GEN III Engine Block Heater Installation

I also sent FireEngineer a shout (PM) looking for the same help on a 2010. I'm in Naperville (about 30 mi SW). Are you interested in meeting maybe at my place or FireEngineers if he up for showing us?

 

FireEngineer will prob come over and do it for you. I think he has that offer out there/

 

Hey, calm down guys.

The heater install on the Gen III is a mixed bag. It is easier to get to from below, except a wire harness retainer must be unbolted to be able to move the harness to position the heater horizontal to insert. Other than that, the cord must be kept away from the exhaust manifold and then routed up front. Though it won't be the 10 minute job of a Gen II, it should be maybe 30 minutes tops with a little more practice.

And yes if you PM me, I'll generally be more than willing to come to you within 7 hours of Chicago. Any longer and I'll have to arrange a road trip.

Wayne

 

My engine block heater should be shipping this week, I could meet in Naperville.

 

Wayne, any chance you can make it to Alaska? Just kidding. Just curious, do you recommend a cheap source for the heater or does PC have the best price going?

Peter

 

Wayne, I used the Link to go to the Chicago Prius Group and find it interesting. I can, however, not find anything on the website about how to join? I live in Northern Indiana, between La Porte and Michigan City.
-Oz

 

There is a contact us link on the web site. Or just email us at chicagopriusgroup, at, sbcglobal.com. Just shoot us an email and we'll put you on the member roles.

Wayne

 

And with all the Chicago area Prius looking for an install, it looks like it's time for a ChicagoPriusGroup group block heater install party.

Wayne

 

Any plans for a return visit to western NC and the Boone area?

I'll be spending Thanksgiving in Plainfield and could do it at that time but would like to have it before then if at all possible.

 

I'll be swinging through the Virginia/West Virginia area this weekend. But Thanksgiving in Plainfield is good too, your choice.

Wayne

 

What part of Virginia?

I'm not sure if I can get one that quick, but if I can and you're close enough, I can meet up with you somewhere along the way.

 

Just got my EBH. It has instruction in English and French as its a Toyota Canada part, (still part # PU140-00900)
Actually, the instructions are for a 2007 Lexus LS460.

I sent a message to the Chicago Prius group, looking forward to installing this and meeting up with others.

Wayne, good luck on the East Coast this weekend.

 

Yours had instructions? (mine didn't)

I got the same Part number (and the dual-language French)

 

Hi Tom, I don't know if the plan was to meet in Naperville, it was just a possibility. I'll go wherever is easiest for Wayne (who is now traveling on the east coast). My driveway and garage are certainly open, but it should be Wayne's call.

My garage might be a bit difficult for ramps as it has an epoxy floor that can be a bit slippery, the driveway is a good slope too (concrete). I do live on a fairly huge culdesac (about 150ft diameter) that would house about 50 prii though (that's be a site for the neighbors ). I have ramps, chocks, and a floor jack that could help the cause.

Dave

 

Get a chance to try the Gen 3 in the snow yet? I'm also in AK, considering the gen 3. I had a Gen 2, and wasn't pleased with the behavior in the snow.. namely, I didn't have traction control, but when the car detected slippage it would stutter.

Thanks,
Grant

 

Yes, you had TC, all Gen2 Prius cars have it. It really wasn't TC, it was "protect the PSD." A "real" TC system will apply the brake to the spinning wheel. The Prius TC just cuts power. The TC in my FJ applies the brake to the spinning wheel

Depending on how aggressive the TC was, it could leave you helpless at an intersection once the light turned green, especially if one front wheel was on bare pavement and the other wheel on ice

The 2004-2006 Prius appeared to have the most aggressive TC. On "all season" tires, my '04 was completely helpless at an icy intersection once the light turned green. I damn near got creamed at an intersection at Bishop Grandin and Waverly in Winnipeg, due to the car just stopping in 4 inches of snow.

With studded aggressive winter tires, my Prius was much improved on snow and ice. I had a chance to test drive a new '08 last year when there was still a bit of snow on the ground, and that Prius had much better TC response