Engine Block Heater Install - Did I do it right?

Green Hokie · 07-05-2007, 04:47 PM

Hello folks & happy Independence Day.

Got a little brave & decided to install my EBH this afternoon. May I ask those who have installed it from the bottom take a look at the following photos & let me know if I got it right?

This photo was taken while I was laying on the ground at about center of the engine compartment, with feet facing the front of the vehicle. The opening of the hole is on the left hand side (drivers side) but cannot be seen here. However, the red arrows inserted below kind of indicate where I believe the heating rod should sit.
[attachmentid=9442]

I also took some photos of where I ran the power cord. Anything wrong with my choice of location?
[attachmentid=9443]

[attachmentid=9444]

[attachmentid=9445]

JimboK · 07-05-2007, 05:08 PM

I applaud your ambitiousness!

I'll let others tell you whether you got the right location on the block, but the cable location is very close to where Wayne routed mine.

Good luck! I hope things are going well north of the James.

**efusco** · 07-05-2007, 06:07 PM

Looks like the right location. Did you feel it lock in, does it fit securely or is it loose?

Green Hokie · 07-05-2007, 07:03 PM

Thanks, Jim & Evan. The clip definitely locked in place and the tube fit like a glove in that hole... very secure with no movement at all.

I was anxious to test the result so I've been out joy riding, after plugging in the EBH for about 2 hours. To my surprise, I can't really say I noticed much of an increase in the mpg reading during the first 5 minutes. In fact, the instantaneous mpg readings were about where they usually were prior to the install. I have not driven my Prius since this past Tuesday evening, if that has anything to do with it.

Is this normal for summer weather? I think it was in the upper 80's today. Do I simply need run the EBH a little longer next time? BTW, I did confirm that the heating element itself is working properly, since I could definitely feel the heat from the engine block after plugging it in for those 2 hours.

hyo silver · 07-05-2007, 07:14 PM

The install looks great, and I think the results will be more noticeable in say...January.

Green Hokie · 07-05-2007, 08:25 PM

Thanks! I realize the real advantage/gain will come in the winter. However, I was expecting more than just a minor improvement during the first few minutes of driving, even in the summer months. Probably too early for me to draw any conclusions as to the EBH's effectiveness. Need more time with it. I'll plug it in for 3 hours tomorrow and see if that makes any difference.

JimboK · 07-05-2007, 09:46 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Green Hokie @ Jul 5 2007, 07:03 PM) [snapback]473722[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Is this normal for summer weather? [/b]

It depends on your driving conditions. If your first few minutes are at speeds where the ICE would run anyway, its impact is probably less. Where it may help there is getting you past S1 more quickly, so that when you give it some pedal it's not pulling almost exclusively from the battery.

On the other hand, if your speeds are slower and you have ICE-off opportunities, either naturally or induced by gliding, then you'll probably see more of an improvement.

Green Hokie · 07-05-2007, 10:12 PM

Thanks, Jim. I'll have to pay a little more attention to my readings during the first drive tomorrow morning, especially the first 5 minute bar. I had forgotten this is probably the better way of comparing before & after results of the EBH. This afternoon, I was simply observing instantaneous mpg readings during the first few minutes and never even bothered to check the first 5 minute bar.

FireEngineer · 07-06-2007, 12:21 AM

Good job! To make sure the block heater is working wait until your engine is cool, reach your hand up and touch the cylinder with the red arrow in the first photo and have someone plug in the heater. Within a minute you should feel the heat and it should be too hot to touch before 5 minutes.

3 hours is about a minimum for plug in. As was stated by Jim, if you have a slow drive start you'll see easy over 40 MPG the first five minutes. If your start is onto a fast road quickly, then block your upper grill to retain some of the heat you put in. If you have a ScanGauge or Can-view, check your starting temp, assuming an outside temp of 70F and a three hour pre-heat, you should be over 135F. That will drop, during the initial ICE warm-up of the exhaust cat's, by about 15F to 20F but will rebound quickly and you should reach stage 4 within the mile or less.

Also, it looks like you laid your cord over the top of the radiator support and dropped it down to the grill. Make sure you get some 1/2 inch plastic wire loom and cover the cord that is draped over the radiator support to prevent any abrasive action on the cord.

Wayne

Rangerdavid · 07-06-2007, 08:15 AM

I agree, plug it in for minimum of 3 hours for best effect. You will definately notice the most drastic difference in the colder months, but it helps during the summer as well, the difference is just not as drastic.

