C block heater

Plus if you plug into your neighbors house it's free

 

Nice idea. I'd try it, but my closest neighbor is more than 1/4 mile down the road.

 

I'm gonna try this today... I can do this from opening the hood? I have to unscrew that thing? when I remove that hose will that pink fluid come out?

 

Yes a good amount of the pink coolant fluid will come out (if your coolant is pink, it may be a different color). I did not need to add coolant afterwards, but check the level when you are finished to be sure. You should see the coolant tank just behind the hose it will have the same color fluid in it. It has full and low levels marked.

Then you unscrew the valve and insert the plug. Put everything back together and your done! All can be done from the top of the car by opening the hood.

Good Luck. Let us know how you make out.

 

I would say you have to check and double check the level after you'll drive for a little bit. Your coolant level may not drop in the surge tank while your car was standing still. In order to make sure that all the air is out of the system you have to run the engine (read coolant pump) for a little bit so all the air from the ICE will be pushed out to the surge tank and from there out of your system.

 

Can some one who has already installed the block heater post some pic of it. Also show/explain where the cord goes and anything else that some one who. Does not have one should know.

Thanks for all the hard work you guys have already done and (fingers crossed) will do!

 

True. I didn't mention this, but even still, I did not need to add coolant.

 

I can post some pics of what I did. I am happy with where it is and it is working well, but I'd like to see what anyone else did too.

I try to get a picture up tonight.

 

I think I can do this, but what year do I order? I have no idea what year a gen 2 is.

 

I selected 2012 when I went through Prius C accessories. Shouldn't matter tho as I've read that the Gen II and III take the same plug.

 

Sorry to be a pest but have you been able to get any pic yet. Im eagerly waiting

 

Being a pest is sometimes a good thing. Between rainy days and a busy schedule this kinda slipped my mind. The friendly reminder was definitely needed. I should be able to do this tonight when I get home from work.

 

Weekly friendly prodding...

* poke. ...poke poke poke...*

 

I just installed my block-heater last night, and my install is very similar to Nic's. I just hid more of the wiring in a pocket of space next to the headlight and zip tied it in place. I only have a short pigtail in front of the radiator support so it doesn't get lost somewhere in the bumper or interfere with the hood release latch.

The only snag with installation is you have to temporarily remove the transmission vent [?] with a 14mm wrench in order to align the heater element with the hole in the block. Having skinny dexterous hands helped a bunch.

*Open hood
*14mm wrench: remove transmission vent
*thermal grease: stuff a bunch in the block hole, lube up the heater element
*install heater element into block. Note you'll have to keep the element's flat-spot face down so it'll clear the wiring harness. After clearing the wiring harness, rotate forward 90°, then the metal clip will snap into place around a tab in the engine block
* re-install transmission vent
*route wire for heater element wherever you like. I routed mine under most of the upper coolant lines, in front of the HSD electronics box, above the driver side chassis rail, looped around a few times, then up through an aperture in the radiator mount to the baffle on top fo the front bumper. Keep away from radiator fan, and try to maintain clearance from everything.
*Zip tie to non-sharp and not-hot hard-points. Make sure the wiring won't vibrate or fall into dangerous or precarious places.
*Plug into an all-weather extension cord that'll handle >400W continuous. Plug into a heavy-duty timer and dial it in to however much time your car likes to be warmed up.
*Enjoy a warm car on a cold winter morning.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Great instructional steps. I have some images from my install I did today.
I did a stealth wire routing on mine. I hope this gives others some help and ideas on how to DIY

This is the part number that came from a Toyota dealer when I ordered mine from the PC Store.
It fit correctly, but the install sheet isn't gonna help you


I used a long and short 14mm to make access to the trans vent easier.


Above Image: The trans vent.
Below image: The heater assembly itself and the tube of heat sink paste.


Above image: Goober the element barrel liberally with the paste. Put some inside the hole too.
Below image: It will push the paste up. Just use a rag to wipe it off so it doesn't run onto your engine.


Above image: I tied my power cord to the wire harness at the top of the trans.
Below image: I ran my power cord forward and up to the radiator core support upper cross bar.

I ran the power cord through the upper crossover bar.
Then ran it out to the right hand side of the grill for an easy access location for my parking spot and
power supply feed. All in all, this took me about 30 minutes to complete. I would charge my customers $100 dollars for this install and wire it for their specific requirements

 

Has somebody managed to install this without disconnecting the coolant thingy? Sounds very scary.

 

Yes! My post was done without opening the coolant system Just work under the hose to get the vent out.
All you need is a 14mm wrench to remove it. No need to remove the hose. That's a waste of time and it's
a mess too.

 

Did mine today, 15 minutes, if you have a wratcheting 14mm wrench it makes it even easier.
My problem is that the plug will not fit through the front grill, it's too big... I'm thinking of one of these in where the fog lights would go..


Thoughts?

 

I have read through most of these posts for the block heater and never seen my specific questions addressed. How much power does this thing draw, and do you leave it plugged in all night or just plug it in shortly before expected trips (like 5am if I leave for work at 7am).