So I figured out how to install my block heater

[mikel 52]

Here's a link to some pics I took while I was installing my block heater.
The first one gives you a good idea what you are looking for and the next few are of the same area looking up from under the car. The two circled areas are the same boss that the heater goes into viewed from different angles.

Mike

[dmckinstry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lee @ Oct 19 2006, 01:40 PM) [snapback]335240[/snapback]</div>

It's impossible to see the location from underneath the car. You have to do it by feel. If you look at the pictures near the beginning this thread it will give you a pretty good idea of where you have to reach up to find the hole.
[/b]

I believe that, but I didn't see how I could even fit my hand any distance up through any holes available, let alone get an arm and elbow up there. I know people have done it, but what is the best entry point?

I'll still probably do it from above.

Dave M.

[efusco]

Best photo I have to show you approximately where the core goes...

[dmckinstry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Oct 20 2006, 08:23 AM) [snapback]335560[/snapback]</div>

Best photo I have to show you approximately where the core goes...
[/b]

Thanks Evan. I just went back and found your earlier post of this photo, and it does look like what I saw when I looked up and saw the exhaust manifold. Your photo shows one of the two holes I mentioned earlier, but is obvously from a slightly different angle than I had viewed it. I had printed off your photo earlier, and now I wish that I had carried it under the car with me. In seeing the correct angle, it would probably have given me an indication of where to try to get my hand through.

I may end up doing if from below, but will have to jack up the car higher than I had it to possibly get my arm into the hole. I'll have another look at it this evening. I would prefer not to take the wiper assembly, etc. apart if I can avoid it.

In looking at the jack point in the owner's manual again, I guess it is clear enough, but I'll have to be under the car when positioning it. I'd like to get at least 3 or 4 inches more clearance before trying to reach up to find the correct hole. At it is, I can barely slide under the car without it touching my chest.

Thanks again. Maybe I'll actually get it done this evening.

Dave M.

[mrbigh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Oct 20 2006, 11:23 AM) [snapback]335560[/snapback]</div>

Best photo I have to show you approximately where the core goes...

[/b]

To clarify a little, Evan's picture is taken from ground level ---UP.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Oct 20 2006, 12:01 PM) [snapback]335587[/snapback]</div>

Thanks Evan. I just went back and found your earlier post of this photo, and it does look like what I saw when I looked up and saw the exhaust manifold. Your photo shows one of the two holes I mentioned earlier, but is obvously from a slightly different angle than I had viewed it. I had printed off your photo earlier, and now I wish that I had carried it under the car with me. In seeing the correct angle, it would probably have given me an indication of where to try to get my hand through.

I may end up doing if from below, but will have to jack up the car higher than I had it to possibly get my arm into the hole. I'll have another look at it this evening. I would prefer not to take the wiper assembly, etc. apart if I can avoid it.

In looking at the jack point in the owner's manual again, I guess it is clear enough, but I'll have to be under the car when positioning it. I'd like to get at least 3 or 4 inches more clearance before trying to reach up to find the correct hole. At it is, I can barely slide under the car without it touching my chest.

Thanks again. Maybe I'll actually get it done this evening.

Dave M.
[/b]

To access SAFELY the area from under, you should have it on 2 jacks in ider side, on 2 ramps or on a lift.
SAFETY precautions are a MUST!!!

[dmckinstry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mrbigh @ Oct 20 2006, 09:38 AM) [snapback]335607[/snapback]</div>

To clarify a little, Evan's picture is taken from ground level ---UP.
[/b]

Right. The first time I looked at Evan's picture I wasn't sure of that. But it became apparent later. Now I'll have to get under the car again to see exactly where he had the camera when he took the photo.
Hopefully that will tell me where to stick my hand through. As I told Evan, I'll have to jack the car up further to have a chance of succeeding. As it is, the front wheels are only 6 inches off the ground when they are on the ramps I have.

Anyway, thanks for the continued support.

Dave M.

