Might help enough to get you back into a warm climate.

Jeremy5848 · #8 12-02-2006, 11:22 AM

Of all the hair-brained [hare-brained] schemes...

Actually, Greg, I used a hair dryer once in a cold-weather situation... [picture old fart reminiscing] ... it was the winter of '90 in the inter-mountain west. We were traveling from California to visit family and were crossing Nevada on I-80. There was black ice on the highway and cars were spun off the road here and there. As night fell, I decided to stop driving so we got a motel in Battle Mountain (that's another story).

In the morning it was -35F and, of course, the car (a '65 Olds Cutlass gasser) wouldn't start. AAA had a 3-day backlog so I knew we were on our own. The motel owner loaned us a battery charger and I put my wife's hair dryer on the intake manifold next to the carburetor (remember carburetors?). Covered it up with the spare tire cover and left it for a couple of hours. At 1130 AM the engine finally started and we got on the road. Quite a sight...dead trucks all over (their fuel had gelled, of course). It gradually warmed up until, when we pulled into Salt Lake, it was only -10F. Positively balmy.

Wouldn't want to try that with my 300D.

Magoo · #9 12-02-2006, 02:41 PM

Is that the block heater or the in-hose heater?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Kennedy

Napa sells the same heater for under $40, no shipping cost either if you can just pick it up.

85 300td
85 300d
84 300sd
83 300d
81 240d

Jeremy5848 · #10 12-02-2006, 06:13 PM

Probably the hose heater.

gregszustak · #11 12-02-2006, 10:10 PM

Installed the NAPA lower hose heater about 3 months ago, used it first time today. About 22 degrees.
Plugged it in 2-1/2 hours. Lower portion of thermostat housing felt hotter than hell. Started like it was 60 degrees. Using a synthetic blend, cranks nicely.

babymog · #12 12-02-2006, 10:34 PM

Hair dryer? You guys are more nuts than I thought.

Go to Autozone or any other large automotive (or truck) parts store, buy a magnetic oil-pan heater, stick it on the pan or block wherever you can, ... has to beat a hair dryer for a temporary fix. Put one on the trans pan also if you want.

vstech · #13 12-02-2006, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Hair dryer? You guys are more nuts than I thought.

Go to Autozone or any other large automotive (or truck) parts store, buy a magnetic oil-pan heater, stick it on the pan or block wherever you can, ... has to beat a hair dryer for a temporary fix. Put one on the trans pan also if you want.

Uh, aren't our oil pans aluminum? I guess it would work on the block... it's iron.
please correct me if I am wrong.
John

Jadavis · #14 12-02-2006, 10:58 PM

Hair dryers are 1000-1500 watts.

My magnetic oil pan heater is 200 watts.

Hot air in the intake can't be too bad of an idea, Dodge uses an electric heating grid on the intakes of their diesel to preheat the incoming air. They don't have glow plugs.

-Jim

Jeremy5848 · #15 12-02-2006, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jadavis

...My magnetic oil pan heater is 200 watts.
-Jim

Requires magnetic oil?