Well, I was poking around the engine bay when I noticed it had a three-pring wire coming out of it. Searched this forum and discovered hey, its a block heater! So although its only about 5 degrees at night here in Metro Vancouver, I thought, well, what the heck, give it a try. Maybe save me some fuel so that I don't have to start up and let her warm up for the 15 minutes that I usually do.

Well, short story is, cranked her up this morning and it seems like the heater wasn't working. The engine was stone cold (yep she starts up stone cold with usually just one crank) and cold air blew out of the vents while I gingerly drove for 10 minutes at 60 kmh. Yep, wasn't too popular on the roads

So I wonder, can these things go bad? If one is bad, can it be replaced? I would think its a better solution than warming up the car for 10 to 15 minutes every morning

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1987 300TD
1984 300D
755,000 KM and going strong
BC Canada

Heater can go bad but don't condemn the heater before checking out the integrity of the electrical cord.
If it needs to be replaced, a lower radiator hose heater is a better choice than trying to the get the old heater out, in my opinion.

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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

Try measuring the resistance across the plug. Mine measures about 35 ohms (about 400W at 120V). If it reads infinite, make sure the other end of the wire is actually plugged into the block heater.

My wire on one of my diesels lost insulation, and grounded itself out. I just caught this last week when I was holding it and got a nicely cooked finger while plugging in!

I'd definitely say check wiring first.

Ben

Thanks guys! I have an multimeter at home and will check the resistance. I'm hopeless at math and would not have been able to figure out what it meant, but, thanks Craig, I'll see if I get 35 ohms resistance

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1987 300TD
1984 300D
755,000 KM and going strong
BC Canada

I had a block heater go bad on a 240D...It was a pain to replace it, but made all the difference when starting in cold weather.

Check the wiring first...if that's not the problem, I'd guess that it's the heater.

Hope this helps!
The Tenor Man

Math class:

V = IR

I = V/R

I = 120 V/35 Ohm

I= 3.4 Amp

P = VI

P = 120 V * 3.4 Amp

P = 411 W

Don't worry about it, you will probably get around 35 ohms (OK) or infinity (not OK). Let us know what you find.

I've had to replace the male plug end on a couple of the cords on my block heaters.

Always replaced them with the big industrial size plug, better to gasp when
you have big fat hands or gloves on.

I got O.L. Which more or less means, no circuit at all

Still, it might just be the plug. I'll cut that off tomorrow and check it again.

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1987 300TD
1984 300D
755,000 KM and going strong
BC Canada

No cutting. Unplug it from the block heater. Unscrew the collar and pull the plug out.

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Did you check your electical panel to make sure you did not trip a circuit breaker with a short in your wire? You may have a short and no current from the outlet.

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85 300D 75K Anthracite Grey 0-60 in 13 seconds **For Sale**
84 300D 333K Black (The Velveteen Rabbit) 0-60 in 14 seconds
00 Toyota Sienna 208K (Sold)
15 Subaru Outback 43K
11 Subaru Outback 67K
98 Ford Taurus 100K (Gertie - Was Grandma's - drove it to church and shopping - really) Daughter's car now.
30 Model A Ford 2 Door Sedan (Sold) 0-60 in . . . Never reached 60

"Well, short story is, cranked her up this morning and it seems like the heater wasn't working. The engine was stone cold (yep she starts up stone cold with usually just one crank) and cold air blew out of the vents while I gingerly drove for 10 minutes at 60 kmh. Yep, wasn't too popular on the roads "

Block heater just helps with startup, don't believe you can expect it to take the place of warming your engine to normal operating temp, thus warm air! If your car starts stone cold on one crank, a functioning block heater will help it to start in half a crank is all...

I use mine below 20degF and it makes a noticeable difference for starting but I still wait 5-10+ mins before starting out because I like my java to stay liquid and warm for the commute

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1969 220D "Berta" RIP
1982 300D turbo 250K

I think he's talking about the other end.

__________________
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

Even still, unplug it from the heater and check for continuity between the cord's circuits before you resort to cutting.