I just installed the wire for the stock MB block heater. I also installed an outlet near where I park to make it easier to plug in at night. Im sure you don't have to leave it pluged in all night, that just wastes energy. I want to use some type of timer to turn it on during the night. How long does it take for the heater to warm up the engine? And how many watts is the block heater? I want to get a timer that can handle the power.

Installing the wire I removed the lower pans, they were caked with crud. The padding or sound deadening flaked right off. I washed off the pans with grease remover and they look brand new, but they are missing the foam. I assume that it's just for noise?

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Karl B
95 E300 D
2006 Mazdaspeed 6
2001 GMC Yukon XL
1997 Contour SVT
Mazda RX-7 SCCA race car

2-3 hours is plenty of time. I'm pretty sure it is only about 500 watts.

The lower pans are for noise but they are also for cooling.

Do I need to add the foam? I could not even begin to know where it went or what type it was. It was completly distroyed by the oil and gunk when I took it down.

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Karl B
95 E300 D
2006 Mazdaspeed 6
2001 GMC Yukon XL
1997 Contour SVT
Mazda RX-7 SCCA race car

I have always just used a regular timer for my block heater with no problems. But I have always had outlets that were inside. You may want to get an outdoor timer if your outlet is outside.

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Don't worry about the foam. Just scrape it off and forget it. You can find a "heavy duty" timer at most hardware stores. During the winter I set mine to go on at about 4 AM and I'm starting my car at 6:30 AM, and it's fine.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D

Man o' man!! The thing that stands out, like Jessica Simpson at a Mensa meeting, is the fact that Karl B got his block heater set up and his outlet inslalled and it's July!! Here's someone who is ORGANIZED. Kudos.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Just got back from Fairbanks last night.

Living in sunny NorCal, it was interesting to see that most parking lots in town have an outlet available at every stall and that every vehicle/ATV has a blue block heater cord tied under the front grill.

Went into a -40f chamber to expirience their "winter" for 15 minutes. Inside were two pint jars of motor oil that was so thick it took 2 to 3 minutes for it to flow to the bottom of the jar when turned upside down.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)