My next day off from work I am thinking about installing my block heater, my question now is when I install it, can I use channel locks, or would that maybe to harsh to use on the brass... The reason I am asking this is that I don't really feel like spending the money on wrenches that I might only use once, but I don't really have any channel locks, and need a few pairs...

Channel locks will absolutely not work. You will WISH you had used the proper tool after you make brass chips with your channel locks.

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83 M-B 300D- daily driver
83 240D gray market
2002 VW Jetta TDI- beater

Amen, or bust your already cold knuckles against cold hard metal...

You might get one in to a certain degree of tightness, but to get the plug out, you need serious tools.

In addition, there isn't much room up there.

I just replaced a burned out one which was significantly easier than taking the plug out first. Even so, I needed sockets (1 3/4) on a 1/2 or 3/4 drive with a slight extender for torque.

On one of my plugs I needed a 5 footer just to break the sucker lose.

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Hello Don
Only a 5 foot cheater bar, yours was really loose. LOL
I gave up on my plug; one inch breaker bar with 8 foot cheater, one inch impact gun and preheat of plug with torch, all failed.
Enough is enough, installed hose heater.
Oh, this was all done on a hoist over three days.