Changing Block Heater Element
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 718
Likes: 2
From: Chattanooga, TN
Nice pic MAEVANS.
SFLEM849: There is an amount of coolant that will drain out due to the weight of the coolant (gravity) exerting force on the hole. Coolant will drain until the pressure has equalized - I'm sure it would be more than a "cup" full though.
BILLUCLUB: When the ambient temps are extremely cold, you will not likely see your temp gauge show an increase when you initially turn the key on even though the block heater is working. I have noticed this as well. However, I plug mine in year round and in the warmer months I do see the gauge needle showing an increase when the key is turned on. FYI: I reasoning for plugging in year round is that it does not take as long for my oil temp to reach optimum temp and I personally think it prolongs the life of my glow plugs - I know they only cost $10 each and are not hard to replace unless one of the ends have balooned, then you have a problem.
Good Day Mates,
H2GUY, You should be able and confident now to replace your block heater - go for it!
SFLEM849: There is an amount of coolant that will drain out due to the weight of the coolant (gravity) exerting force on the hole. Coolant will drain until the pressure has equalized - I'm sure it would be more than a "cup" full though.
BILLUCLUB: When the ambient temps are extremely cold, you will not likely see your temp gauge show an increase when you initially turn the key on even though the block heater is working. I have noticed this as well. However, I plug mine in year round and in the warmer months I do see the gauge needle showing an increase when the key is turned on. FYI: I reasoning for plugging in year round is that it does not take as long for my oil temp to reach optimum temp and I personally think it prolongs the life of my glow plugs - I know they only cost $10 each and are not hard to replace unless one of the ends have balooned, then you have a problem.
Good Day Mates,
H2GUY, You should be able and confident now to replace your block heater - go for it!
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
The red stuff is the thread sealant!! 
I only spilled maybe a pint when I did mine, but I had the new one right beside the old one - I admit it went better than I expected though!
I only spilled maybe a pint when I did mine, but I had the new one right beside the old one - I admit it went better than I expected though!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 0
From: SE Wisco
Mine was a NAPA one and didn't have goo on it already. Mine was just plain silver.
Ihud, I am speaking from personal experience. I probably didn't even loose a cup. I had the new one ready to fly in as soon as the old one came out. Maybe I was just lucky. I doubt you could take the old one out, examine it, have a beer, admire the new one and then place it in and only loose a cup. But if you have your act together the lose will barely kill a herd of cats.
To the other dude, 20 degrees is not "really cold" 0 is really cold!
Mine will start at zero w/o plugging it in, but I do not like to do it either.
You can "ohm out" the heater with your DMM. I don't remember what it should read, but if you do a search you will find it rather quickly. IIRC it is 12.6??? I am sure somebody will catch me if I am wrong.
Ihud, I am speaking from personal experience. I probably didn't even loose a cup. I had the new one ready to fly in as soon as the old one came out. Maybe I was just lucky. I doubt you could take the old one out, examine it, have a beer, admire the new one and then place it in and only loose a cup. But if you have your act together the lose will barely kill a herd of cats.
To the other dude, 20 degrees is not "really cold" 0 is really cold!
Mine will start at zero w/o plugging it in, but I do not like to do it either.You can "ohm out" the heater with your DMM. I don't remember what it should read, but if you do a search you will find it rather quickly. IIRC it is 12.6??? I am sure somebody will catch me if I am wrong.
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