My Engine Block Heater install

[Rangerdavid]

Hi all !!

Yesterday I met FireEngineer, his wife and son as they traveled through this part of the mountains on their way to Durham, NC to meet Galaxee and her husband. They got here about lunch time and we went out for pizza... enough to make a guy from North Carolina nervous when ya take out folks from Chicago for pizza, but we all had a good time.

Then Wayne and Rich (his son) got quickly to work on what I believe was his 17th EBH install. It took about 30 minutes from start to finish, with no trouble for them at all. We had a relatively warm day yesterday for the install, but this morning we had 16 degrees and snow, and I couldn't wait to go out and drive the Prius! And it DID make a difference, significant difference in the first two five minute bars!! So even in 18 degree weather (by that time) on a fairly short drive to just test it out, I went up from 49.9 to 50.1 mpg. and that was at 200 miles on the second tank without reseting the mpg!! Not bad, huh???

Here are a few pics of Wayne and Rich doing the install. BTW, Rich will be old enough to drive shortly, and I understand may be a future "next gen" Prius owner!! Very cool ya'll !!

Thanks to FireEngineer and Richard, and the wife (who waited very patiently) and then they headed down the mountain towards the flat lands. Safe trip to all!!

David

Here's Wayne under the car after installing the EBH, he's running the wire to the grill
[attachmentid=6769]

Rich helping to fish the plug through my grill, a little tighter squeeze because mine doesn't have the fog lights.
[attachmentid=6770]

Wayne re-assembling the fairing underneath
[attachmentid=6771]

Wayne and Richard after another successful EBH install
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THANKS GUYS!!

[TonyPSchaefer]

That Wayne. I'll tell you what, he will drive across the country to help another Prius driver. Or at least stop in if he happens to be driving by.

Rich is a really good guy. I met him at Hybridfest last year. Smart and with a good head on his shoulders. I'm sure Wayne and Teresa get a different view and are wondering how I might have confused their son with someone else.

Was the grill blocked up before Wayne got there or did he insist on running out and buying the foam before starting the heater install?

[galaxee]

wayne is truly the engine block heater master! glad to know you're set there, rangerdavid

we had a great time meeting wayne, teresa and richard yesterday. have a safe trip back, guys!

[JimboK]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rangerdavid @ Mar 4 2007, 12:32 PM) [snapback]399916[/snapback]</div>

Then Wayne and Rich (his son) got quickly to work on what I believe was his 17th EBH install.[/b]

He's up to 18 now. He stopped here a while ago to do mine.

When I told my fiancee of this arrangement a few days ago, her response was along the lines of: "Let me make sure I understand this. This is some guy you met on the internet. You've never seen or talked to him. He's driving to the East Coast from Chicago. To install some part on your car to help you get better gas mileage. And not charge you. All because he wants to help you." My initial response was along the lines of: "Yes. Is there a problem?" After I explained things she was still skeptical. Understandably, I guess.

Tony, my grill is already blocked, so we had no need to make a hurried trip to Lowe's.

Galaxee, I understand he helped you reduce your old parts inventory.

I echo David's thanks, not only to Wayne but also to his family. Teresa looked pretty uncomfortable with her bum foot, but absolutely no complaints. Three cheers for the three road warriors!

[Rangerdavid]

Yeah, I already had my front grill blocked Tony, but now with the EBH, I'm ready for anything!!! well, almost anything

I second the three cheers for Wayne, Rich, and Teresa!! Really great folks....

[TonyPSchaefer]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Mar 4 2007, 03:24 PM) [snapback]399990[/snapback]</div>

. . ."Let me make sure I understand this. This is some guy you met on the internet. You've never seen or talked to him. He's driving to the East Coast from Chicago. To install some part on your car to help you get better gas mileage. And not charge you. All because he wants to help you.". . .[/b]

Trust me, after two years and 5,000 posts she won't even bat an eye.

[cireecnop1]

I cant tell by the pictures but, is this EBH the same as a factory one? or is it just something the gets warm and sits in front of the radiator?

[dmckinstry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TomorrowMatters @ Mar 5 2007, 03:18 AM) [snapback]400223[/snapback]</div>

I cant tell by the pictures but, is this EBH the same as a factory one? or is it just something the gets warm and sits in front of the radiator?
[/b]

It is one that comes from Toyota (at least through dealers in Canada), and it fits into a milled (or drilled) existing hole in the block. I.e., I guess it comes factory installed in some locations, but apparently not in th U.S.

Dave M.

[Rangerdavid]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Mar 5 2007, 08:36 AM) [snapback]400254[/snapback]</div>

It is one that comes from Toyota (at least through dealers in Canada), and it fits into a milled (or drilled) existing hole in the block. I.e., I guess it comes factory installed in some locations, but apparently not in th U.S.

Dave M.
[/b]

Yes, Dave is correct, it is a genuine Toyota part, and does come installed as factory equipment in many "colder" climates. The box mine came in said "Toyota Canada" on it, and I ordered it through Jesse at Metro Toyota on a group buy here on PriusChat.

[FireEngineer]

Just got in at 7:00 AM from the "Mid-Atlantic engine block heater install trip". Great to meet everyone, just wish we could have spent more time but the cat, ferrets and...oh, my daughter were expecting us home.

Almost 1,900 miles of driving in two days. The Prius performed beautifully. Round trip used 3.5 tanks of gas. Mountain driving was fun, the Kentucky and North Carolina portions returned about 55 MPG and a lot of green SOC staying off the Interstates. Lost some of that in Virginia which was more open and the wind was really whipping. Really tanked the MPG into the low 40's going home through Virginia and West Virginia since we were more concerned about time than MPG.

Anyone else need a block heater installed, maybe somewhere closer like within 40 miles due north in a far northern Chicago suburb .

I think I'll go to bed.

Wayne