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  #1  
Old 12-17-2003, 11:01 PM
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Block/dipstick Heaters

Can anyone reccomend a heating device that I can use on my 85 300TD. My mechanic refuses to put in the stock block heater from Mercedes. He said he is concerned about cracking the block trying to get the plug out. Where can I find something that will work?

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  #2  
Old 12-17-2003, 11:22 PM
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It won't come out easy but he won't crack the block getting it out.
Go to the dealer if you have to , but IMHO the block heater is the way to go.
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  #3  
Old 12-17-2003, 11:25 PM
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Unless the guy is a complete buffoon, there is no reason to crack the block.

Putting a block heater in is a relatively simple job and a block heater is much more effective than a dipstick heater.

Have it done it somewhere where the guy has more confidence in himself.

Phil
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  #4  
Old 12-17-2003, 11:25 PM
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Block heater, hands down. I heard they are a pain to do afterwards but it should be doable.
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  #5  
Old 12-17-2003, 11:50 PM
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Amen to all that has been said here....
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  #6  
Old 12-18-2003, 12:07 AM
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thanks for your input. I'll find someone else to install the block heater.
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  #7  
Old 12-18-2003, 08:17 AM
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I have one of these and it is easy to install (non-invasive!) and cheap ($60 w/ shipping)and it heats the engine from the bottom up - fast and for a relatively low power consumption

link to Proheat engine block heaters

-Tom
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  #8  
Old 12-18-2003, 08:40 AM
GoWolfpack
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Ok--so say you garage your car and it has a block heater. Pardonthe novice question, but I don't need to plug it in since the car is garaged each night? I also live in the South-we will only get a few days of really cold--like teens. Also, I don't drive the car when it's miserable outside, so on those really cold days-I'll drive something else.
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  #9  
Old 12-18-2003, 09:00 AM
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Quote:
Originally posted by aTOMic
I have one of these and it is easy to install (non-invasive!) and cheap ($60 w/ shipping)and it heats the engine from the bottom up - fast and for a relatively low power consumption

link to Proheat engine block heaters

-Tom
You're in Tenn. He's in NY... I'm wondering if that item will do the trick.

The reason I ask is I am also considering that same heater...

???
Pete
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  #10  
Old 12-18-2003, 09:15 AM
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How does that unit get installed???
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  #11  
Old 12-18-2003, 09:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally posted by shear2001
How does that unit get installed???

http://www.engineheaters.com/install.htm
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  #12  
Old 12-18-2003, 09:21 AM
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But do a good search on this topic, loads of people say that heating the OIL isn't the way to go... and that's why the "real" block heater is better... it heats the COOLANT -- not the oil. (at least I think that's it)

Pete
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  #13  
Old 12-18-2003, 09:24 AM
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Anyone thinking about or needing block heating needs to do a search... this has been well discussed...
but as a reminder.... you are needing the walls of the bore heated... and this item mentioned in this thread will not do that in a reasonable fashion...... you need a heater which addresses the water which surrounds the bores directly....
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  #14  
Old 12-18-2003, 10:48 AM
cwa cwa is offline
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engine heaters in Utah

I've always had an engine heater on my diesels. Its needed here in Utah for the winters.

The first four had a coolant heater in the lower radiator hose but the 300's had (have) a block heater. My current 300TD develops a very small coolant leak if the block heater is left running longer than about 3 hours but you only need about 90 minutes to really warm it up.

Anyone have any idea why I would get a leak from running the block heater but not from general use?
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  #15  
Old 12-18-2003, 10:51 AM
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My '83 has one in-line, in the lower radiator hose. Guess they decided not to mess with the block heater?

I ordered new hoses before I noticed this. Now I need to buy different lower hoses, i guess?

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