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Adding a heater to the coolant thermos?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Daox, Sep 14, 2011.

  1. Daox

    Daox Member

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    For some time now I wondered why Toyota hasn't put the block heater in the coolant thermos vs the engine block. I know its already part of the casting to have the pocket there (yes I know it has to be machined out too). But, wouldn't it make more sense to put it in the thermos? It could be a much lower power unit and/or run much shorter amounts of time. With it being insulated, the solar roof guys could heat up their coolant if need be in the winter when the solar roof isn't being used for cooling the car.

    I bring this up because I recently pulled an extra thermos from a salvage yard and I am thinking about doing it. I was hoping someone here has seen a cross section of the tank? I'm guessing for insulation its either a foam filled cavity or vacuum sealed. I'm looking for any info or suggestions on how to go about doing this. Are there any major hangups to doing this like the thermos is physically sealed and heating it would pressurize it?
     
    #1 Daox, Sep 14, 2011
  2. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    must be the winter coming time
     
    #2 cyclopathic, Sep 14, 2011
  3. Daox

    Daox Member

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    Haha, you bet, and with my PHEV kit its gonna get coooold in the car.
     
    #3 Daox, Sep 14, 2011
  4. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Preheating the tiny bit of coolant in the thermos is no where near preheating the entire engine block in terms of helping the engine warm up.
     
    #4 2009Prius, Sep 16, 2011
  5. Stocktonmanners

    Stocktonmanners aaaaaaa

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    #5 Stocktonmanners, Jan 7, 2012
  6. jpadc

    jpadc Type before I think too often

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    Well, in my 2008 I've now installed two block heaters and both have failed after 2 years each (very cheap plug at the heater IMHO). So I am certainly considering alternatives. If a unit like this can really end up circulating coolant as NoMoShocks says - I'm certainly interested in looking at this alternative.
     
    #6 jpadc, Jan 8, 2012
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I agree.

    Look into getting the block heater. Unless you really enjoy stress, aggravation and contortion, or maybe know someone who's done their own, I'd just bite the bullet and let the dealer put it in. Safer if anything goes wrong, too.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Jan 8, 2012
  8. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Was there enough slack left between the plug and the point where the cable was tied to the frame (to allow relative movement between the engine and the frame which I was told could be inches)?
     
    #8 2009Prius, Jan 8, 2012
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