Is block heater cord no longer available - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shadetreemechan · #1 01-07-2017, 04:07 PM

I need one for my 85 TD and cannot seem to find one for sale anywhere. Even struck out on ebay.
Anyone have a source?
Thanks

shertex · #2 01-07-2017, 04:26 PM

********AZ has the heater with the cord....of course more expensive that way.

Rogviler · #3 01-07-2017, 05:05 PM

I thought they were fairly standard... When my heater quit working a few years ago I tried a different cord I had laying around which was from a universal one that was installed on a different car (not Mercedes). Turned out to be the heater itself, but the cords swapped. Went a different route with the heater. I'm pretty sure I threw the cords away, but I'll glance through the parts and see.

-Rog

funola · #4 01-07-2017, 05:14 PM

Get a cord from an old iron, hairdryer etc. and solder 2 female terminals (that fit the male pins of the heater) to the cord. Glob it with RTV so the connector pins can't come off, let it cure, strain relief the cord and you're done. Before globing with RTV, I'd check the heater resistance to make sure heater is good. Should be around 8 to 9 ohms.

ESchwab · #5 01-07-2017, 05:21 PM

I read on one of the sites that NAPA sells them for about half of what an MB dealer charges; my recollection is that NAPA charges 20 or 30 dollars

jay_bob · #6 01-07-2017, 06:39 PM

Correct, you can get the cord that will fit from NAPA.

Graham · #7 01-07-2017, 08:35 PM

One thing to check before buying is the shape of the plug on the heater itself. There were two designs. On one, here was a nut that secured the cord plug onto the heater. On the other, it is just a push fit. How do I know this? I have a block heater and I have a cord - But they don't match. I have tried cutting some of plug away and pushing into the heater, but it doesn't stay for long. Hard to get at too, so I just use a magnetic sump heater, if I need heat. Most of time car starts without (in unheated garage)

Seems you can get one here (push on type) http://tinyurl.com/zcnykl8

The original one on my 85 300D (still there, I think) is something like this:

The block heater on my replacement 82/3 engine needs one like this:

shadetreemechan · #8 01-07-2017, 09:21 PM

I have the push on type, and its the push on plug itself that is bad.
@graham, i found that link as well but it shows to be out of stock.
Napa only lists the screw on type, but it actually looks like it the pin location might be the same. Maybe a hack saw on the round plug could make it fit my rectangular hole.
I may try the dealer as well. Surely there is a limit to what they could charge for a cord?!

shadetreemechan · #9 01-07-2017, 09:25 PM

Just saw graham has tried the cord hack. It was 9 fareinheit this morning. The 300TD is too tired to do that without a block heater.
The 240, however, fired right up without a heater this AM.
I may just have to wait until it warms up to get the 300 going.

OM617YOTA · #10 01-07-2017, 09:33 PM

I have the block heater with the rectangle push-in cord myself. Cord from Napa pushes in, and will juuuuuuuuuust barely stay put. Block heater works, but rock the truck at all or look at it wrong and the cord pops out. I've never used it beyond testing, I don't trust it at all.

I went with a magnetic block heater. Good enough.

Graham · #11 01-07-2017, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadetreemechan

I have the push on type, and its the push on plug itself that is bad.
@graham, i found that link as well but it shows to be out of stock.
!

Sorry - I had not noticed that.

You can get the whole thing here fir $37 and they say it is OE:

http://tinyurl.com/hgq5kf4

Or even cheaper here from MB dealer: http://tinyurl.com/gmgrv6h

freesoul · #12 01-08-2017, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

Sorry - I had not noticed that.

You can get the whole thing here fir $37 and they say it is OE:

http://tinyurl.com/hgq5kf4

Or even cheaper here from MB dealer: http://tinyurl.com/gmgrv6h

wow thats good price for the whole thing! I am going to order, my car doesn't have one. I believe the location is passenger side towards the rear of motor?

Rogviler · #13 01-08-2017, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadetreemechan

It was 9 fareinheit this morning. The 300TD is too tired to do that without a block heater.

I would try Marvel Mystery Oil on it. My '85 wagon used to need to be plugged in below 40 or it wouldn't start. I used MMO and initially thought it didn't do much, but the car has been parked for awhile since it needs a battery and I needed to move it. Well, I grabbed the tiny battery from another car, glowed it once, crossed my fingers, and it fired right up. A friend (another wagon) had good results as well.

There's one method where you get it into the prechambers via the method of your choice and let it soak for awhile, but I did that last year and it didn't do nearly as much as putting it in the oil (instructions say replace a quart with it and that seemed to be about right). I ran it for a full oil change interval and then changed as normal. OMG!!!11, I know, but it totally worked and I'd do it again on another car. Grab the tissues and prepare for many "thoughts" and "feelings," though, as oil talk tends to bring out everyone's inner Oprah.

-Rog

jay_bob · #14 01-08-2017, 01:13 PM

Verify you don't have the heater element first. It will be on the passenger side near the rear of the block. It may have a screw on cap over it, so it at first looks like a drain fitting. But it will be further back than the actual drain fitting, which has a hose barb sticking out of it. Nearer to the #4/#5 cylinders.

If you truly do not have one, read this and then see how bad you want to install one:
THE Definitive Block Heater Coolant Plug Removal Thread

shadetreemechan · #15 01-08-2017, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay_bob

Verify you don't have the heater element first. It will be on the passenger side near the rear of the block. It may have a screw on cap over it, so it at first looks like a drain fitting. But it will be further back than the actual drain fitting, which has a hose barb sticking out of it. Nearer to the #4/#5 cylinders.
l

Oh i definitely have one. It has worked great for the 10 years we have owned the car, but last winter my wife loaned it out to a friend of hers while her car was in the shop. My wife suggested she just leave it plugged in to avoid starting issues.... and she did. Drove off with it still plugged into the cord. Being already 30 years old it kinda crumbled.

As for MMO, it might help, but this car has been this way for the last 150K miles, and it otherwise has no engine issues at 403K miles. I am not real sure I want to mess with it since I really only need the block heater a dozen times or so a winter. It will start fine till about 15, and needs heater after that.