The end of the cord that is supposed to be plugged into the block is dangling in the engine bay. So today I crawled under the car looking for the heater...found this pic in a thread here:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/attachments/diesel-discussion/39812d1167378322-block-heater-engine-out-turbo.jpg
I have either a freeze plug here or a bolt. It was hard to make out exactly where the red arrow was pointing on my car..mostly because i didn't have the computer under the car with me I'm guessing it was leaking sometime in the past and was removed and plugged and they left the cord there to fool any future owners.

So I'm in the market for a new block heater. I was planning on getting the lower hose heater from diesel giant, then i saw some people talking about the zerostart? heater I think its called? Does anyone have a comparison of these two options? Which zerostart model should i even be looking at?

Any input is appreciated, I've been able to make it so far this winter, I might put it off to a better-weather job.

Thanks,
-geoff

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1985 300TD-euro 352,000 mi
1974 240D (1?)52,000 mi - has a new home now

I believe Zerostart makes a variety of heaters including a lower radiator hose heater so it would depend on what kind you are referring to. Lower hose heater seems to be the simplest one to install.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

That is an understatement... they make hundreds of heaters.
google'd it and found their catalog. wow...

John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Makes all the difference in the world. 11 degrees this morning, it was a no go. Plugged in the block heater for an hour and it started first crank.

__________________
1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

i have a lower hose heater in my 300d and it works just fine. did not cost a fortune, and runs for very little. i leave it in all night and even at -25 on the dial, it starts nicely. . .
i would not fool around with the block at all. you break it and its all over but the crying .. and the lower hose heater went in within a half hour. . .
davidh

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david h
83 300D Alabama Beauty (Son's)
83 300D West Coast Rust Free that been abused

I would agree with the lower hose heater.
Toss in a wrap around battery heater.
Both from NAPA, a little change back from $60

If using a lower hose heater I'd use a battery blanket/heated wrap also, and leave it on overnight. The hose ones take longer to heat it up (at least 3-4 hours) vs. 1.5-2 hours for a block mounted heater.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Thats the info I was looking for I guess. I wish I could find the block mounted heater, but I guess it was removed for one reason or another.

So I can get a lower hose heater at Napa? Do I just cut the lower hose and insert the heater? I was planning on ordering one from dieselgiant, but if I can buy one locally and install it tomorrow, I'm all over it. I rarely get below 0 here in central PA (since I've been here anyway) so I might be able to skip the battery blanket, but I'll keep it in mind if the battery presents an issue.

Thanks,
-Geoff

__________________
1985 300TD-euro 352,000 mi
1974 240D (1?)52,000 mi - has a new home now

Pizzachef,

I installed a ZeroStart 3200003 in my 81 300SD last night. I got it from O'Reilly Auto Parts for $24.99. Unfortunately, O'Reilly's has not gotten north of Virginia yet. NAPA on line does show the same heater for $33.99.

The ZeroStart 3200002 is 1 1/4" in diameter and the 3200003 is 1 1/2" in diameter. The 3200002 is a tad loose and the 3200003 is a tad tight. Take your pick. On other thing to consider: the 3200002 is a 375 watt unit while the 3200003 is a 600 watt unit. After running about 8 hours, even the valve cover of the engine was warm to the touch. I'm going to try a timer and a shorter heat time.

Tom

Yes, the MB hose is 1 3/8. I decided to go with the 1 1/2 but I haven't installed it yet.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Pretty sure the one I got from NAPA was 1-1/4. Installed about 2 inches from the thermostat housing. Easier to take the hose out.

Temp here today -5 to 0, (30 miles east of Buffalo, NY) hose heater and battery warmer on all night. 10W 40 synthetic blend.
Foot halfway down on accelerator and about 4 seconds of cranking to fire all 4 cylinders 240D

Too bad I couldn't go anywhere with the driving bans.

What driving bans? do they not let you drive if it gets down to zero? dont they sell winter clothing around there? i carry my carhart bibs and lacrosse ice kings when it is this cold out. along with a bunch of those air activated hand warmers...

__________________
1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

Lake effect storm - High winds - had 2 feet plus drifts in 7 hours.
Sister in law (East Aurora NY) had 3 - 4 feet plus drifts.
Plows can't keep up, snow falling too fast. Thruway and Expressways closed, visibilty 5 to 30 feet.

Many who did venture out ended up in a ditch.

Driving bans will last til the weather recedes.