Magnetic Block Heater ??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tomm9298 · #1 12-20-2004, 04:56 PM

Has anyone ever used a magnetic block heater? This thing sounds nice and is priced right!!!

http://www.tractorpartsinc.com/magnetic_block_heaters_269_ctg.htm

Pete Burton · #2 12-20-2004, 05:04 PM

looks like a reasonable option, especially for those that would only use it sporadically. It won't heat like an immersed one, but it should help some if left long enough. Or you could use 2

tomm9298 · #3 12-20-2004, 05:46 PM

Does anyone know the ID (inside diameter) of the lower radiator hose for my 1984 300D Turbodiesel. I think I like the in line heater better.

boxscar · #4 12-20-2004, 07:09 PM

i tried one of these when my block heater was bad. it didn't heat much... waste of money for heating an engine by itself.

donbryce · #5 01-05-2005, 12:36 PM

I used one with great results, and the car (gone now, a '76 450SE) was a gas V8 that I ran for 10 years/winters in Canada, where mid winter temps often drop to - 20 Celcius ( -4 fahrenheit).
This was a typical magnet type heater that I attached to a 2' pole so in the evening, I'd reach under and 'stick' it to the oilpan, then plug it in to a timer.
It would come on at 5:00AM for my usual trip to the office at 8:00AM, when I'd remove it.
I still have it, but my winter car is a 6 cylinder Mazda 929 that starts up no matter what the temp is.

tenknots · #6 01-06-2005, 10:23 AM

The ID of the lower radiator hose on my 300SD is inch and a half. I'm thinking of buying a lower radiator hose heater since my block heater is TU. Anyone tried one?

Palangi · #7 01-12-2005, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomm9298

Does anyone know the ID (inside diameter) of the lower radiator hose for my 1984 300D Turbodiesel. I think I like the in line heater better.

On a 240D, it is 35mm, which means a 1 1/4 hose heater would be loosy goosy. A 1 1/2 inch model would be a snug fit. I imagine 300D is the same size.

tenknots · #8 01-13-2005, 08:10 AM

I just tried to remove a defective block heater and install a new one with no success - there is just no room to swing anything and that puppy is on there tight!

So I bought an in-line lower radiator hose heater for $25 and installed it in 20 minutes. It's not my first choice - I don't like thinking about the element breaking off and getting sucked into the water pump at speed - but Hans is first and foremost a safe and economical commuter, (I'm sure the original owner who paid 40 large for him would see the irony that the car plays second fiddle to 2 old Volvo 240s) and sacrifices have to be made.

It's going to be 15 here on Sunday, so I'll see how effective it is. The last 15 degree day, Hans did not start until it warmed a bit.

donbryce · #9 01-13-2005, 10:03 AM

I would think that you will also get the benefit of interior heat too, since these things warm up the coolant. Not sure how to set the automatic climate controls, if you have them, so that the little pump inside the heater unit (if it has one in addition to the heating element?) will circulate the hot coolant through the heater core. Or would it just stay in the block?

tenknots · #10 01-18-2005, 07:31 AM

A follow up on the effectiveness of the lower radiator hose heater I installed. This am it was 15 or 19 depending on which station you believe. The 600 watt heater was plugged in for 3 hours with a timer. Before I started the car, I felt the upper and lower radiator hoses - definately very warm. The valve cover was cool, but much warmer than the ambient air. After about 20 seconds of glow plug, it fired up as if it were about 50 degrees outside. The heater came on about 1 minute earlier also. A success!

The last cold snap we had it was the exact same temp and the car would not start. I resorted to jumping it after it warmed a bit. All conditions were the same - car sat overnight after having been driven 65 miles.

I got the heater at Autozone for $25 (1 3/8" size - just a bit too large). I ordered a new blockheater, but could not get the old one out. The hose heater took 20 minutes to install and a half gallon of coolant.

deeph8 · #11 01-18-2005, 09:27 AM

The prior owner of my 300d installed a hose heater in the UPPER radiator hose. Would be a whole lot better in the bottom, but it still helps. When it is really cold I supplement it with an old magnetic heater stuck to the oil pan. Nice thing about the benz is that the oil pan is steel. Many newer cars (volvo, saab, etc.) use aluminum.