07-05-2007, 04:47 PM	#1
Green Hokie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 188 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: S Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Hello folks & happy Independence Day. Got a little brave & decided to install my EBH this afternoon. May I ask those who have installed it from the bottom take a look at the following photos & let me know if I got it right? This photo was taken while I was laying on the ground at about center of the engine compartment, with feet facing the front of the vehicle. The opening of the hole is on the left hand side (drivers side) but cannot be seen here. However, the red arrows inserted below kind of indicate where I believe the heating rod should sit. [attachmentid=9442] I also took some photos of where I ran the power cord. Anything wrong with my choice of location? [attachmentid=9443] [attachmentid=9444] [attachmentid=9445] Attached Thumbnails __________________ Pete 2007 Touring Pkg 3, Magnetic Gray Metallic 3M Ultrashield clear film on hood, front fenders, front bumper, side mirrors, headlights, foglights and top of rear bumper Tinted Windows (Huper Optik Ceramic-40 all around) Mud Guards OEM EV switch ScanGauge II Engine Block Heater Blocked Grill (upper & lower) Covercraft UVS100 sunshield Tire Pressure: 44/42 psi

07-06-2007, 12:21 AM	#9
FireEngineer Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: SW-Side of Chicago, IL Posts: 1,153 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 1 Thanked 48 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 12	Good job! To make sure the block heater is working wait until your engine is cool, reach your hand up and touch the cylinder with the red arrow in the first photo and have someone plug in the heater. Within a minute you should feel the heat and it should be too hot to touch before 5 minutes. 3 hours is about a minimum for plug in. As was stated by Jim, if you have a slow drive start you'll see easy over 40 MPG the first five minutes. If your start is onto a fast road quickly, then block your upper grill to retain some of the heat you put in. If you have a ScanGauge or Can-view, check your starting temp, assuming an outside temp of 70F and a three hour pre-heat, you should be over 135F. That will drop, during the initial ICE warm-up of the exhaust cat's, by about 15F to 20F but will rebound quickly and you should reach stage 4 within the mile or less. Also, it looks like you laid your cord over the top of the radiator support and dropped it down to the grill. Make sure you get some 1/2 inch plastic wire loom and cover the cord that is draped over the radiator support to prevent any abrasive action on the cord. Wayne __________________ 2010 Blue Ribbon Metallic Prius IV w/Sunroof-Solar-Navigation 2005 Salsa Red Package 6 (BC)-Retired 6/12/2009 w/89,989 miles Average MPG 54.5, Best tank MPG 80.1/932 miles 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette "Final 500" mini-van Free engine block heater install, just ask. 163 warmer Prius done to date. Including one very special 2010 Prius. Come join us at the ChicagoPriusGroup.

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07-05-2007, 05:08 PM	#2
JimboK One owner, low mileage Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 2,541 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 4 Thanked 81 Times in 63 Posts Friends: 6	I applaud your ambitiousness! I'll let others tell you whether you got the right location on the block, but the cable location is very close to where Wayne routed mine. Good luck! I hope things are going well north of the James.

07-05-2007, 06:07 PM	#3
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,222 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 245 Times in 145 Posts Friends: 37	Looks like the right location. Did you feel it lock in, does it fit securely or is it loose?

07-05-2007, 07:03 PM	#4
Green Hokie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 188 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: S Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Thanks, Jim & Evan. The clip definitely locked in place and the tube fit like a glove in that hole... very secure with no movement at all. I was anxious to test the result so I've been out joy riding, after plugging in the EBH for about 2 hours. To my surprise, I can't really say I noticed much of an increase in the mpg reading during the first 5 minutes. In fact, the instantaneous mpg readings were about where they usually were prior to the install. I have not driven my Prius since this past Tuesday evening, if that has anything to do with it. Is this normal for summer weather? I think it was in the upper 80's today. Do I simply need run the EBH a little longer next time? BTW, I did confirm that the heating element itself is working properly, since I could definitely feel the heat from the engine block after plugging it in for those 2 hours.

07-05-2007, 07:14 PM	#5
hyo silver awaaay Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 10,644 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: Base Thanks: 46 Thanked 145 Times in 102 Posts Friends: 63	The install looks great, and I think the results will be more noticeable in say...January.

07-05-2007, 08:25 PM	#6
Green Hokie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 188 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: S Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Thanks! I realize the real advantage/gain will come in the winter. However, I was expecting more than just a minor improvement during the first few minutes of driving, even in the summer months. Probably too early for me to draw any conclusions as to the EBH's effectiveness. Need more time with it. I'll plug it in for 3 hours tomorrow and see if that makes any difference.

07-05-2007, 10:12 PM	#8
Green Hokie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 188 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: S Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Thanks, Jim. I'll have to pay a little more attention to my readings during the first drive tomorrow morning, especially the first 5 minute bar. I had forgotten this is probably the better way of comparing before & after results of the EBH. This afternoon, I was simply observing instantaneous mpg readings during the first few minutes and never even bothered to check the first 5 minute bar.

07-06-2007, 08:15 AM	#10
Rangerdavid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boone, North Carolina Posts: 1,262 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts Friends: 25	I agree, plug it in for minimum of 3 hours for best effect. You will definately notice the most drastic difference in the colder months, but it helps during the summer as well, the difference is just not as drastic.