OK, I've searched for the last 20 minutes for the block heater on my '86 300SDL. It doesn't wanna be found! I've looked underneath the engine, inside the engine compartment on left, right, and in front and can't find the plug.
Were the block heaters optional on the SDL's? Anyone know where it's hiding? TIA.

Check behind the cover on the right side of your front bumper (it forms part of the "grille" on the lower part of the bumper cover.

If you open the hood and look straight down just behind the bumper, you can usually see part of the cord. I believe mine can be seen under the right headlight (looking from the center of the bumper -- you can't see straight down from above the headlight)

My '86 has it behind the tow hook cover, but it the end may have been moved there by the previous owner. I know for certain I can't see it from below but it isn't hard to find from above.

Neal

__________________
'83 300SD 335,000km (207k) mi SOLD
'87 560SL 163,000km (101k mi) SOLD
'86 300SDL 356,000km (220k mi) SOLD
'92 500SEL 250,000km (155k mi) SOLD
'90 300SL 140,000km (87k mi) SOLD
'01 S430 260,000km (161k mi) SOLD
'03 SL500 167,000km (104k mi) SOLD
'07 S550 4MATIC 235,000km (146k mi) SOLD
'07 GL320 CDI 4MATIC 348,000km (215k mi)
'13 GL350 BlueTec 4MATIC 170,000km (105k mi)
'14 SL550 72,000km (43k mi)

I saw just the tow hook while poking around down there. I'll check again later...at work now. Thanks Neal.