installing block heater. where to buy 19 MM Allen key? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ted Daniels · #1 03-15-2008, 05:33 PM

I bought a block heater on ebay and want to install it now that I have intake and exhaust manifold off the engine. Where can I buy a 19mm/ 3/4 allen key?? I presume you'd need one you can use with a 1/2 inch breaker bar?
Anyone installed one before? and do you use teflon or an o-ring to prevent coolant-leaks?

kerry · #2 03-15-2008, 05:37 PM

Can't answer your question, but I can say that I decided the effort to remove the plug far exceeded my will to do it. I bought a Zerostart 1 1/2" lower radiator hose heater on Ebay for around $10 and spent half an hour installing it. Works fine.

Ted Daniels · #3 03-15-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

Can't answer your question, but I can say that I decided the effort to remove the plug far exceeded my will to do it. I bought a Zerostart 1 1/2" lower radiator hose heater on Ebay for around $10 and spent half an hour installing it. Works fine.

but isn't it so that that only heats the radiator since the thermostat is closed when the engine is cold?

kerry · #4 03-15-2008, 05:56 PM

No, it heats the engine as the heat rises thru the coolant from the hose and into the engine. Doesn't heat up quite as fast as the block heater but fast enough to decide not to bother trying to remove the plug on my other cars that needed a heater.

If I had the manifolds off with easy access to the plug I might think otherwise. However, the amount of effort people have described using to loosen that plug has made some people think there is the possibility of cracking the block during the removal procedure.

mobetta · #5 03-15-2008, 06:28 PM

I got a 3 pc allen set from autozone a while back 14,17,19mm, i believe. I needed it for the rear diff. it was about $10. if you search here, the AZ part no. is posted- look for rear diff plug or something.........

Ted Daniels · #6 03-15-2008, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

No, it heats the engine as the heat rises thru the coolant from the hose and into the engine. Doesn't heat up quite as fast as the block heater but fast enough to decide not to bother trying to remove the plug on my other cars that needed a heater.

If I had the manifolds off with easy access to the plug I might think otherwise. However, the amount of effort people have described using to loosen that plug has made some people think there is the possibility of cracking the block during the removal procedure.

so it's in there rather tight I presume? what would the dealer do, if I would go and pay them to install it?? as in, what procedure? Is there a max torque you can put on it?

kerry · #7 03-15-2008, 07:30 PM

I think there are stories of 6 ft cheater bars used to get it loose.

Jetmugg · #8 03-15-2008, 07:46 PM

I did this job on my '80 300SD a few years back. That plug was the tightest thing I have ever been able to get loose on anything.

Forget about the type that goes on a 1/2 drive ratchet. You will break the socket, ratchet, or adapter before the plug comes out.

Get the regular L shaped Allen Wrench and a good stout pipe about 6 feet long, and a strong helper (friend). We did mine from underneath, with the car on a lift. Two guys pulling for all we were worth on the end of a 6 foot pipe before it finally broke loose. I thought the pipe was going to break first.

I am not kidding, those plugs are EXTREMELY difficult to remove.

Good Luck.

SteveM.

#9 03-15-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Daniels

I bought a block heater on ebay and want to install it now that I have intake and exhaust manifold off the engine. Where can I buy a 19mm/ 3/4 allen key?? I presume you'd need one you can use with a 1/2 inch breaker bar?
Anyone installed one before? and do you use teflon or an o-ring to prevent coolant-leaks?

There are many options for using a 19mm allen. The back end of a 5/8 spark plug socket is 19mm. There is a tool used to spread the manifold apart on GM small blocks that is a perfect fit for the 19mm "socket". This is what I used and it worked like a charm. I gained access from above without removing the manifold (many will swear that you have to). Make no mistake though, this will be very difficult to remove and will require some sort of extension on a breaker bar. If you want more detailed directions of how I did it or more info on the 19mm tool used feel free to PM me.

kerry · #10 03-15-2008, 08:33 PM

I would shy away from trying to get it out because of my experiences with tight plugs in cast iron. When I bought my house, it had hot water radiators. The house had been abandoned and left in 25 below zero without heat. Most of the radiators had cracked. Most were only cracked in one or two sections. Since I was poor, I decided to disassemble the radiators and reassemble new ones out of the good sections. The sections were held together with opposite threaded nipples. These nipples had not been moved since 1910 or so. I had a tool which fit the nipples, a 3' pipe wrench and a 5' cheater pipe. I'd wedge a 6' prybar into the radiator working opposite to the wrench and my wife would lay on the end of it. I'd put the wrench and cheater on the nipple, climb a 6' step ladder and jump on the wrench. I'd do this about 20 times for each radiator. I was able to disassemble them all using this method. But close inspection of the threaded ends of each section showed that there were stress cracks in them radiating out from the center of the threads. Maybe 20 percent of the sections failed this way but I was still able to use the rest of the sections.
Getting such cracks in your engine block would be a poor way to end the day.

Ted Daniels · #11 03-15-2008, 09:44 PM

hey! I have seen a 19mm allen regular L shape at one of those 2nd hand tool places. Snap On I think it was. But doesn't that go sideways when putting force on it? it doesn't go in very far into that plug in the block you know... I would think it'll snap out with that much force.
how did mercedes install that plug then? with lots of red locktite? as a factory producing diesel-cars, why even install that plug when you can install a block heater right away for maybe 10 bucks more? strange. all them plugs are canadian made by the way. maybe mercedes never thought of installing a block heater. it doesn't get cold in germany much...

mobetta · #12 03-16-2008, 10:44 AM

most 123's n newer had block heaters. mine did not- it had a webasto in it.

that is long gone, but I added a 1000w circulation tank heater this fall. works great, less than $30.

Ted Daniels · #13 03-16-2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobetta

most 123's n newer had block heaters. mine did not- it had a webasto in it.

that is long gone, but I added a 1000w circulation tank heater this fall. works great, less than $30.

what is that? where does that go?

pawoSD · #14 03-16-2008, 01:41 PM

I agree on the risk to cracking the engine block trying to remove the plug. I went with a lower hose heater, which works well enough to aid the engine in starting when its -15F out....but I use it very rarely....maybe 2-3x a year at most. This year I only used it twice when it was super cold. Other days I forgot....but it still started without it. A healthy engine will start without needing a block heater if the starter/battery/glow plugs are in good shape.

4x4Wheels · #15 07-03-2008, 02:47 AM

pawoSD <<< I couldn't agree more there have been problems, If your engine is well maintained you wont be needing a block heater...

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