Block Heater: OEM vs Others
#1
Block Heater: OEM vs Others
I have 1 garage.
Unfortunately my car is not the one in the garage.
With our Canadian weather getting colder (I'm in Markham), and my car getting older (2002 Acura 1.7EL) I feel that every winter my car is having more trouble starting up.
So I was just wondering if a Block Heater is a worth while investment.
I called the Acura dealer, he asked me for what car, I told him, and was quoted $105.xx for the parts alone.
I then called Part Source, was not asked for which car. and was quoted $34.xx for the parts. I asked him does it matter which car I drive? He said they were all generic.
So my questions are:
1. Are they really generic?
2. What are the differences between the $105 vs $34, if any.
3. I realize that I must plug in my car to an A/C outlet with an extension cord. So where does the plug into my car? Do I have to reach under my car everytime I need to plug it in? Or do I have to pop my hood? Or can I run the cord such that the end of the cord is next to the Acura emblem in the grill at the front of the car?
4. I read somewhere that it sucks up a lot of hydro power. And that I should use a timer (of course). But even with a timer, how much power does it use really?
Thanks for bearing with me, I hope some people can give me some feedback =D and perhaps help others on the forum.
Unfortunately my car is not the one in the garage.
With our Canadian weather getting colder (I'm in Markham), and my car getting older (2002 Acura 1.7EL) I feel that every winter my car is having more trouble starting up.
So I was just wondering if a Block Heater is a worth while investment.
I called the Acura dealer, he asked me for what car, I told him, and was quoted $105.xx for the parts alone.
I then called Part Source, was not asked for which car. and was quoted $34.xx for the parts. I asked him does it matter which car I drive? He said they were all generic.
So my questions are:
1. Are they really generic?
2. What are the differences between the $105 vs $34, if any.
3. I realize that I must plug in my car to an A/C outlet with an extension cord. So where does the plug into my car? Do I have to reach under my car everytime I need to plug it in? Or do I have to pop my hood? Or can I run the cord such that the end of the cord is next to the Acura emblem in the grill at the front of the car?
4. I read somewhere that it sucks up a lot of hydro power. And that I should use a timer (of course). But even with a timer, how much power does it use really?
Thanks for bearing with me, I hope some people can give me some feedback =D and perhaps help others on the forum.
#2
For the benefit of all: (repost from another forum)
"I bought an inline coolant heater (a Canadian brand) from PartSource 2 months ago. It's high quality & was strongly recommended by the sales associates ($45). It was installed in the upper portion of the lower radiator hose & the cord leads out through between the horizontal OEM grille fins. I leave the cord & plug coiled up around the radiator cap when not in use.
To plug it in, just raise the hood, unravel the cord, and lower the hood again gently, without slamming it shut. I also bought two plugs to attach between the inline coolant heater plug & my 80 ft heavy-duty, weather-proof extension cord. 1 is activated by an inline digital, outdoor programmable timer; and, the other is activated only when the ambient (outdoor) temperature reaches -12c or below / colder.
A few days after installing it, I plugged the inline coolant heater directly into an outlet for about 2 hours on a 5c morning to test; and, while instant heat via the blower fan was unavailable (as expected) the engine reached full operating temperature (according to the engine coolant temperature sensor) in less than half the usual time."
"I bought an inline coolant heater (a Canadian brand) from PartSource 2 months ago. It's high quality & was strongly recommended by the sales associates ($45). It was installed in the upper portion of the lower radiator hose & the cord leads out through between the horizontal OEM grille fins. I leave the cord & plug coiled up around the radiator cap when not in use.
To plug it in, just raise the hood, unravel the cord, and lower the hood again gently, without slamming it shut. I also bought two plugs to attach between the inline coolant heater plug & my 80 ft heavy-duty, weather-proof extension cord. 1 is activated by an inline digital, outdoor programmable timer; and, the other is activated only when the ambient (outdoor) temperature reaches -12c or below / colder.
A few days after installing it, I plugged the inline coolant heater directly into an outlet for about 2 hours on a 5c morning to test; and, while instant heat via the blower fan was unavailable (as expected) the engine reached full operating temperature (according to the engine coolant temperature sensor) in less than half the usual time."
