Anybody get this option installed?

 

In Canada it comes standard. Go figure!

 

yea really!

heh, have you used it yet? Notice a difference?

 

Not yet. With my old beater (with 2 blockheaters, one on either side of the V8 block), I could plug it in, and the weather would be 20F outside, and block heater would heat the block enough to defrost the windows!!!!! You'd get in, touch the key, and drive away. The heater would already be blowing warm air. Now that was sweeeeeett.

The weather has been pretty decent so far, so I haven't even searched for the end yet.

 

Awesome I can't wait for mine. I've emailed PAA. Does the Acura heater cover both sides of the engine? If not i'll see what can be done about getting both sides of the engine covered

 

can we see a pic of what this heat blocker looks like?

sidemarker

 

I've never looked at it, so I can't say for sure. I'd assume it's one side only.

On the domestic engines, it mounts in a frost plug at the bottom of the block (there is one plug per cyclinder). That way if the water freezes, the plug blows out, and saves cracking the block.

Sidemarker:
GM ones are L shaped (it's a plug that has an element that fastens to it.). They were really easy to install (take a punch, hit a corner of the plug until it spins out, and remove. The heater slips in, and has a screw to tighten it to hold it in the hole.

You can buy recirculating ones as well (typically utilized in diesels, since a cold diesel is impossible to start). They are the size of a pop can, and basically heat and pump at the same time. That way the whole engine is warm since all the water is heated (unlike the cheaper ones that just heat the water in one side of the jacket).

Of course, our little 3.2L is a smaller block as well.... :P

 

A block heater really isn't needed unless you live in the sticks of Montana, Idaho, or in Canada....

Certainly not necessary in Philly...

 

It's been like 30 degrees consistantly here. My car stays outside I think this winter will be bad so i want to make sure the car is ok.

 

Zapata, you take the cake.

 

30 degress ain't shit... Again, live in an environment where it gets -30 F then it's worth your while. Even at 0, it's still not even necessary.

I felt the same way when my older cars sat outside. But after talking to some people, they all said it's not necessary. And it's MUCH colder here in Chicago on average than in Philly.

Get it for piece of mind if you'd like. I'd rather spend the bucks on something else.

 

Heh... if you love your baby, you love your baby, right?

 

Ok I was finiall taught about freeze plugs not to long ago. Living in S. Fla. cold weather is not really a concern. But what I wanted to ask u, is when does a freeze plug blow out. What conditions need to be met before that can happen. I would figure that just because temp is freezing that wouldn't mean the freeze plug would blow out. Now what happens when the freeze plug does blow out? Do any fluids leak out? Do u then need to take the car to a mechanic to have the plug replaced.



What recirculates the coolant? Is it the block heater or does it work with the engine's coolant pump?

Aren't there other block heaters that stick to the oil pan? Do u know of any other block heaters?


Juker008

 

jrock,
:P

scrib,
Of course i wouldn't plug it in everyday. Only when temp that night would get really cold.

 

Sure, I understand. My point all along is that it isn't needed. But, for piece of mind, there is no harm.

What does one go for these days anyway??? 100 bucks?

 

$88

 

The water expands when it freezes, so the expanding water forces the plug out. When it thaws, all the coolent will run out too, but it's cheaper to replace a frost plug than a block! Depending on the engine, it's something you can usually do in your driveway. Of course, if you just check the coolant quality with one of those $5 bulb meter thingys, then you never have to worry about it.

As for the heater, I believe it works on the principle of a coffee perk. It runs independant of the car (there are no moving parts in it). I'm not sure what the default heater core position is, but if it defaults to interior heat or defrost, then you can hook it in-line with the heater core, and have it sort of pre-heat the interior.

There are oil pan heaters as well, but they are usually magnetic and won't stick to an aluminum pan. They don't heat the block, just the oil. If it's stupid cold (not something you'll probably find in any of the lower 48 states), then it would help (but you still need the block heater, since the oil in the upper engine is basically mollasis.

 

I think that I once saw those bulb things in the auto parts store. How do they work? Do they tell the % of coolant to water?



Juker008

 

You stick the hose in the rad, squeeze the bulb so the coolant fills to the line, and the float will rise to the freezing / boiling point of the coolant.

Simple, effective, and stops you from being one of those guys with your engine overheating in winter.

 

Anyone have a pic of this engine block heater? I'm assumming it helps warm up the car faster in the winter? My CL-S took forever to warm up in cold weather.

 

Can it also be used to judge the age of the coolant. To determine if the coolant needs to be flushed and changed?


Juker008

 

No, it just checks the specific gravity to give you the boiling/freezing point.

 

So if the boiling point were low and the freezign point were high then that would be a sign to change the coolant?


Juker008

 

Good question, but I don't know. I'm not sure if it degrades over time. :P

 

I grew up in Northern Michigan...12+" snow all winter. Nobody used block heaters.

 

I don't bother to use mine until the mercury hits 0F and below.