TDI block heater

[dromader driver]

Anyone done any work with a block heater or have one installed. Think snow and first light starting.

Thanks

[Homestar]

I've fitted around 50 or more block heaters to generators over the years but not to a vehicles engine, but there are nice little block heaters that fit where one of the expansion plugs goes and tightens up on a gasket to seal. Knock out a plug and fit them, simple job. Those small ones ranged from 300 to 1000 watts - all 240 volt.

The bigger ones were external and big engines could have 2 x 3000watt heaters on them. 😁

[justinc]

Another possibility is fitting a webasto diesel heater and a 12v circulating water pump. If you set it up with a digital timer you can set it to come on at 5am for 30mins or similar to warm the coolant up. Can also use it as a space heater if you have a wagon and want to camp in it😊

[austastar]

Hi,
Tas Fire Service fitted Mowarm heaters in the radiator hose of their trucks years ago and then had to install timers to only heat during the hours the vehicle were likely to be cold started. The power costs were a bit of a shock on the first bill.
They worked well, and had special power sockets that ejected the power lead when the ignition was turned on.
Cheers

[Bigbjorn]

Most Mustang skid steer loaders had them. They were built up in the mid-west snow belt. The heaters are 110 volt though. I don't know enough about electrical smoke to know whether they can be changed to work on 240 volt. Search for a wrecker of earthmoving and construction equipment. Most of these sold in OZ would never have had the block heater used.

[Homestar]

Don’t connect a 110 volt heater to 240 volts - the outcome won’t be very pleasant...

[Beery]

Ive got one of the Hot Frog heaters with the pump in it to put on my 2.2 at some stage. Only good when you've got access to a power point obviously.