#3
block heaters are gay, buy a remote starter and get it installed is like 200$ for both and start your car 5 minutes b4 you leave your house.And if its starting a little rough you should make sure you buy a decent battery with a high cold cranking amp rating and use 5w30 oil so its thinner at start up also turn the key to the on postion for 4 seconds and prime the fuel pump to get decent pressure in the fuel rail b4 you attempt to crank the engine over to start.All this will help in a good start combined with regular maintenence(plugs,fuel filter,etc..) and a decent starter of course.
Last edited by egb20; 16-Dec-2008 at 01:18 AM.
#5
block heaters are gay, buy a remote starter and get it installed is like 200$ for both and start your car 5 minutes b4 you leave your house.And if its starting a little rough you should make sure you buy a decent battery with a high cold cranking amp rating and use 5w30 oil so its thinner at start up also turn the key to the on postion for 4 seconds and prime the fuel pump to get decent pressure in the fuel rail b4 you attempt to crank the engine over to start.All this will help in a good start combined with regular maintenence(plugs,fuel filter,etc..) and a decent starter of course.
It seemed like the general census is that a block heater is better
#6
#7
the heater plug will be tucked inside your hood if you get it installed. if you park your car inside the garage its nice cause you dont have to go out in the cold to plug it but if your're parked outside... thats a different story. lol
#8
Well the whole point is to get the heater when your car is outside?
haha
So I went to Part Source and got to look at the thing.
It was the magnetic type? Sticks to some part of your engine and heats it.
So anyway, I talked to the guy, and he said that the Inline Coolant heater is better than the Block heater.
Does anyone have any feed back on that?
People say that the Block Heater can heat the oil and the coolant, but has less power than the Coolant heater which only heats the coolant but has more power?!
haha
So I went to Part Source and got to look at the thing.
It was the magnetic type? Sticks to some part of your engine and heats it.
So anyway, I talked to the guy, and he said that the Inline Coolant heater is better than the Block heater.
Does anyone have any feed back on that?
People say that the Block Heater can heat the oil and the coolant, but has less power than the Coolant heater which only heats the coolant but has more power?!
#10
I went to Canadian Tire.
Asked for a Block Heater, and he gave me a package with a label that said Freeze Plug (I'm guessing that's NOT the coolant heater)
so then I asked if there were Inline Coolant Heaters, and he said no and that this was all they had.
02 Acura 1.7EL and 02 Civic has same part number
$57.99
So my question is, is the Block Heater better or is a Coolant Heater better?
and I would not want me to fall out like the guy you saw.
Asked for a Block Heater, and he gave me a package with a label that said Freeze Plug (I'm guessing that's NOT the coolant heater)
so then I asked if there were Inline Coolant Heaters, and he said no and that this was all they had.
02 Acura 1.7EL and 02 Civic has same part number
$57.99
So my question is, is the Block Heater better or is a Coolant Heater better?
and I would not want me to fall out like the guy you saw.
#11
Either or would be ok in my books. What would be idea is an oil warmer. Nothing like trying to get proper lub when your oil is -20C or below.
BTW That person FORGOT to unplug there car hence the extension cord with the block heater in the intersection.
BTW That person FORGOT to unplug there car hence the extension cord with the block heater in the intersection.
#12
Well the freeze plug suppose to heat both coolant and oil (from what I read online)
so I suppose that's better
I guess I'll be getting the freeze plug then
thanks for the input!
and I'll remember to unplug!
so I suppose that's better
I guess I'll be getting the freeze plug then
thanks for the input!
and I'll remember to unplug!
#13
Oh forgot to add, since I will be putting in a freeze plug
I heard that you have to flush the coolant as well as other stuff you have to do.
and one of the things people said (on the web somewhere) that it would be good to replace the thermostat as well? is that true? Anything else I can do while I'm doing this?
I heard that you have to flush the coolant as well as other stuff you have to do.
and one of the things people said (on the web somewhere) that it would be good to replace the thermostat as well? is that true? Anything else I can do while I'm doing this?
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