Mine was still bright and shiney. Like it had never been opened and the cap had been sealed up tight.

I wondered about how to tell if it was working also, until I heard the hissing sound after a minutes or so. I love the plug!

It only takes a couple of hours to heat up the engine, especially if it is in the garage. I have mine on a timer in the winter.

The other thing I do is loop the cord through the steering wheel. It is hard to forget to unplug it that way!

-Jim

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1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

I have mine on a timer too, but it's the one on my truck. Both vehicles are in a 45 degree garage so I only plug it in so I can have heat right away. The manifold heat only comes on for a couple seconds also.

Chris

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

Damn, thats a nice setup with the retaining ring and all. Where did you end up getting it? I got mine but it didnt come with the retaining ring.

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Dennis
2006 E320 CDI Black/Black Leather. Nav, HTD Seats HK stereo 32000 miles.
2000 VW Passat 1.8t 300,000 miles as of Dec 09, 2009 original owner
1997 E300d Silver 300,000 miles As of Jan 05, 2010
3rd owner SOLD

I too had tears from the fine documentation, and I propose and new standard of job time spec'ing. Instead of hours labor, I propose we rate jobs by beers. For example, as our fearless Chris W. has mentioned, putting the electric cord on the heater is a one beer job. Changing the oil is a 1 beer job.

Apparently putting in the element is a 12 pack job. 6 for while doing to job, and 6 for cussing and telling the story afterwards.... Is that about right Brandon314159

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1983 240D Silver/Blue "Sadie", unknown miles. 100k miles on WVO single tank, converted to 2 tank about 10k miles ago, FPHE, Injector Heaters, Aux Fuel pump. Alcohol/Water injection. Frantz oil bypass filter
1992 300D 2.5 Turbo Green/Tan "Jade" 267K miles Stock.
1992 300D 2.5 tan/tan "Rocky" on 2 tank WVO. Pressure actuated Turbo "rat's nest" surgery completed. 197k miles

The heater block is the cat's meow for cold weather starting. We have been plugging in for 3 hours and she starts right up in 20-30 deg mornings.