Block Heater

[mike d]

Will this bock heater work?

Amazon.com: Kats 11414 400 Watt 35mm Frost Plug Heater: Automotive

Lots of 35mm models from Kats on Amazon. Is this 35mm the correct size? They also have 36mm.

Amazon.com: Kats 11405 400 Watt 36mm Frost Plug Heater: Automotive

 

[BirfMark]

Good question - I've been looking at a tank type heater myself, after hearing people having problems with the leaking freeze plug style like you're looking at.

Amazon.com: Kats 13150 1500 Watt Aluminum Circulating Tank Heater: Automotive

My thought is that if the tank type heater goes bad, it should be easy enough to bypass it with a simple hose splice. A freeze plug style would require you to have to install a new freeze plug (which isn't bad, if you can get at it easily). From a little research on here, a lot of people are installing the freeze plug style on the exhaust (USPS) side of the block, though I believe they're intended to be installed on the driver's side. The driver's side looks like it would be a lot more difficult to install to me.

 

[mike d]

I've been thinking about that exact style tank type too. 1500w is a ton of current, so I'd probably go for the 1000w model to keep the draw under 10 amps. It seems like a more difficult install than a freeze plug type. It also uses much more electricity; but if it heats up 2-3 times quicker it's a wash. It needs to sit lower than the engine for the siphon feed. Would the best hose routing use some type of 5/8" hose nipple that threads into the block drain and return to one of the heater hoses? I assume you couldn't get full circulation through the system with the thermostat closed.

 

[firetruck41]

I just used a micrometer to check the Toyota Canada block heater I have. It is waiting to be installed... Anyway, the part that is inserted into the freeze plug hole, is 34.75mm, the lip/flange that sits outside the block is 37.90mm

 

[mike d]

That's great info. It looks like that 35mm Kats heater will probably work. Did you look at the picture of the Kats? Any chance it's the same unit you got from Toyota?

 

[wearsabrowncoat]

A search on block heaters will give you some threads were the Toyota block heater is pictured.

 

[firetruck41]

Not identical to the Toy CA model (it is in its original package), but it looks like it ought to work, this coming from someone who has yet to install one... so take it for what it's worth