How do you test the block heater? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

winmutt · #1 09-30-2007, 08:58 AM

Mine has been unplugged by PO. Amusingly enough I used it for the latter part of the winter everyday and didn't realize this.

nhdoc · #2 09-30-2007, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

Mine has been unplugged by PO. Amusingly enough I used it for the latter part of the winter everyday and didn't realize this.

I'd guess if you measured the resistance through it with an ohm meter you could tell if the coil was open or not. That's really all you need to know. If it measures some low resistance, on the order of say 20-40 ohms I would say it is fine (that would be about 350-700 watts which is what I think most of them are rated for). If it is open then you will measure infinite resistance and will know it is shot.

heelerguy · #3 09-30-2007, 09:24 AM

plug it in and listen to it...if ya hear it beginning to gurgle..it's working. You can also plug it in and feel the block heater housing. You need to use the block heater in Georgia? I never plug mine in until I get down to about -10 or colder.

Jim

kerry · #4 09-30-2007, 09:32 AM

On my 77 you can see the temperature guage come up when the key is turned off if the block heater has been plugged in for a couple of hours. A block heater in Georgia does seem unnecessary unless we're talking about the old Soviet Georgia.

Biodiesel300TD · #5 09-30-2007, 11:14 AM

I can hear mine sizzling in the coolant when I plug it in.

pawoSD · #6 09-30-2007, 01:48 PM

If you have one of those "Kill-a-watt" power meters you can check the watts/amps it uses when plugged in. My lower hose heater uses about 450watts, and the in-block heaters on the other two cars use about 270 watts each. The hose heater is more powerful to compensate for the fact that its not directly in the block....and it does work when left plugged in for 3.5 or more hours. I use it overnight if the temps are below 20F, just to be nice to the engine.

Adenauer · #7 09-30-2007, 01:55 PM

Having lived in Tennessee, you'd be surprised at how cold it can get down to in North Georgia. Some pretty bad ice storms have rolled through the South over the years.

winmutt · #8 09-30-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

On my 77 you can see the temperature guage come up when the key is turned off if the block heater has been plugged in for a couple of hours. A block heater in Georgia does seem unnecessary unless we're talking about the old Soviet Georgia.

We have about 2 months of below freezing weather. Just enough to appreciate 100+ degree temps.

VWGuru&BenzFan · #9 09-30-2007, 03:44 PM

1) Park car
2) Check temperature, ensure that it is below freezing
3) Plug in block heater
4) Sleep
5) Come back in the morning, unplug block heater
6) Wipe off frost from windows
7) Start car

If you feel like you've awakened a vengeful wrath of a shaky, oil-burning German beast when you turn the key, it's likely your block heater isn't working.

WD8CDH · #10 10-01-2007, 10:22 AM

I run my block heater from a timer. No need to run it more than a couple of hours to heat up the engine.

kerry · #11 10-01-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

We have about 2 months of below freezing weather. Just enough to appreciate 100+ degree temps.

I don't think much about block heaters until it's below 0.

DZL_Damon · #12 10-01-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WD8CDH

I run my block heater from a timer. No need to run it more than a couple of hours to heat up the engine.

10-4... I give it an hour if it's below 20* (short commute, helps with warm up) and if it gets below 0* or so, I give it 2-3 hours. Very nice, and not wasting money at $0.16/kw-hr!!