Block Heater Removal and Options
 

I am trying to remove the old, non-functioning, block heater from my 300SD. I simply can not get it to budge. I have tried heat and lots of force. I did a little research and think I would rather have a tank style heater. These connect to a low part of the coolant system and circulate warm water. Here are some examples, http://www.kimhotstart.com/products/small_tank_heaters.htm. I would appreciate any ideas on removing the old heater, or installation of a tank style heater. I would rather not install an oil pan heater. Thanks in advance.

P.S. I am new to this list and new to working on these cars. In the last few weeks I have done tons of work on the 300SD and can say that it is much more of a pleasure to work on than my Audi V8. When I have finished bringing her up to spec I will post some info.

I forgot to mention how much searches through the old posts has helped me. Lots of great information.

Coultl,

I used to put tank heaters on my older MB and other cars. They always worked good. They are available up to 1500 watts but 1000 watts is a better choice because you don't need as heavy connection wires.

The heaters with out a pump have to be mounted low and vertical because they are gravity flow. If you can't mount the heater low, get a heater with an internal pump.

The heater is connected to the block drain on the sideof the engine and "teed" into a heater hose on the top of the engine with heater hose. Usually the necessary connectors are included in the heater kit. Not rocket science to install the heater. You can leave you old heater in place.

Another advantage in preheating your engine is that you will get heat and defrost much quicker. I put a tank heater in a '54 Chrysler that defrosted the windshield before I even started the engine. The warm water circulated into the heater and warm air gravity flowed out the defroster vents.

Only disadvantage I can think of is if you need the heater to start the engine, and you are away from an electric outlet, you might not get started.

P E H

Coultl, the trick to a tank heater without a pump is to 1) mount the heater so that the cold water has to "fall down" into the heater, and 2) the "heated" water line that you tap into is higher than the "cold" water line. Or you can weld a nipple on one of the other frost plugs (not the block drain plug) and this becomes your low "cold" line. daBenz was like this before I took the heater out. No big deal to leave the old heater screwed in. As PEH implies: set the cab to defrost on high temperature and the heater will also defrost the windows.

Coulter - assuming you live in extreme cold environment..... you might also think about in-line fuel heater mounted on fender wall to improve performance.