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Need your engine block heater installed-West of the Mississippi

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by FireEngineer, Jul 31, 2007.

  1. FireEngineer

    FireEngineer Active Member

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    The Group Buy for engine block heaters is in full swing.

    There are excellent threads and instructions here on PriusChat to do it yourself. If your a do-it-your-selfer this is not hard, painful maybe but not hard (exception, large muscular forearms). Hobbit even has an alternative method from the top down, longer and more involved but certainly doable.

    You could take it to the dealer. Be prepared, most have never seen the engine block heater and it 's NOT in the service manual. Most will charge Time and Materials at their prevailing labor rate. Last I heard in the Chicago/Milwaukee area it was quoted as a 2 hour job for approx. $250. If you have a decent independent mechanic it should be cheaper once you show them the threads from PriusChat to get them up to speed.

    Or you can find another Prius owner who has performed the install and can help/perform the install for you.

    And seeing how I was asked, I will be coming out West to help out the PC community for those who need it. To that end I would like to get an idea of where I have to go. Please post here if you would like me to install your block heater for you and if it's not in your profile, your location. I will try to get to as many of you as possible. Besides, I like to drive.

    Wayne
     
  2. saechaka

    saechaka Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ Jul 31 2007, 12:43 PM) [snapback]488157[/snapback]</div>
    I live in the Federal Way, Seattle area and would welcome the chance of someone else installing it for me. I've placed an order the the EBH and hope to receive it soon. Maybe we can get a group together around here and meet somewhere on a certain date to have these installed. Thx
     
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Wayne, I don't need you, I don't want you to go out of your way, and in all likelyhood I'll be too impatient to wait for you to come through this area and do the install myself. But I'd love to visit with you again, give you a place to spend the night, and feed you dinner. If I haven't installed my new cord on my own before you get here I'll let you do it.
     
  4. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    (I highly recommend the Chicken Cacciatore.)

    If you come this way, I'll try to get some of the Prius Club San Diego to get in on the buy. Then maybe we can have a meeting and you can be a guest speaker. Then we can all do the install together. Maybe call it a "Mod Meeting" and others that have done some mods can show and tell.
     
  5. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    A friend of mine here has an EBH he's yet to install. I bet the two of us, at least, could put together a nice barbque on our Big Green Eggs for ya. I'll check with a few other local owners I know to see if they're interested.
     
  6. oly_57mpg

    oly_57mpg New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(saechaka @ Jul 31 2007, 02:09 PM) [snapback]488181[/snapback]</div>
    Let me know when you get yours... I drive through the area often. I can help you. I just hope your not anywhere near Campus Dr and 21st... Uh... I hated that place.
     
  7. growltiger

    growltiger New Member

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    <div align="left">Given the price, I am interested. I live in the (south) Bay Area, near San Jose. Given our generally moderate climate, would using the EBH be at all practical? I read how it could improve mileage even in the summer time. Are there any testimonials from those who live in similar climates?

    Are there any "howto" threads that would walk me through the installation. So far my Prius and I have survived an XM Radio and EV Button install. I will soon be replacing my horn. I would never call myself "handy" but I get by with the help of expert documentation... and kind friends.

    (Edited to add:) By the way, I assume that this part will fit a 2007 Prius. Or did I miss something?

    Thanks in advance for answers to any of my questions.</div>
     
  8. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    When are you thinking about doing your West Coast swing? Sev MacPete is asking when you'd be out San Diego, CA way re: setting up a PriusClubSD meeting. We'd want to be sure we got our EBHs before you made the trip. Isn't the deadline for ordering August 19th? Not sure how long shipping takes. It would be a shame for you to come out and our heaters are still in the warehouse waiting to be mailed.
     
  9. FireEngineer

    FireEngineer Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jul 31 2007, 09:20 PM) [snapback]488442[/snapback]</div>
    That depends on Danny and Jesse. If they have the 50 orders, then I hope they start shipping early. If they're waiting till the 19th then it won't be until the 21/22 I will leave when my first stops should get theirs. I would love to meet with Sev and the rest of the group, hope they can hang on until we find out about the shipping.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Growltiger @ Jul 31 2007, 07:19 PM) [snapback]488389[/snapback]</div>
    [/b][/quote]

    Practical yes, using the block heter will get your starting 5 minute bar up from the normal 20-30MPG to something like 45-60MPG (YMpgMV). Very good for short commutes/trips. Frank Hudon up in Vancouver, BC has been using his for a couple of years in the summer, his Classic is currently above 50MPG on the tank.

