Block Heater SMOKIN'!! (PICS)

ken1784 · Jul 31, 2007

Again, please do not forget to apply the thermo grease.

Ken@Japan

efusco · Jul 31, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ Jul 31 2007, 09:03 AM) [snapback]487964[/snapback]</div>

The original block heater was the correct one even if the receipt said 00885. I would like to see the picture of the hole again, currently it's missing from PC. I suggest you place something in the hole you used and take a picture so we can confirm the right hole.

Wayne [/b]
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It shows up fine for me in the first post Wayne...maybe the host site was down temporarily.

hmmm, ok, now it won't show up in my post....lemme try something else....

oly_57mpg · Jul 31, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ Jul 31 2007, 10:03 AM) [snapback]487964[/snapback]</div>

The original block heater was the correct one even if the receipt said 00885.
[/b]
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It might have been the same/correct part - but it was not in the correct hole. If you look at the picture above from the OP, you can see how the block heater is in crooked. Plus the fact that you cannot get a camera in that area to take a picture also proves it's the wrong hole.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ Jul 31 2007, 10:03 AM) [snapback]487964[/snapback]</div>

I would like to see the picture of the hole again, currently it's missing from PC.
[/b]
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Ken's picture above is the only picture I know of that clearly shows the block heater hole - of course, usually there are pipes around it and an inverter on top of it...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jul 31 2007, 01:55 AM) [snapback]487878[/snapback]</div>

Okay. You guys are scaring me.
I'm going in on the group buy with everyone else. I'm going to have to install this thing myself...
[/b]
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Don't let this thread discourage you. It's an easy install. It just takes forever to feel around when you're laying on your back, reaching up through the engine to find a small hole. Then comes the fun of lubing it up and sliding it in, baby. B)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ Jul 23 2007, 02:04 AM) [snapback]483477[/snapback]</div>

Also, have you applied the thermo grease?
[/b]
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There's NO thermo grease in the OP picture. When I was done with my install, I could feel grease all around the hole and anywhere my hand had wandered. There should be 'some' lube showing somewhere.

OK... I found my pictures on an old [dlt] tape backup:
Looking underneath from the front of the car:

http://picasaweb.google.com/traitorous8/Pr...375820508591618

Looking up from the bottom:

http://picasaweb.google.com/traitorous8/Pr...375820508591602

As far as a small point-n-shoot camera can reach:

http://picasaweb.google.com/traitorous8/Pr...375820508591586

abq sfr · Jul 31, 2007

Man do you have a clean Prius! What kind of aluminum polish do you use under your car??

FireEngineer · Jul 31, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jul 31 2007, 12:55 AM) [snapback]487878[/snapback]</div>

Okay. You guys are scaring me.

I'm going in on the group buy with everyone else. I'm going to have to install this thing myself unless Wayne decides to take a vacation to sunny So. Cal. I was pretty confident. I installed my mudflaps, bumper cover, BT plate and hood deflector. I figured I could do this too. Now I'm not so sure.
[/b]
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I'm still picking my menu items.

Wayne

Godiva · Jul 31, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ Jul 31 2007, 09:34 AM) [snapback]487986[/snapback]</div>

Again, please do not forget to apply the thermo grease.

Ken@Japan
[/b]
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Question:

Does this mean the EBH has to be removed periodically and re-greased?

Also: What is the lifetime on this thing? Would I have to buy another (and regrease and reinstall) every few years?

oly_57mpg · Jul 31, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jul 31 2007, 01:41 PM) [snapback]488153[/snapback]</div>

Does this mean the EBH has to be removed periodically and re-greased?
[/b]
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No. It's a one time deal for installation. It's not a moving part. The thermal grease is used to better transfer heat from the EBH to the engine block. It's the same idea as the thermal paste that's used on computer CPUs to transfer the heat from the die/packaging to a heatsink.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jul 31 2007, 01:41 PM) [snapback]488153[/snapback]</div>

Also: What is the lifetime on this thing? Would I have to buy another (and regrease and reinstall) every few years?
[/b]
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Life of the car as long as it's installed in the correct hole... :mellow: How long have you had your oven heating elements? Yeah, the EBH will last a good long while.

All of the watt-hour metering that I have done shows that it soaks 400W-415W. As long as you see a _little_ spark on the NEMA L5-15 (three prong plug you attach to an extension cord/wall plug) when you plug it in - you'll know it's still working!

ken1784 · Jul 31, 2007

Here is another picture from the exhaust side.

Looking at OP's picture again, found a big space between heater and hole.
The diameter of the hole is too big than the heater.
Again, my bet is it was wrong hole.

