Block heater?????
 

I was going through some posts on block heater installation, and someone stated that most vehs. have the block heater installed already, they just don't have the electrical line connected. Does anyone know if thats true? I have a 85 300TDT and was quoted $300+ to install one. I've never checked to see if there is one. I was told its near the starter.

mercedes dealers would install the block heater free of charge during the first year of ownership. They included a coupon in the owners manual.
Those who live in cold climates mught have tken advantage of it. In california I have never seen a block heater on a benz. Depends on where you live. $300 seems like a bunch.

henry

I asked my indy about it, and it was about $200-250 labor, plus the heater which is about $50.

JMH

As with 99% of things on these cars, DIY, save a ton. Use a 3/4" hex wrench (fits the 19mm hex nice and tight - tighter than the "proper" 19mm) and then a cheater pipe (old, slightly bent M-cycle fork tubes work great, otherwise, use a half jack handle or a piece of 2" sch80 iron pipe).

To GET to it easily, you need to remove the intake and exhaust manifolds (inc. turbo, etc.), so pick up a turbo mounting gasket set (inc manifold gasket) before you dive in. Or you can try getting the plug out without removing anything. THEN remove the manifold.........

Good luck man, been there before.

not to difficult
 

The block heater is located on the passenger side of the engine block, tucked away up under the manifolds. I took out my old one because it wasnt working when I got the car, and installed a new one. I did this without removing manifolds or anything else, so you can do this, but access is tough. It is one of those situations where you barely have room for the swing arc of a wrench, so you have to do the routine of moving wrench a little, flipping the wrench, or using a couple of tools to advance the thing, etc. etc. There are two versions...the older one which is larger....larger diameter threads, which fit directly into the threaded hole in the block. The newer version has smaller diam. threaded portion, thus requiring a reducer ring to be installed into the block before the actual heater, which threads into the reducer (I'm not sure if the reducer ring comes with the block heater, or is already installed in the block with a plug). You need to get up in there and see what you have first, then order parts etc. etc. I installed the older larger version (which I had to order from MBZ), and I had to buy a very large socket to fit over it (I couldnt find metric for cheap, so I used a 1 13/16" from sears). Because of the large size of the socket, it was difficult to get it in due to limited access. I assume that the newer smaller version would be a little easier, except that I assume that the reducer ring would still have the same 1 13/16 size to deal with (unless it is already in the block). Im not sure of the details, but this is definitely doable by a DIYer. Well worth it....works great....when I go out to unplug in the morning before leaving for work, I can hear it sizzling in there, and the engine is warm to the touch only after about 3 hours (I have it on a timer...goes on about 4 am).

good luck

I've looked into the cost of installation of a block heater at the dealer and indy shops...the dealer topped out at $400 and the indy's were around $275-350. A good friend with an 84 300d was shocked at the price, he told me his only cost $100 to install, but I think the heater was already there and the mechanic just attached (or uncoiled) the cord. Worth taking a look...

My '85 (617 engine) had the heater installed as a free option when it was sold new (the car was sold/delivered in L.A. by the way, I have the records from new). The actual heating element needed to be installed by the dealer. My '87 (603 engine) had the heating element factory installed in the block and the dealer would supply and attach a cord for free if you asked for it within a year of purchase. Unless it was installed by a PO I doubt you have the heating element installed. As others have said they are not hard to install except that the plug in the block can be very hard to remove and sometimes the car needs to be well up on a lift to be able to get enough leverage. Shop around if you're going to have someone do it for you, you might find a not too busy mechanic who will do it pretty cheaply.

My '86 has the block heater even though it was a California, not a federal. It has never been used and still had the cap screwed on. It was my impression that they always came installed and the coupon would get you the power cord. The dealer would then take off the cap and plug in the cord.

I think the 603 engine had the heating element installed in all the engines(without the cord) but the 617 engine was usually shipped without it.

I have a heater for my '79 SD, but I can't find the plug! Granted it does leak like a sieve! Can anyone post a picture of the location? I have access to a lift, so that's not the problem.
Thanks
David

trouble shooting my block heater
 

Does anyone know the electrical resistance of a good block heater measured across the wires that power it? I would like to be able to check mine for continuity but would like to know how many ohms should I read.

electrical cord install on a 603
 

I just bought an 87 300SDL that was originally from Texas. Needless to say, the original owners didn't bother to have the electrical cord installed. I want to install the cord, even though it isn't essential to start the car (starts fine at 8°F). Do I just have to wire a cord to the terminals on the heater, or is there a special cord that you have to buy from the dealer?

I'm going to search, but I figured I'd post since this thread is already going. :)

You need a special cord that plugs onto the heating coil. Fastlane should have it.

Fastlane can sell you a block heater for about $75. An indy should charge 1 to 1 1/2 hr. labor to install, plus the cost of a coolant change.

Excellent, thank you.

edit: I just ordered it from Fast Lane. The part number is Z6003-28873 and it's on sale for $19.99 (regularly $27.99). :cool: