With winter looming, I am considering a rad hose type coolant heater. I know I can buy one through Diesel Giant for $80 +shipping, but I can also get one from the local TSC for about $40.

Before I go shopping, does anyone know what the ID of the lower rad hose on a 1981 240D is?

For those wonder what I'm talking about, this is the heater type: "HEATER F/1 1/2""LOWER RADIATO"

http://www.dieselgiant.com/coolingsystem.htm#Block Heater Kit

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1981 240 D in the Toronto Area
Ivory with one black fender

Not all rad hoses are the same diameter end to end so be sure to measure the OD where you want to cut. Is the lower hose more than 3 years old or oil soaked? Consider replacing the hose. ( and at that point you will have a new sample to measure )

I think mine was 1 1/2". The upper was smaller and I think I remember that the two ends were different sizes as I had to force it over the lower (rad) connector while the engine end fit nicely. Of course, the radiator is for a Chevy C/K series truck of some sort so all bets are off!

Dan

I thought that for $80 DieselGiant sold you a new hose with the heater. If he is charging just $80 for the heater, you can get one elsewhere for under half that. I paid $29 on eVilBay.

In any event, there was some debate last winter on how effective those heaters are. I do have one installed on my car, but the consensus seems to be that you don't get much benefit on the OM617 because the design of the thermostat (where it's placed) means not as much coolant is being heated, compared to other cars.

If you buy one, look for a zerostart brand unit. The other brand that is more common, Kal's or something like that, has a dismal record (usually last under three months, based on many many bad reviews on Amazon and elsewhere).

It's 1 1/2' for the heater, by the way, which isn't a slip-on fit - you have to work it a bit.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Thanks guys. I'll head out shopping soon.

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1981 240 D in the Toronto Area
Ivory with one black fender

With my W123 diesels (240d, NA 300TD) I'd like to mention that the lower radiator hose goes from the bottom of the radiator to the thermostat housing - not the waterpump or engine-block.
Has anyone here tried a radiator hose heater in one of these engines, and can report on it's effectivness?

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

Personally, I'd get the heater hose 5/8" variety, because it actually goes into the block. The lower rad design, mostly just heats the radiator...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Last night I got under the car and gave the lower hose a squeeze. I normally run a little hot (about 2 needlewidths above the 80 mark) and I wonder if the hose is collapsing a little as I drive.

I took a closer look at Diesel Giant's site and it looks like he does include the hose in his kit. May be worth going down that road. Right now I might have bigger fish to fry though. This may have to wait.

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1981 240 D in the Toronto Area
Ivory with one black fender