best type of block heater? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Tanksowner · #1 01-20-2011, 04:40 PM

I've been told that the radiator hose block heater is not the best way to keep an engine toasty overnight. Thoughts? (I'm not being sarcastic, fyi. I genuinely don't know what the best style of block heater is for the 300D)

josha37 · #2 01-20-2011, 05:24 PM

Whatever works best for you. They all have advantages and dis-advantages. What is best for one person will be inconvenient or in-effective for the next. If you wont the best, call your local mb parts department and order one. if you want the easiest get a magnetic style or hose style aftermarket.

aaa · #3 01-20-2011, 05:28 PM

It's better than nothing. Let me dig up the pic of my factory block heater tool...

On the other hand I stick to the factory one whenever I get the opportunity (engine being out).

kerry · #4 01-20-2011, 05:34 PM

Lower radiator hose heaters are working for me down to about 15 below zero F.

sjh · #5 01-20-2011, 05:40 PM

I've always found the units that actually attach to the lower block, usually through a circular opening about 35 to 40 mm in diameter as I recall, work best.

In my '81 300D N/A that went through a winter north of the 45th parallel in Michigan the unit was mounted on the passenger side, near the rear of the engine. It started (easily) at -10F.

josha37 · #6 01-20-2011, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr_SJH

I've always found the units that actually attach to the lower block, usually through a circular opening about 35 to 40 mm in diameter as I recall, work best.

In my '81 300D N/A that went through a winter north of the 45th parallel in Michigan the unit was mounted on the passenger side, near the rear of the engine. It started (easily) at -10F.

you mean a freeze plug? just like the factory ones?

sjh · #7 01-20-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josha37

you mean a freeze plug? just like the factory ones?

Yes, that's what it is.

Is that a factory installed unit?

I did not know that but it sure worked well.

latitude500 · #8 01-20-2011, 06:46 PM

I would be careful thinking about going into the freeze plug on our old cars.

I purchased a lower radiator hose heaters for my 87 300sdl and it works great. I have it on a timer that comes on 2-3 hours before I need to leave in the morning. What ever the outside temp is, it's 30 degrees warmer. And I left my car idle or about a minute or so and it's been working fine.
If I remember correctly it was under $70.00.
Worth every penny.

MNBenz · #9 01-20-2011, 07:46 PM

Here in Minnesota I use a block heater on my 300TD quite regularly in winter. Tonight is forecasted to be one of the coldest nights, weatherman said it could hit -36F!

My car has the original in the block heater and it works great, car fires right up in -20F weather. However, as the others have mentioned I think it might be near impossible to get the plug out and install when you don't have it already.

I had been hunting around for quite awhile and picked up a Webasto TSL17. I think that's the ideal solution when you are in cold weather a lot. They even have remotes that work up to half a mile away, google webasto telestart. My webasto is all plumbed in, just need to finish up the wiring soon. Probably have to start a thread because I'm not entirely sure how i should tap the fan blower. Here's a link to the stats on a webasto tsl 17-

http://www.navstore.com/webasto_tsl17_coolant_heater.aspx

leathermang · #10 01-20-2011, 09:36 PM

As long as it warms the engine some and does not leak... anything helps.
but clearly since it is the bores which need the heating the most .. the location of the factory block heater ... being in direct contact with the coolant around the bores... with no plumbing or thermostat to potentially impede even heat dispersion is most ideal.

kerry · #11 01-20-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBenz

Here in Minnesota I use a block heater on my 300TD quite regularly in winter. Tonight is forecasted to be one of the coldest nights, weatherman said it could hit -36F!

My car has the original in the block heater and it works great, car fires right up in -20F weather. However, as the others have mentioned I think it might be near impossible to get the plug out and install when you don't have it already.

I had been hunting around for quite awhile and picked up a Webasto TSL17. I think that's the ideal solution when you are in cold weather a lot. They even have remotes that work up to half a mile away, google webasto telestart. My webasto is all plumbed in, just need to finish up the wiring soon. Probably have to start a thread because I'm not entirely sure how i should tap the fan blower. Here's a link to the stats on a webasto tsl 17-

http://www.navstore.com/webasto_tsl17_coolant_heater.aspx

$3600 seems a tad pricey for an engine heater.

69shovlhed · #12 01-20-2011, 10:21 PM

i bought the factory block heater from worldpac for about $55.
i would look at my engine before i bought any aftermarket heater. yours might already have the stock heater, but the cord has been removed. also, after i bought the factory heater cause mine quit, i replaced only the cord and it works great again. adjusting my valves helped even more; i haven't used the block heater since then and it starts fine down to about 20°f.

MNBenz · #13 01-20-2011, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

$3600 seems a tad pricey for an engine heater.

ha! whoa didn't look how much they were selling it for. I got a quote from a local dealer for $1,800 installed when i first started looking. I ended up spending $600 on a used one, however you can now get a new one for $850 on Ebay. If you can't plug your car in and it's sub zero a you'll be real happy you have a webasto.