Who or what is Indy? Is it a chain??

Independent mechanic.

Louis.

Block heater cord unattached?
 

I have a block heater in my 123 engine. It came with the car.
I've plugged it in before and it doesn't seem to do any good at all

At the risk of sounding like a total dumbass for not checking myself, Is it true that the cord is there, by the radiator, but not hooked up when the car was sold new?

The car spent most of its life in North Carolina, where the block heater was rarely, if ever, used, so it's possible the dealer or whomever never bothered to check. I ordered a new cord from Fastlane just in case the old one got corroded or something. I don't know how often these things fail; it's a pretty simple device

-Gil

The block heaters definitely work so if you aren't noticing anything something is wrong. The wires may be corroded but remember you plug this in to 120Volt AC so if there's a short somewhere you'll sure as heck know it. You might want to get under the car and make sure the cord is connected properly at the heating element. If it is and it still doesn't heat then the heating element is probably bad. If so you'll need to remove the old one and replace it (see above for details).

Doh!
 

Yep. You were right, the wall socket was on the way out and power was sporadic. Still, I think the element was toast anyway, since I've had the car plugged in before and I noticed nothing.

I'll find out tomorrow if it actually does the trick, but I suspect that it will.

Thanks

I installed my cord the other day. The heater was located under the #5 exhaust manifold port and was covered by a twist-on plastic cap. I removed the cap, plugged in the cord, fished it through the suspension stuff (not in the way of any moving parts), and I was done. Oh yeah, the car had to be put up on ramps to get under it far enough. Simple enough.

It does a great job. The heat comes on after a few seconds of idling, compared to a few minutes of driving (without the block heater). :)

One thing I noticed is that I don't hear a pump running when the block heater is plugged in. On my 190D, I heard a pump start running as soon as I plugged it in. Curious.

Block Heater (?) on 1988 190D (W201) -- see pic
 

I drove the front wheels of my 1988 190D onto ramps and then I slid underneath the center of the engine compartment, then I moved maybe a foot toward the passenger side, and looked up to take this pic. I saw these two things on the passenger side of the engine block. Can anyone identify them? I want to install the cord, and also want to install a block heater (if one isn't already installed).

Your car has a block heater installed under that black plastic cap. You only need the cord and you are in business.

I just installed mine this weekend. One thing I cant seem to find is a dust cap for the male end of the cord. I have it tucked in behind the access panel in lower grille but would like to cap it off so the prongs dont get corroded. I have check with hardware stores, big box stores, etc. Any thoughts as to where I might find one.??