Engine Block Heater Cap

Rangerdavid · 11-23-2008, 08:08 PM

Has anyone here ever lost the plug cap off your EBH?? I havn't lost mine, yet... but I started wondering if the plug caps were available separately, or if you just got a "make do" cap from the home improvement store?

thanks.....

RD

Wots · 11-23-2008, 08:41 PM

I use one of those electrical cable ties to secure the cap to the cable.

FireEngineer · 11-24-2008, 12:12 PM

There are caps available from CanadianTire stores.

Wayne

Santiago · 11-24-2008, 05:13 PM

Have you seen any caps in the 48 states?

Stefx · 11-24-2008, 06:10 PM

My EBH power cable ripped out when I backed out of my driveway after forgetting to disconnect the EBH.
The dealer replaced the cable only, the rest was fine. So I imagine they may be able to just give you the cap if you lost it.
I don't see how you would lost it. Didn't the dealer tie-wrap it to the cable, or the gril?

kettledrum · 08-11-2009, 01:17 PM

Instead of starting a new thread, I'm reviving this one.

Unfortunately, I backed out of my driveway without unplugging the EBH and I lost my cap.

Wayne or anyone else know where I might be able to find a cap? Wayne, you mentioned Canadian Tire. I don't see that I can order one online? I don't see an option to add to cart.

FireEngineer · 08-11-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kettledrum

Instead of starting a new thread, I'm reviving this one.

Unfortunately, I backed out of my driveway without unplugging the EBH and I lost my cap.

Wayne or anyone else know where I might be able to find a cap? Wayne, you mentioned Canadian Tire. I don't see that I can order one online? I don't see an option to add to cart.

You have to have a Canadian address for delivery. Maybe someone from Canada can get one for you.

Wayne

krousdb · 08-11-2009, 01:42 PM

I'm supposed to use the cap? Why?

kettledrum · 08-13-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireEngineer

You have to have a Canadian address for delivery. Maybe someone from Canada can get one for you.

Wayne

Wayne, I take it this is the only place you have seen them for sale?

jayman · 08-13-2009, 12:39 PM

Most of the vehicles here have lost the cap over the plug, ages ago. The cap may protect the plug, but there are plenty of other ways to ruin a plug, not just backing out without unplugging first

The flexing of the plug every time you plug in, and unplug, will eventually break the stranded wires inside. I've never got more than 3 years out of a block heater plug before having to replace it. If easy to get to, I just get an entire new harness, usually under $15, and plug it in to the block heater frost plug

Of course, the Prius, and my FJ, don't use a frost plug heater. It's a contact heater that fits into a machined recess in the aluminum block. In that case, due to the PITA Factor, I just chop off the plug and wire in a replacement grounded plug

11-23-2008, 08:08 PM	#1
Rangerdavid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boone, North Carolina Posts: 1,264 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts Friends: 25	Engine Block Heater Cap Has anyone here ever lost the plug cap off your EBH?? I havn't lost mine, yet... but I started wondering if the plug caps were available separately, or if you just got a "make do" cap from the home improvement store? thanks..... RD

11-23-2008, 08:41 PM	#2
Wots Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: chicago Posts: 35 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 1	Re: Engine Block Heater Cap I use one of those electrical cable ties to secure the cap to the cable. Last edited by Wots; 11-23-2008 at 08:44 PM.

11-24-2008, 12:12 PM	#3
FireEngineer Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: SW-Side of Chicago, IL Posts: 1,155 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 1 Thanked 50 Times in 38 Posts Friends: 12	Re: Engine Block Heater Cap There are caps available from CanadianTire stores. Wayne

11-24-2008, 05:13 PM	#4
Santiago Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New Mexico Posts: 109 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 1	Re: Engine Block Heater Cap Have you seen any caps in the 48 states?

11-24-2008, 06:10 PM	#5
Stefx Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 318 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 2 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Engine Block Heater Cap My EBH power cable ripped out when I backed out of my driveway after forgetting to disconnect the EBH. The dealer replaced the cable only, the rest was fine. So I imagine they may be able to just give you the cap if you lost it. I don't see how you would lost it. Didn't the dealer tie-wrap it to the cable, or the gril?

08-11-2009, 01:17 PM	#6
kettledrum Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 178 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #4 Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Engine Block Heater Cap Instead of starting a new thread, I'm reviving this one. Unfortunately, I backed out of my driveway without unplugging the EBH and I lost my cap. Wayne or anyone else know where I might be able to find a cap? Wayne, you mentioned Canadian Tire. I don't see that I can order one online? I don't see an option to add to cart.

08-11-2009, 01:42 PM	#8
krousdb Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 405 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: I Package: #7 Thanks: 9 Thanked 297 Times in 185 Posts Friends: 10	Re: Engine Block Heater Cap I'm supposed to use the cap? Why?

08-13-2009, 12:39 PM	#10
jayman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 11,560 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 35 Thanked 185 Times in 168 Posts Friends: 12	Re: Engine Block Heater Cap Most of the vehicles here have lost the cap over the plug, ages ago. The cap may protect the plug, but there are plenty of other ways to ruin a plug, not just backing out without unplugging first The flexing of the plug every time you plug in, and unplug, will eventually break the stranded wires inside. I've never got more than 3 years out of a block heater plug before having to replace it. If easy to get to, I just get an entire new harness, usually under $15, and plug it in to the block heater frost plug Of course, the Prius, and my FJ, don't use a frost plug heater. It's a contact heater that fits into a machined recess in the aluminum block. In that case, due to the PITA Factor, I just chop off the plug and wire in a replacement grounded plug __________________ 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser 5AT "C", Sun Fusion

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