Block Heater

[buzzard bill]

It is getting cold in the UP of Michigan and I would like to know about Block Heaters for a 2005 Prius.

1. Cost
2. where to buy
3. How hard to install

Question: Is the cost equal tpo the Savings ibn fuel

Thanks,
Bill

[tripp]

Check out this rather exhaustive topic on the subject....

Block Heater

[carlisle]

When you were already ablte to put the block heater in place, be sure the loop of the heater points toward the center of the block. When using the plate above the starter motor, the loop should point forward. If using the plate behind the generator, the loop should face rearward. This is to ensure that the element doesn't come into contact with a cylinder inside the block. If the element touches metal inside the block, it Will NOT work.

Also, always remember not to plug in the heater with no coolant in the engine (this will result to quick burn out since it requires liquid coolant for heat transfer)

[mdmikemd]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(buzzard bill @ Oct 11 2006, 06:01 PM) [snapback]331428[/snapback]</div>

It is getting cold in the UP of Michigan and I would like to know about Block Heaters for a 2005 Prius.

1. Cost
2. where to buy
3. How hard to install

Question: Is the cost equal tpo the Savings ibn fuel

Thanks,
Bill
[/b]

Well, it was cheap, $30, but hard to install. I like the fact the car warms up quicker. I agree with looking at that other thread, gave some good advice.

[Arrallen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(buzzard bill @ Oct 11 2006, 07:01 PM) [snapback]331428[/snapback]</div>

It is getting cold in the UP of Michigan and I would like to know about Block Heaters for a 2005 Prius.

1. Cost
2. where to buy
3. How hard to install

Question: Is the cost equal tpo the Savings ibn fuel

Thanks,
Bill
[/b]

To add my 2 cents worth to this thread;
1. $60.00 which I thought was a total rip-off for what you get, but so is most things you buy from the dealer.
2. I bought mine on line.
3. This is one of those jobs that require a lot of luck which I didn't have. The hole for the heater is on the back of the engine facing the left wheel. You can't see it, only feel where it is at, just below the heater hose. The only way to get to the hole that I know of is to reach from the bottom of the engine at an angle from the right of the car. The instructions say to grease up the heater and the hole with the silicone grease supplied with the heater. Good luck because you will now are going to try to line up the heater with the hole you cannot see holding this greasy piece of 4 inch metal. I first tried plugging the power cord into the heater before sliding the heater into the hole but the cord is so stiff that it makes the whole operation unweilding. I finally took off the power cord and plugged in the heater first. I also wiped the grease off the heater so I could hold it without it slipping out of my fingers. Did I mention there is no real working space where the heater has to go? I ended up with multiple bloody scratches on the back of my hand. With a lot of luck the job could take thirty minutes. I took three hours. The instructions made no sense to me on how to run the plug to the front of the car. I ended up running it thru the hole for the hood latch and tying the plug to a license plate hole.

[FireEngineer]

Don't worry Arrallen, the next few you do will be easier .

Wayne

[efusco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(carlisle @ Oct 11 2006, 08:49 PM) [snapback]331522[/snapback]</div>

When you were already ablte to put the block heater in place, be sure the loop of the heater points toward the center of the block. When using the plate above the starter motor, the loop should point forward. If using the plate behind the generator, the loop should face rearward. This is to ensure that the element doesn't come into contact with a cylinder inside the block. If the element touches metal inside the block, it Will NOT work.

Also, always remember not to plug in the heater with no coolant in the engine (this will result to quick burn out since it requires liquid coolant for heat transfer) [/b]

Sounds like the heater for the pre-2G Prius is quite a bit different than the one for the the '04+. There's no loop, just a core that inserts in a hole and plugs in...it directly heats the block, not the coolant.

[FireEngineer]

Classic Prius block heater is the same as the 2G Prius, only the cord end is different. Carlisle, apparently not familiar, is refering to a normal freeze plug type block heater.

Wayne

[hdrygas]

There are two Block heaters out there. One for the 04 and below and the other for above. The one for the 04 and above slides into the block with some heat coupling gel. On the ealier Prii it, as I undrestand fits into a bracket and heats the Engine Comparment?

[mikel 52]

The block heaters for the classic and the newer Prius are the same with the exception of the length of the cord and the newer ones have a slightly different connector where the cord plugs into the heater.

Mike