1HD-T Block Heater Frustration (1 Viewer)

[GreenPump]

Well, I hope your weekend is going better than mine.

I have previously done some research, and purchased a 35mm block heater from zerostart, with plans to install into the 35mm freeze plugs on the drivers (right hand) side of my 1993 HDJ81.

I found some posts on mud, and a few youtube videos of other folks performing similar installs on 1HZ and 1HDT. Cruiserparts appears to be selling this same heater:

https://shop.cruiserparts.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1527

Right side has four 35mm freeze plugs. I pulled my turbo out of the way, and popped out the front freeze plug.

I discovered that the elemement of the heater protrudes too far for this spot. I measured approximately 23mm of space from plug lip to back of the coolant passage. The heater is 25.5mm from element to seating lip.

Does anyone have helpful suggestions/experience in this area. I am thinking of returning this heater and switching to a different 35mm heater with a recessed element. Zerostart #3100098.

It looks like, from the zerostart catalog, the 3100104 is 600w and the 3100098 is 400w.

 

[rick_d]

When I last installed one it was on the intake (cold) side near the rear of engine adjacent to the oil check tube.

Don't put anything on the hot exhaust side that can't tolerate hundreds of degrees of temp.

 

[Squash]

Forget it and get the convection heater.
You pull the block drain plug 14mm deep socket. Remove tire and skirting foe easy access.
Kit comes with the block drain adapter to 5/8 hose, and a "Y" for the connection below your firewall heater valve.
These things heat and work.
Sometimes installed in ten minutes.
You don't even need to drain fluid because vaccum keeps it all in place.
Now if you're far from electricity then a Webasto is the key.

 

[GreenPump]

Kit comes with the block drain adapter to 5/8 hose, and a "Y" for the connection below your firewall heater valve.

Which kit?

 

[Squash]

Zerostart or Kat's
I use the 1500 watt units, but there are other wattages.

 

[GreenPump]

Zerostart or Kat's
I use the 1500 watt units, but there are other wattages.

I'm going to give this a try. Looks like I can order the zerostart 1500w on Amazon for $127. I have a webasto on the shelf for use in one of my Hilux builds, but in the case of the HDJ81, it will nearly always be in a place where I can plug it in. There is a fellow in Eastern Europe who rebuilds webasto units, as well as makes custom wiring harnesses, so you can run the webasto on a timer, and with a wireless key fob. He also wires in a lead for your fan, as long as the fan is switched to heat/defrost, it should blow warm air up onto the windshield while it is heating up.

https://www.amazon.com/Zerostart-3308003-Circulation-Diameter-Approved/dp/B002UNK9KQ?th=1

I will order this, install and report back.

As for the freeze plug which I knocked out already, what is my best course of action for replacement? As simple as putting the plug in the freezer and tapping it back in? Or use sealant?

 

[mudgudgeon]

As for the freeze plug which I knocked out already, what is my best course of action for replacement? As simple as putting the plug in the freezer and tapping it back in? Or use sealant?

I would order a new one and replace it.
I would not take a chance on the plug being out of shape and leaking

 

[AirheadNut]

I would order a new one and replace it.
I would not take a chance on the plug being out of shape and leaking

This. I wouldn't trust a used freeze plug.

There is a fellow in Eastern Europe who rebuilds webasto units, as well as makes custom wiring harnesses, so you can run the webasto on a timer, and with a wireless key fob. He also wires in a lead for your fan, as long as the fan is switched to heat/defrost, it should blow warm air up onto the windshield while it is heating up.

I probably got my Webasto from the same person. Absolutely love it, on a -15ºF morning I can run it for 30 minutes and the engine starts like it is a hot summer day, no glow. Much more cost effective than getting a brand new one.

 

[rick_d]

Clean hole and use a new freeze plug.

 

[franklin40]

i love the webasto too! best winter starting device i’ve ever used. i had a convection heater on another diesel and it just wasnt ever enough. what id like to see happen is a remote start option from a phone for the webasto. i know there was a sim card that was available in europe to no one in canada carried it.

for freeze plug id go new. i had one pop out on my 3fe and it only took two blocks to start overheating! you lose a lot of fluid fast when one comes out!!

 

[Squash]

Webasto tt-evo bluetooth enabled, remote timed starts.
Great if you are working, and enjoy some heat on start up.
Btw
Plumbed fuel feed to Webasto just before the primer because the unit has its own little filter, and pump.

 

[pHarps]

There is a fellow in Eastern Europe who rebuilds webasto units, as well as makes custom wiring harnesses, so you can run the webasto on a timer, and with a wireless key fob. He also wires in a lead for your fan, as long as the fan is switched to heat/defrost, it should blow warm air up onto the windshield while it is heating up.

I'm curious... do you have a link to a contact?
I don't always have electrical close to where I let mine sit, this sounds like a good solution.

 

[GreenPump]

I'm curious... do you have a link to a contact?
I don't always have electrical close to where I let mine sit, this sounds like a good solution.

This is the ebay seller. I reached out to him before ordering. Took a while for shipping but worth it.

 

[pHarps]

Excellent, thanks!
I’ll take a look, it’d be very helpful when I come back to airports!

 

[GreenPump]

So, I ended up replacing the freeze plug on right hand side of the block.

I installed the zerostart circulating heater. I haven't had a seriously cold day to try it out on yet, it's been around 20 degrees F. This weekend will be VERY cold, below 10 degrees or so, that should give it a good go.

Installed just as @Squash suggested.

Hard to see but connected to strut mount.

Had my intake manifold off for other projects so easy install with lots of space.

 

[GreenPump]

-6 Fahrenheit today, circulating heater is up to the task. I need to get a short weatherproof extension cord and a timer for the garage outlet and I'm all set.

 

[logicbyondreaso]

I read a post here that installed a block heater (Toyota Part C0140-00126-S2) into a 1HDT on the LH (pump side). They used the 2nd from rear freeze plug.
While my motor is out, I went to install the heater into the same location as depicted below. However, to my surprise the heating element would not fit. It would interfere with internal casting of the block. Behind the freeze plug there is a stiffener that the element is hitting. It will not fit in this location.
My only thought is that this is a new block, part number 11400-17073, and the one in above thread is a earlier year/casting.

I did speak with ENS Industrial (Ens Industrial | Discover Durable Solutions - https://www.ensindustrial.ca/) from who I purchased the heater from. They said they work only on 1HZ and install the block heater on the passenger side (exhaust manifold side) into the most rear freeze plug.
My concern with that location is heat from the turbo and manifold.
Anyone else have experience with this block heater?

Where I tried to install it:

Where ENS Industrial installs this heater for 1HZ:

 

[OGBeno]

Run it where ENS said to. I think you will be fine.

Also, what is your block and bearing cap casting numbers? Would be interesting to know casting dates.

 

[logicbyondreaso]

Run it where ENS said to. I think you will be fine.

Also, what is your block and bearing cap casting numbers? Would be interesting to know casting dates.

Block - 41115
Cap - 41114

 

[OGBeno]

Block - 41115
Cap - 41114

Nice. Recent builds.