engine block heater - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

minsk · #1 01-03-2014, 10:30 AM

ok its 11° here in pittsburgh.
mathilda doesnt want to start.
shes start fine in 20+ weather but not this mind numbing temp.
what is the best block heater to get.
i hear tell of magnetic ones.
did a search on fleabay nothing came up.

minsk
1982 300d

Simpler=Better · #2 01-03-2014, 11:04 AM

A lower radiator hose heater is the easiest to install and works well (make sure the wind doesn't cool the car again)

In a pinch a 100W lightbulb under the hood and a blanket works too

minsk · #3 01-03-2014, 11:21 AM

thanx simpler,
i rad diesel giants thread...that may be the way ill go.
i think my battery might be kaput also

whats the best battery one can buy for 1982 300d in these modern days...
i hear johnson controls is the way to go for battery purchasing

Zacharias · #4 01-03-2014, 11:27 AM

I recommend you avoid the Kats brand of lower rad hose heater if at all possible. Lots of reviews on them saying the last between 1-3 months.

Try to get the ZeroStart brand.

Magnetic heaters are better than nothing but are far inferior to a block heater and not as effective as a coolant heater. And the most widely distributed brand seems to be Kats....

You may have to do some looking. A cold snap is NOT the best time to be shopping for any auxiliary heating unit.

Hint: try Amazon. The zerostart number should be 32003 (that is what I installed on my 300d, you need a 1.5 inch model).

minsk · #5 01-03-2014, 11:31 AM

zach

exactly...
i think it might actually be my 5 year old battery causing the starting whoas,
not a block heater... my freshly trickle charged battery fired mathilda right up in 15° weather

minsk

Zacharias · #6 01-03-2014, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minsk

i think it might actually be my 5 year old battery causing the starting whoas,
not a block heater... my freshly trickle charged battery fired mathilda right up in 15° weather

The battery may not be helping, but when you get to the temp you have today, valve adjustment, health/age of glowplugs and having dino versus synthetic oil in the crankcase are all factors in play as well. (The others are absolute needs, the synthetic is a 'nice to have' where you are.)

Having some heat in the motor helps things along greatly, if any of what I mentioned is not 90 pct or better.

resto108 · #7 01-03-2014, 01:31 PM

Whats wrong with the original block heater? My OM617 needs to be plugged in below 10 if I want it to start.

uberwasser · #8 01-03-2014, 01:43 PM

Not all were equipped with a block heater. It was a dealer installed option. Many cars sold in warmer climates didn't get the option.

aieeegrunt · #9 01-03-2014, 02:52 PM

Positioning a hair dryer in the intake when you are trying to start can also be effective.

Graham · #10 01-03-2014, 05:09 PM

Installing a block heater is not a job to be taken lightly in any weather. It is getting the block plug out that is difficult. I think there is a thread here somewhere about that.

Magnetic may not be as good as block heater, but they do work. Most are 200W. I need a new cord for my 300D block heater and have done for about 10 years. Reason being, I just use the magnetic heater. One advantage of magnetic unit, is that it self removes itself if I forget to remove it before backing out of garage

Regarding coolant hose heaters - My 2014 GLK250 came from factory with one as standard equipment. MB must think they work. But as mentioned in another thread, I see no way they can work with the thermostat arrangement found on our 123/126's. They would just heat the coolant in the hose.

Just being in unheated garage is generally enough for my car. It has started fine without heater even in this frigid weather.

charmalu · #11 01-06-2014, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

Installing a block heater is not a job to be taken lightly in any weather. It is getting the block plug out that is difficult. I think there is a thread here somewhere about that.

Magnetic may not be as good as block heater, but they do work. Most are 200W. I need a new cord for my 300D block heater and have done for about 10 years. Reason being, I just use the magnetic heater. One advantage of magnetic unit, is that it self removes itself if I forget to remove it before backing out of garage

Regarding coolant hose heaters - My 2014 GLK250 came from factory with one as standard equipment. MB must think they work.

Just being in unheated garage is generally enough for my car. It has started fine without heater even in this frigid weather.

Is this the thread you were thinking of?

THE Definitive Block Heater Coolant Plug Removal Thread

This is the Wiki on it.
PeachPartsWiki: Block Heater Removal

Charlie

Graham · #12 01-07-2014, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

Is this the thread you were thinking of?

Charlie

That's the one. Seems like removing engine should be first step!

BTW, I edited my previous post regarding rad hose heaters:

Quote:

as mentioned in another thread, I see no way they (hose heaters) can work with the thermostat arrangement found on our 123/126's. They would just heat the coolant in the hose.

I sent an email about this to Diesel Giant (who sell hose heaters), but no reply yet.

Diesel911 · #13 01-03-2014, 06:02 PM

If you decide to purchase a Block Heater that goes into the Block some people have found that the Heater Element with threads is too small for the Threaded Hole in the Block.
There is threaded adapter Sleeve for that but it is often not sold separately.

I looked for the Block Heater on My Car and I was not able to see it anywhere and I thought it did not have one. About 2 years after that I found the Block Heater Cord tied up and shoved way up inside between the Radiator and the Front Sheet Metal.

I plugged it in and it worked.

I did not get a good look at the location of the Block Heater till I removed My Manifolds and Turbocharger.

minsk · #14 01-06-2014, 03:34 PM

so it turned out i had a poopy battery.
got a new one from autozone H8-AGM.
$165.00 ugh
it was 5° here today.
she fired right up no issues.
wweeeee.

now tho pesky power locks

EDIT: no problem starting at -2° also. god, i hate the cold weather tho.

dubadxx · #15 01-08-2014, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minsk

so it turned out i had a poopy battery.
got a new one from autozone H8-AGM.
$165.00 ugh
it was 5° here today.
she fired right up no issues.
wweeeee.

now tho pesky power locks

EDIT: no problem starting at -2° also. god, i hate the cold weather tho.

Got the Bosch 49-850B at PepBoys, out the door for $98.36. 20% off online order minus another $15 core charge. 36 mos free replacement, etc.
Still need to get my lower rad heater installed. Should've had my shop do it last week when I had the valves adjusted and my oil leaks fixed.
I still need a decent starter and winter oil. I diluted the Rotella 15w40 with Marvel Mystery Oil and it seems to thin it out. Still getting a long, hard start below zero, afraid it's going to kill the starter. Tooo cold to check glows, but they were changed in '09, prolly a couple are dead.
This is the '84 300d I had shipped to me in Cincinnati from Portland, OR back in sept.