Winter is coming - block heater installation

[Miescha]

... look down near the oil filter if you have a chance..if you see the flat (3 wire) electric cord plugged into the side of the block (on the block heater unit) adjacent the oil filter - that would confirm it.

It is definately on the DS, but definately not at the oil filter. My filter is much more forward of the fire wall. The cord for the block heater is routed past the oil filter almost to the fire wall. It disappears toward the block just as it passes above the starter. I can't contort my head (or anything else) enough to see where it connects to the block. I tried viewing from various angles above the and below without success.

My guess is that it was installed at the factory only b/c I don't know how anyone at the dealer would get to this location.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[Miescha]

if you are worried you will wear out the block heater, just order one, search the threads on block heaters and you will find several sources. Mine was $13 including shipping from Canada off of ebay.

we use the at work for our ambulances, they are plugged in year round and I have never heard of one failing. ..

Thanks Firetruck - I had already made the same decision. I'm just trying to locate one (or two) now. I hope to get the same deal you got and for $13 I think I will buy two (just in case I get another 80 in the future).

I take it those ambulances are Ford diesels? Great trucks!

 

[firetruck41]

My guess is that it was installed at the factory only b/c I don't know how anyone at the dealer would get to this location.

I do not believe there was a factory option for block heater, for NA.

 

[concretejungle]

Thanks Firetruck - I had already made the same decision. I'm just trying to locate one (or two) now. I hope to get the same deal you got and for $13 I think I will buy two (just in case I get another 80 in the future).

I take it those ambulances are Ford diesels? Great trucks!

I think firetruck got mine . . . .

I also got the one off ebay from probably the same guy. I just got the wrong one. Too small in diam. It's a ####-00143-### in stead of a ###-00144-##.

 

[e9999]

mine is on the DS, closer to the front

 

[Miescha]

I do not believe there was a factory option for block heater, for NA.

Well it is certainly not listed on my original window sticker - so I guess it was not a factory option

I just wonder how the dealer got to that location - I can't even see it with my big head.

 

[Miescha]

Can you Hear your block heater?

So with all this talk of block heaters, I went out this morning to see if I could actually feel any heat in my engine compartment as the result of the heater being plugged in all night with temps in the 18 degree (F) range.

I noticed that there is a steam hissing sound coming from my engine (not sure where exactly). I don't recall ever hearing this before, but I must say I never paid attention either.

Does anyone else have this?

No sound is present in either of my other two vehicles with block heaters.

 

[MARLIN375]

Being paranoid about punching out a frost plug and having the wrong heater to put back in the hole (thanks to concretejungle).....I ordered another one.

this time part no C0140-00144-S2
It arrived today and I compared it to my previously ordered one C0140-00134-S2

They are both the same heaters.

the difference is the cord,
on the 144 heater, the cord has some heat insulation zap-strapped to it.(naked cord rated for 90*C) Most likely for install on exhaust side of block.

the 134 heater has no heat insulation but the wire comes out of the plug-boot at 90* and lays flat against the block, it is also rated for slightly higher temp 105*C.

Someone mentioned that the lx450 install was on the driver side.
That was how I ordered the 134 heater (as a lexi with 1FZFE) we dont have landcruisers in Canada....so our dealers dont have access to options that did not exist......clear as mud.

I think the 144 is best for the exhaust side install, and the 134 for the intake side.

 

[concretejungle]

just don't get the 00143! That's what i got and the heater element is to narrow and will not fill the plug hole completely.

 

[Miescha]

Where is the part number located? Is it somewhere that it can be seen (read) after install? I'd like to figure out which one I have just out of curiousity - but I'm sure as heck not going to take it out!

I am willing to crawl under the truck though and poke around - I can't seem to see the thing from above. As mentioned before, the cord just disappears toward the block as it passes the starter nearing the firewall.

I really don't know how the dealer got the thing in there, or why they chose that location.

 

[concretejungle]

Where is the part number located? Is it somewhere that it can be seen (read) after install? I'd like to figure out which one I have just out of curiousity - but I'm sure as heck not going to take it out!

on the one i purchased the part # was on the box. I couldn't find a part # anywhere on the element.

 

[Miescha]

on the one i purchased the part # was on the box. I couldn't find a part # anywhere on the element.

That's what I figured, but I thought I would check.

 

[MARLIN375]

There are numbers in the brass casting........but as concretejungle and I have confirmed they are the same numbers on the correct and incorrect units, in other words, the casting numbers are of no-use to you.

Both heaters came in a "Toyota Canada" box with part number on the end.

 

[96r50]

MTJohn,

How is the block heater secured into the block? Does the screw on the outside expand it into the hole?
Thanks

 

[MARLIN375]

The seal is an O-ring, and the unit is held in place by wings that spread out as you tighten the allen screw in the center. Do not over tighten, just enough to hold it in place.

 

[96r50]

Cool!

 

[Miescha]

Heater Dead

Dang this sucks. As Karma would seem to have it, I think my block heater is dead.

It has been colder than usual the last few days (7 degrees F when I got up this morning). So I figured it was a good time to check the block heater operation. I used my handy new infrared temp sensor to take a few readings on various parts of the engine. Sadly, everything was just the same ranging from 4 deg to 11 deg. On my other vehicles with block heaters, I got readings from 33 deg to 45 deg on the block.

Also, I didn't hear the normal 'hissing' sound under the hood that I usually get after leaving the block heater plugged in all night.

I guess I'm off to source another block heater.

Anyone know if there is a way to test my current unit?

 

[96r50]

Dang this sucks. As Karma would seem to have it, I think my block heater is dead.

It has been colder than usual the last few days (7 degrees F when I got up this morning). So I figured it was a good time to check the block heater operation. I used my handy new infrared temp sensor to take a few readings on various parts of the engine. Sadly, everything was just the same ranging from 4 deg to 11 deg. On my other vehicles with block heaters, I got readings from 33 deg to 45 deg on the block.

Also, I didn't hear the normal 'hissing' sound under the hood that I usually get after leaving the block heater plugged in all night.

I guess I'm off to source another block heater.

Anyone know if there is a way to test my current unit?

I just checked mine today with a cold engine by plugging it in and listening for the hissing sound. Make sure when you test it that the power is on, and not on a timer

 

[Miescha]

Good point. Sadly, I have a direct connection (no timer) and my cord has the nice little built-in light that lets you know the cord has power.

I'm off to search flee bay for a new Canadian sourced block heater.

 

[concretejungle]

Good point. Sadly, I have a direct connection (no timer) and my cord has the nice little built-in light that lets you know the cord has power.

I'm off to search flee bay for a new Canadian sourced block heater.

I ordered one off ebay and happend to be one number off on the part number. What you need is part number C0140-0044-52. I spoke to a parts salesman at a canadian Toyota and he stocks them. His number is 250-828-7966.

My mistake was i ordered this: C0140-0043-52
I needed: C0140-0044-52


Just know, that if you get the wrong block heater, you better have a spare freeze plug to hammer back into the block. just ask how i know.....