Okay got a break in the weater and another storm is coming in so i figured now would be the time to put my block heater on. Has anyone used a ZeroStart tank type heater. Does the heater have any control valves that would restrict flow? Where is the engine block drain hole? I dont know what im looking for so any help would be appreciated.

1.Determine heater inlet connection:
The instructions say that the "prefered heater inlet connection is from the engine block drain hole to the heater"

Alternate connections can be made at the lowest accessible point in the engine block on the suction side of the coolant pump, from the radiator drain plug, or from the lower radiator hose.

2.Determine heater outlet connection
Prefered heateroutlet connnection is from the heater to the hoseline running from the engine to the passenger compartment heater, provided no heater control valves restrict flow to the engine.

The heater hose you are looking for is on the driver side and comes out of the head. I do not see anything to impede the flow of coolant since the monovalve needs voltage to close, not open.

The engine block drain is on the passenger side, near the starter, and is usually a real PITA to remove, from what I have heard.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

The biggest PIA feature of removing the drain plug is its vicinity to the positive electrical connection on the starter. Very easy to weld the wrench to the nut and starter if you don't first disconnect the battery. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Which is the the hose your talking about?

Attached Thumbnails

   

the first pic is the heater hose hot exit from the motor. the second pic is the outlet from the heater core to the monovalve. the back side of that gadget has the heater return hose in it, but as mentioned, with the car off, it should allow heated water to circulate through the block. not a low connection though. the block drain is just about dead center on the passangers side of the block just above the oil pan. directly in front of the starter. I never had any issues getting the drain plugs out with an extension and a 17mm socket from below the car.

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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!