[dmckinstry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Oct 20 2006, 09:45 AM) [snapback]335609[/snapback]</div>

Right. The first time I looked at Evan's picture I wasn't sure of that. But it became apparent later. Now I'll have to get under the car again to see exactly where he had the camera when he took the photo.
Hopefully that will tell me where to stick my hand through. As I told Evan, I'll have to jack the car up further to have a chance of succeeding. As it is, the front wheels are only 6 inches off the ground when they are on the ramps I have.

Anyway, thanks for the continued support.

Dave M.
[/b]

Well, replying to myself, but I've about given up on doing the installation from below the car. That is, unless someone can tell my how to get my elbow past the drive shaft. I'm attaching a photo. I'm sorry for the poor quality, but I couldn't get my camera set on a wide enough angle to hold the camera while I was taking the picture and had to try holding the camera against the ground. If I'd held the camera I would have gotten a picture closer in appear to the one Evan provided.

[attachmentid=5411]

As you look at the photo, you can see what I presume to be the right drive shaft near the top of the image, and beyond that the exhaust manifold, which is also visible in Evan's photo. Below and to the left of the exhaust manifold is the point I should be trying to reach. Below the driveshaft (not physically below, but below in the photo) seems to be the widest entry point to reach the required location. However, I've been unable to get my elbow through that region from any angle I can reach. This is with my right arm as was mentioned by someone here earlier. Going over the top of the drive shaft seems impossible as well.

Is there a better entry location? I can't see one, but clue me in if there is.

I've been in and out from under the car close to a dozen times without any luck.

If no one can tell me what I'm doing wrong, I'll have to remove the wiper assembly and cowling and try to get at it from above.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Dave M.

[mrbigh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Oct 21 2006, 08:33 PM) [snapback]336231[/snapback]</div>

Well, replying to myself, but I've about given up on doing the installation from below the car. That is, unless someone can tell my how to get my elbow past the drive shaft. .....

I've been in and out from under the car close to a dozen times without any luck.

If no one can tell me what I'm doing wrong, I'll have to remove the wiper assembly and cowling and try to get at it from above.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Dave M.
[/b]

It is a difficult place to work, and by your experience of many times under carriage, you have made your own opinion. Attack the beast from above, the wipers is only 3 nuts, the gutter/cowl only 8 10mm bolts and 2 speed fastners, and by the same token, you can clean it from all debris that acumulates there, and 2 bolts for the relay box, no more than 5 minutes, the same amount of time will take you to drag the jack under the car and pump-it up.
Working from above is much cleaner and safer.

[dmckinstry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mrbigh @ Oct 21 2006, 06:11 PM) [snapback]336240[/snapback]</div>

It is a difficult place to work, and by your experience of many times under carriage, you have made your own opinion. Attack the beast from above, the wipers is only 3 nuts, the gutter/cowl only 8 10mm bolts and 2 speed fastners, and by the same token, you can clean it from all debris that acumulates there, and 2 bolts for the relay box, no more than 5 minutes, the same amount of time will take you to drag the jack under the car and pump-it up.
Working from above is much cleaner and safer.
[/b]

Thanks for the quick reply. You've definitely convinced me.

Dave M.

[dmckinstry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mrbigh @ Oct 21 2006, 06:11 PM) [snapback]336240[/snapback]</div>

It is a difficult place to work, and by your experience of many times under carriage, you have made your own opinion. Attack the beast from above, the wipers is only 3 nuts, the gutter/cowl only 8 10mm bolts and 2 speed fastners, and by the same token, you can clean it from all debris that acumulates there, and 2 bolts for the relay box, no more than 5 minutes, the same amount of time will take you to drag the jack under the car and pump-it up.
Working from above is much cleaner and safer.
[/b]

Removing the head cap for the left wiper arm and the three nuts is no problem.

However, is there a special puller tool for removing the wiper arms? I've tried tapping on the bolt while pulling up on the wipers with no luck, and I don't want to take the chance of damaging anything. After all, this is the first completely new car I've ever owned. That's after nearly 50 years of driving.

Would a spray lubricant be in order?

Dave M.