    Do a search for "block heater" you'll come up with several threads, including a recent how-to by Green Hokie.

    Yes it will.

    Wayne
     
  10. AXavier

    AXavier New Member

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    Please don't schedule a trip to the Bay Area just on my account...I have a crazy schedule commuting between Sacramento and San Jose and don't know if I can break free to meet up (but I would love to try).

    That being said...after reading all about the EBH I would love one of your quality installs if the opportunity presented itself. I am car-challenged myself...my skill set is patent law.
     
  11. liznowen

    liznowen Junior Member

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    I would love to buy a block heater but I know I absolutely could never install it. I'm afraid I know as much about cars as stereotypical young women are supposed to know.

    I live in Long Beach but I could probably make it to San Diego on any said weekend.

    Does installing the block heater in any way disrupt the warranty?
     
  12. thfrancis

    thfrancis New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AXavier @ Jul 31 2007, 09:22 PM) [snapback]488488[/snapback]</div>
    I am in the SF Bay Area also and could be enticed. One cosmetic question- Does the plug hang out from the front grill or is it set back in some way?
     
  13. growltiger

    growltiger New Member

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    <div align="left">Okay, I read enough to feel convinced that the EBH has all-weather practicality, so I ordered an EBH. I suppose I should invest in a timer, too. Is this the sort of thing Home Depot would carry? Any testimonials as to brand and type?

    I am also interested in being a subject in the "Wayne's West of the Mississippi EBH Install Tour" but with a caveat: I am now living in interesting times and my schedule could change at a moment's notice. So I guess what I am saying is that I would not want you, Wayne, to come out to my neck of the Silicon Valley unless you had other takers in my vicinity as well. But please keep me in the loop, so to speak, as you organize your tour. It sounds like fun.</div>
     
  14. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    Well, I was really just kidding about having you come all the way out west, but if you do come, I would be happy to meet you and get some help, with a group if that works best. Camas, WA is about 120 miles south of Federal Way, WA in the first post. Portland OR, is one of our well know suburbs. Portland HSD group meet on Saturday August 18.
     
  15. priussoris

    priussoris New Member

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    Hi wayne,

    Same offer as Evan, if you are nearby and need to rest over your more than welcomed here.

    I can't promise cheese curds, but we do have a lousy Restaurant here, I'm not joking it is bad.

    Craig
     
  16. treehggr

    treehggr New Member

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    Hey Wayne,

    I haven't heard anybody mention Arizona yet. Do you plan on heading down to this place I call hell?
     
  17. FireEngineer

    FireEngineer Active Member

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    To answer some questions:

    This is a Toyota part made by a 3rd party, it will not void or affect your warranty. The installation does not affect any other part of the car.

    The cord can be routed to almost any place in the upper/lower grill. The plug itself normally will stick out a little but there are ways to be able to recess it it the grill for a hidden look.

    I will try to get to everyone who wants an install. If some people are grouped in an area I may ask some people to move a little closer or meet and do a group install. If your on the move or at work I can do this in a parking lot, parking garage, rest stop, driveway...wherever you can park your Prius. I bring my own ramps and tools, you supply the block heater.

    Current route looks like a swing down from Chicago through the southwest up the coast to the northwest and back through the middle of the rockies and midwest. But nothing is set yet so keep your requests coming.

    Wayne
     
  18. Philmo

    Philmo Junior Member

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    Wayne,

    I Google Checked-Out this am and hope to see the unit soon. My Denver location is actually Evergreen, CO. Depending on if/how you cross the state we're about 12 miles south of interstate 70; 7 miles north of US-285; and 35 miles west of downtown Denver.

    I've also e-mailed my next-door neighbor, who's been out of town, about getting on the bus with this. If he does I'll let you know in case we can create some gravity for our area.

    We could easily meet at a Park-n-Ride next to I-70 if that works best. Walkable to your free dinner/lunch at the famous El Rancho!

    thanks! Phil
     
  19. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(philmo @ Aug 1 2007, 09:14 AM) [snapback]488591[/snapback]</div>
    I'm going to be in Denver in Sept. if you need it installed earlier. I don't/won't do as expert of a job as Wayne does, but I'll get it safely installed if you need it then and if I can escape the wife and kids...I'll just be there for a couple days though.
     
  20. hsamrat

    hsamrat Junior Member

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    Wayne,
    Interested in visiting the Arch in St. Louis for some beer and curry? I can always drive to Chicago too.
    Thanks in advance