So I figured out how to install my block heater

[kenkneeb]

Originally posted by Frank Hudon@Nov 2 2005, 12:36 PM
Evan quit that!

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Got It, Got It and Got It! So sorry for the time lag in read, post, reply etc.

I'm still new here and learning the squiggles and wiggles of board nav!

Thanks again!

Ken

[hdrygas]

I have to say that on 2 week of AM's at moderate temps (mid 40'sF to low 50"s it is hard to know because the cars outside temp gage is thrown off) the car starts off and 137 on start up according to the ScanGage, this is morning after morning. By the time I back up it is 110 to 120 that is a few seconds. This is in a covered closed garage that is opened after the block heater is disconnected and the hood closed. The inverter and the engine feels warm to the touch everywhere before I close the hood. I get in to the car start it open the door and back up. The car then drops to the 110 to 120 range and then rapidly rises. It is in the 130F to 140 in less than 2 min. At the entrance to the main road in 1-2 Min it is at 150+ and is in S4. The first little bit is a up hill to 38 mph after which I am in glide on my new rout. My last tank on this rout is just > 59 mpg on winter gas in moderate temps of the PNW. The coolant dump and rise with the block heater is a clear phenomenon at moderate temps, we shall see how it goes as the temps drop, but we will rarely get the kinds of temps you see in the North, Northeast and Midwest.

[efusco]

Todays EBH report:
142 F upon entering "READY" (~3 hour warm-up time with my fancy new digital timer)
Drop to 124 F upon exiting EV mode and started rebounding within 10 seconds (literally)

Within 1/2 mile was at 160 F and S4 and was able to enter EV mode.

OAT was about 51 degrees, but I follow a proceedure much like Hdrygas--car kept in closed garage--not actually heated but definately stays warm passively from the house (I think the car said 63 degrees for outside temp when I started up. It does get cool/cold in the garage in the deeper winter so it'll be interesting to see how well the EBH heats the engine block/inverter on those days.

[ken1784]

Originally posted by efusco@Nov 3 2005, 11:38 PM
Todays EBH report:

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Hi Evan,

Thank you for your nice report.

Would like to see some pictures showing the difference between with the EBH and without the EBH on consumption screen.

I think the consumption screen shows about 25 MPG at the first 5 min without the EBH, and I would like to see the mileage numbers with the EBH.

Thanks in advance,
Ken@Japan

[Frank Hudon]

normally I see 5.5 Liters per hundred Km with block heater and 8 per hundred without and an OAT of 9C

[efusco]

Originally posted by ken1784@Nov 3 2005, 11:32 AM
Hi Evan,

Thank you for your nice report.

Would like to see some pictures showing the difference between with the EBH and without the EBH on consumption screen.

I think the consumption screen shows about 25 MPG at the first 5 min without the EBH, and I would like to see the mileage numbers with the EBH.

Thanks in advance,
Ken@Japan

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I think it would be a more dramatic difference when the weather is colder. I've managed to learn to keep my first 5 minute mileage in the 35-45mpg range in moderate to warm weather. The EBH has definately helped that in the cooler weather I've had since installing (just few days actually). But now we're having near record warm weather (high 70s approaching 80 degrees!) so the difference wouldn't be great. If I have a chance I'll drive the car with EBH pre-warming one 20 degree morning and take a photo of my commute Consumption screen, then I'll do the same the next day without the EBH pre-heat.

[Frank Hudon]

I'd offer that, only if he kicked in some money to compensate for the decreased mileage

[dreichla]

Let me offer my thanks to all under this thread as I too untertook the major arm abrasion task of installing the block heater.

I would like to appologize to my car Dora for all of the colorful names I called her.

I would also like to appologize to my neighbors for my articulate and precise cussing.

My recommendations . . .

1. Squirt the silicone in the hole first. I mistakenly followed the directions, and proceeded to get 99% of the goop all over the engine block. I think what I will do is to purchase some more silicone goop, pull the assembly out slightly, and try to cram as much as I can in the hole sides.

2. Find someone whos arms are not not built like Arnold Schwarzenegger's. I'm not saying mine are as big as his, but it sure is a difficult and contorted fit. Maybe Rubberman might be a good choice. After reading Evan's rant, I thought to myself, how difficult could this be? Well, he's 100% correct. I'm sure coming down from the top is the correct way - but I felt unsure of myself to start dismantling things in order to gain access.

3. Plug the cable in after the heater is in the engine block. The instructions state to plug the cord into the heater first - I'm not so sure of that. I ended up putting the heater in the hole loosely and then plugging it in (the plug angle aligned with the clip so it was easy to line it up.) Finally, I snapped it in place. It seemed to me, as I tried to install the heater with the plug already in, that the overall length was too long and made the angle difficult to insert it (It may have also been a function of slippery goop and the fact that my hand was in a vertical position for 15 minutes!)

The next step:

My next step is to program my house smart system to provide power to the outlet in the garage. My thinking is to possibly tie the outside air temperature probe to the programming, thus dynamically changing the length of time the heater is powered.

[kenkneeb]

My recommendations . . .
I'm sure coming down from the top is the correct way - but I felt unsure of myself to start dismantling things in order to gain access.

dreichla, love the sentiment and the articulation of angst and satisfaction you painfully achieved at the end of the 'block heater tunnel'. My day of reckoning is tomorrow...

One question, when you mentioned:

'I'm sure coming down from the top is the correct way - but I felt unsure of myself to start dismantling things in order to gain access."

were you refering to the attempt at installing the block heater from the top of the engine compartment? That's what the tech at ToyotaDepot in Langley BC mentioned to Steve, the parts guy, when I asked for any tips or tricks for the install. Steve didn't mention and I didn't know to ask whether or not "Dismantling Things" were required in order to gain access for the 'top down' approach. But after looking in the engine compartment, OYE, sure seems like "Somethins Got To Go!"

Please advise as I am bringing my Prius in tomorrow to have my tire guy put it up on his lift so that I can hopefully snake the block heater into its tubular resting place.

Thanks,

All the best,

Ken

[Frank Hudon]

from the top you will have to remove the relay box for sure, and having little arms will help a lot. After finding the hole where it goes into, take the heater and coat with silcone grease put it down back and slide into the hole and clip it in. Then hook up the cable and snake it out to the front of the engine compartment. A long tall skinny kid would be an asset. Mind you most are no where to be seen when needed.
Edited: note that working on the ICE when it's cold is a definate advantage as well