Anyone know of a good place to get a portable (magnet mount or whatever) block heater? Do they work ok?

I'm thinking of an alternative to replacing the factory block heater right now - too cold outside to do that!

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Gil

2004 ML350
1984 300CD; Ivory (sold)

those magnet mount heaters are used on the oil pan to heat the oil. they will work to heat the oil but not the head, which the block heaters do . have you checked your cord to see if it is bad, instead of the in-block element?
you can get the mag mount heaters at wal mart, k mart or auto parts places. i use a 600 watt oil pan heater that is glued to my oil pan, they are actually made to be used on air craft motors to heat the oil. this is in addition to the block heater. car started at -30F last week.
JOHN M

I tried the cord route, then went ahead and had the whole thing replaced. No good. Got a magnet heater from JC whitney, but there isn't a big enough spot on the block to attach it. It said it was meant for the block, not the oil pan, but I know the kind you refer to.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I thought I was screwed, checked the extension cord, etc. Then found the socket was crappy - kind of delivers power half the time, does nothing the other half.

Anyway, with a new block heater, it should start like it would on a summer day in temps down to about 0, or so I'm told.

We'll see. I may have to do what you do.

Thanks

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Gil

2004 ML350
1984 300CD; Ivory (sold)

dumb idea buttttttt...... hows this for emergency block heater. Zip tie a magnetic or simular one toooo?? radiator or heater hose orrrrr?

Crazy/Dumb idea. I have heard of folk using a sterno(s) below the car with ??? (blankets) drapped around "the car" to block air flow under the car . Safest setup I heard was sterno underrrr a steel pan or griddle so no flame was ever directly exposed to the vehicle.

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"If anyone knows other lessons I need to learn, please tell me. I'm tired of learning them the hard way".
by JerryBro

The Glow Plug Wait: This waiting period is a moment of silence to pay honor to Rudolph Diesel. The longer you own your diesel the more honor you will give him". by SD Blue

My normal daily life; either SNAFUed- Situation Normal... All Fouled Up, or FUBARed- Fouled Up Beyond All Repair

62 UNIMOG Camper w/617 Turbo, 85 300SD daily driver- both powered by blended UCO fuels

Hello Everyone
Here are some ideas:
http://www.servicemate.com/catalog/categories.aspx?ParentID=160
Engine Block Heater

Circulation Heaters

Industrial Tank Heater

Hilton Industries Cordless Engine Heater
Propane Fired
Eliminated Costly Idling

Lower Radiator Hose Heaters
Installs in minutes in non-corrugated lower radiator hose.

Diesel Fuel Heaters

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ASE Master Mechanic
https://whunter.carrd.co/

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

https://www.boldegoist.com/

for customer.

Weather forecast for Denver CO and vicinity, Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Thursday’s high temperatures will only be reaching into the low to mid 40’s with a chance of a rain / snow mix in the afternoon.
Right now it looks like any snow accumulations from this system will be light.

Saturday’s storm system definitely looks to be more significant than the one coming tomorrow.
Temperatures on Saturday are going to be quite winter-like and staying in the 30’s with a chance of snow.
Sunday may warm up a bit but again, a chance of a rain / snow mix is possible.
How much snow the storm brings is going to depend on the timing of the system and the temperature when it arrives.

Getting to be the time when non-starting diesels are going to be cheap on Craigslist.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13