2018 Block heater question

[Alabtech]

Any 2018+ owners installed or, have had, a block heater installed. I purchased a Zerostart 3100129 found what I believe is the factory hole for it, but it looks like there is a metal casting partially blocking it. Am I in the wrong location? Does the bell housing need to be shifted just to install the heater? First photo shows the hole, drivers side rear of the engine near the cat. Second photo shows the tab coming off the bell housing.

Thanks in advance mud.

Chris

 

[RET2]

Any 2018+ owners installed or, have had, a block heater installed. I purchased a Zerostart 3100129 found what I believe is the factory hole for it, but it looks like there is a metal casting partially blocking it. Am I in the wrong location? Does the bell housing need to be shifted just to install the heater? First photo shows the hole, drivers side rear of the engine near the cat. Second photo shows the tab coming off the bell housing.

Thanks in advance mud.

Chris

View attachment 2447199
View attachment 2447200

Look for a post from Taco2cruiser he just posted a pic of where it was and what it looked like.

 

[Alabtech]

Look for a post from Taco2cruiser he just posted a pic of where it was and what it looked like.

All right thanks, looks like I’m in the right spot.

Look for a post from Taco2cruiser he just posted a pic of where it was and what it looked like.

All right, thanks, looks like I’m in the right spot. Not sure why my bell housing has additional material compared to the picture he posted.

 

[RET2]

All right thanks, looks like I’m in the right spot.

All right, thanks, looks like I’m in the right spot. Not sure why my bell housing has additional material compared to the picture he posted.

I have felt your pain, you know the old standby Oh you have one of those.

 

[Alabtech]

I have felt your pain, you know the old standby Oh you have one of those.

Haha, yup.

 

[KLF]

I have installed one in my '15 LC, I can't imagine it would be different. You need some special magic heat-conducting grease when you slide that thing into the back of the block. Seems like they could have put a ketchup packet of the stuff in with the heater, it's a nuisance to buy a whole tube, as I'll probably never need to use it again.

This is the stuff: Amazon product ASIN B0044NI2M2
I had less trouble getting the heater installed, than I did getting the wire routed safely around the exhaust where I felt comfortable that it wouldn't get melted. Then, it's too short to reach all the way to the front bumper so you can have a pigtail hanging out for easy access. I solved this with a NOCO connector that's on my front air dam, just by the license plate, it gives you ~18" more cord to reach, and it's a waterproof shore power connection that makes it really easy.

 

[stonepa]

I have installed one in my '15 LC, I can't imagine it would be different. You need some special magic heat-conducting grease when you slide that thing into the back of the block. Seems like they could have put a ketchup packet of the stuff in with the heater, it's a nuisance to buy a whole tube, as I'll probably never need to use it again.

This is the stuff: Amazon product ASIN B0044NI2M2
I had less trouble getting the heater installed, than I did getting the wire routed safely around the exhaust where I felt comfortable that it wouldn't get melted. Then, it's too short to reach all the way to the front bumper so you can have a pigtail hanging out for easy access. I solved this with a NOCO connector that's on my front air dam, just by the license plate, it gives you ~18" more cord to reach, and it's a waterproof shore power connection that makes it really easy.

View attachment 2447329

awesome. I see they make a 15 amp 2 plug version which will be perfect for my block heater and battery heater.

 

[Alabtech]

I have installed one in my '15 LC, I can't imagine it would be different. You need some special magic heat-conducting grease when you slide that thing into the back of the block. Seems like they could have put a ketchup packet of the stuff in with the heater, it's a nuisance to buy a whole tube, as I'll probably never need to use it again.

This is the stuff: Amazon product ASIN B0044NI2M2
I had less trouble getting the heater installed, than I did getting the wire routed safely around the exhaust where I felt comfortable that it wouldn't get melted. Then, it's too short to reach all the way to the front bumper so you can have a pigtail hanging out for easy access. I solved this with a NOCO connector that's on my front air dam, just by the license plate, it gives you ~18" more cord to reach, and it's a waterproof shore power connection that makes it really easy.

View attachment 2447329

I have installed one in my '15 LC, I can't imagine it would be different. You need some special magic heat-conducting grease when you slide that thing into the back of the block. Seems like they could have put a ketchup packet of the stuff in with the heater, it's a nuisance to buy a whole tube, as I'll probably never need to use it again.

This is the stuff: Amazon product ASIN B0044NI2M2
I had less trouble getting the heater installed, than I did getting the wire routed safely around the exhaust where I felt comfortable that it wouldn't get melted. Then, it's too short to reach all the way to the front bumper so you can have a pigtail hanging out for easy access. I solved this with a NOCO connector that's on my front air dam, just by the license plate, it gives you ~18" more cord to reach, and it's a waterproof shore power connection that makes it really easy.

View attachment 2447329

Thanks, but it’s not a lube issue. There is a piece of metal in the way. Not sure if something changed for 2018 or if it’s just my LC, but the heater hole is not accessible.

 

[Alabtech]

I was able to get a better picture for reference.