Ken@Japan

tballx · Jul 31, 2007

All right, all right. I'm tempted to go throw it up on the ramp right now but it's story time for the kids. Obviously, I've gone from wrong part, right hole to right part, wrong hole. No I didn't go berserk on the grease for the simple reason that if any is left shooting out the hole upon insertion it's wasted. But it was on the tube. Clearly, there is another similar sized hole as a decoy or something <_< At any rate, I'll climb under again and give it a shot with the new part. My experience certainly shouldn't dissuade anyone. It's actually kind of fun to tinker around anyway.

Rereading my post sounds like a response in a remedial porn-cinematography class. Geez.

ken1784 · Aug 1, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tballx @ Aug 1 2007, 11:55 AM) [snapback]488457[/snapback]</div>

No I didn't go berserk on the grease for the simple reason that if any is left shooting out the hole upon insertion it's wasted.
[/b]
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Following is the instruction sheet.
Please find "CAUTION: Do not operate in air".
The heater will burn out if it did not have good thermal transfer to the engine block.

Ken@Japan

edit:
I think tballx's trial was very good challenge.
"You never fail until you stop trying."
Hope next person will succeed to install it.

oly_57mpg · Aug 2, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ Aug 1 2007, 12:50 AM) [snapback]488499[/snapback]</div>

Following is the instruction sheet.

[/b]
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That brings back memories from sex ed class...

tballx · Aug 4, 2007

SUCCESS!!

Second try is a charm. No worries. Now off to acquire a timer for my outlet.

ken1784 · Aug 4, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tballx @ Aug 5 2007, 03:39 AM) [snapback]490575[/snapback]</div>

SUCCESS!!
[/b]
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Congratulations!
Now, you found the grease helped a lot for your sexual pleasantness, didn't you? <_<

Ken@Japan

efusco · Aug 4, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tballx @ Aug 4 2007, 01:39 PM) [snapback]490575[/snapback]</div>

SUCCESS!!

Second try is a charm. No worries. Now off to acquire a timer for my outlet. [/b]
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Good for you. Now that you have it can you show a wider shot showing where you inadvertantly installed it the first time...just so others know NOT to do it there.

tballx · Aug 4, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Aug 4 2007, 01:52 PM) [snapback]490618[/snapback]</div>

Good for you. Now that you have it can you show a wider shot showing where you inadvertantly installed it the first time...just so others know NOT to do it there.
[/b]
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Well, perhaps next weekend. I'm done with the ramp for today. It's a good idea though since I think I can show both where I attempted to install and a portion of the indentation in the block from the actual insertion point in the same frame. I intentionally took the first shot up close to illustrate the lack of uniform contact.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ Aug 4 2007, 01:10 PM) [snapback]490604[/snapback]</div>

Congratulations!
Now, you found the grease helped a lot for your sexual pleasantness, didn't you? <_<

Ken@Japan
[/b]
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Umm... thanks for the support but remember that playing with American idiom too much can be dangerous or at least weird. B)

FireEngineer · Aug 4, 2007

I guess I'll scratch this location from the trip manifest. Congrats.

Wayne

tballx · Aug 12, 2007

Thought I would try a little post mortem to illustrate the WRONG spot to insert the heater. The photos are taken with the camera placed somewhat awkwardly considering the cramped conditions. Click them to enlarge. Here is where I installed the heater core:

Notice the small metal band in the frame above the hole that I've outlined in yellow? If you rotate the camera 90' so that it is facing toward the front of the car you can then see that same metal band in relation to the place where the heater should've been inserted.

The actual cord that runs down from above to power the block heater is outlined in red. You can see the indentation from the insertion hole in blue. The band is in yellow again. The obvious error is that originally the core was inserted such that the power connection faced the passenger side whereas inserting the heater core in the proper hole results in the power connection facing the driver side. Lastly, I can't get a shot of the indentation that is at the rim of the proper hole but you can feel it with your hand and once your clip is seated properly over it you are good to go.

It's actually quite simple. If you've ever built a toy for your kids at Christmas or assembled furniture from Ikea you'll do fine installing it yourself.

ken1784 · Aug 13, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tballx @ Aug 13 2007, 02:37 AM) [snapback]494324[/snapback]</div>

The obvious error is that originally the core was inserted such that the power connection faced the passenger side whereas inserting the heater core in the proper hole results in the power connection facing the driver side. [/b]
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Now, we know your original (wrong) hole was on the transaxle (near MG1) instead of the engine block.

Ken@Japan

kohnen · Aug 13, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(oly_57mpg @ Aug 1 2007, 11:57 PM) [snapback]489085[/snapback]</div>

That brings back memories from sex ed class...
[/b]
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ESPECIALLY that "Do Not Operate in Air" warning!

Block Heater SMOKIN'!! (PICS)

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