Block heater install. DIY?

It is quite cold here this week so I need to get the block heater installed on my truck. They have the part here at the dealership for $90 but they say 1.5 hours for install ($90 + install = $280 +tax).

Can I do this myself? Any warranty issues if I do? And will it take me 1.5 hours?

 

Yes, you can do it yourself, and no it won't take you 1.5 hours to do so. There's a video of the install on here somewhere, if I find it I'll edit this post.

Edit:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...ll-v6-block-heater-today-any-advice-tips.html

 

Question: Did you buy your truck in Canada? I thought all vehicles came standard with a block heater.

 

Not to speak for the OP, but I thought I remembered a thread saying he purchased a US truck. I think that thread was for getting the leaf spring TSB in Canada.

 

nope. bought it in the US. It did not sound good starting up this morning. Now I get the honour of installing stuff in -14 degree weather instead of 50 degree weather that I could have done it in last week...

thanks for the help!

 

I have seen the instructions for installing the heater in the V6 (maybe same in the 4cyl?). If I remember right:

Clean out hole, apply grease, insert heater until the catch 'clicks', route wires, install wire ties.

 

Just got one installed on a V6 in the US for $118, parts and labor included. $280 hurts!

A question about block heaters though. I just moved north from Oklahoma, never had to use one before. Do you need to unplug it before you start the truck?

 

No, but if you do not unplug it you are simply wasting electricity since the operating engine will warm up faster than using the block heater.

 

x2, and you run the risk or forgetting to unplug it and driving off with it plugged in (at least I can see myself doing something stupid like that).

 

Been there. Done that. A tip to remind yourself is to string the cord up and over your driver side mirror.

 

Been a really cold winter up north this year and giving some thought to installing a block heater this spring.

Anyone know of a cheap online source to purchase the Toyota block heater?

 

This is as cheap as I've seen.

http://www.metrotpn.com/ProductDetails.aspx?CollectionID=13&ProductID=191&SortIndex=9

 

Thanks, ordered one today. Been really cold up here this year and that block heater looks like an easy install.........during the summer time

 

It has been a cold week(-30 to -40C) here in the Prairie Provinces and you do need a block heater. Manufactors use to include the block heaters in vehicles, not so much anymore. A lot of them will charge a $200 or so fee to have one put in. My last car(2010 VW Golf) didn't come with a block heater. I never plugged it in the winter, it always started. But it ran straight synthetic and had a great battery.
Like others have said on the board, it shouldn't take you 1.5 hours to do it. It does make a difference in cold times like this week. I would suggest OP to wait until it warms up. You can't work on your truck when your hands and feet are covered in frost bite.

 

I picked one up from the dealership a couple years back for $45.00. Once you find the mounting location it takes about a half hour to do the install.

 

My 2013 came with the block heater. Or at least it appears to have. I have the plug on the front bumper. I plugged it in. Someone said your supposed to hear it or something. Like a humming. How do you know it’s on an working? I couldnt hear anything once it was plugged in. Is there a sound or video clip someone has of itworking or in action?

 

one additional thing to include during the install is to coat the hole and block heater element with a heat sink compound so it makes good thermal contact with the block. Just like when you install a heat sink on a new PC CPU...

I used Super Lube 3 oz. Tube Heat Sink Compound-98003 - The Home Depot

 

You can hear the ones that are actually installed in the coolant (like when they replace a freeze plug with the block heater). Sounds like an electric kettle heating.

The tacoma one is installed on a hole in the engine block and is just in touch with metal so i doubt you can hear anything

 

The 2.7 engines use a block heater that’s installed through a freeze plug hole. Mine definitely makes the electric kettle sound lol.

 

When I was living in Chicago area, I had block heater and I used an oil dipstick heater, really made a difference after I went to go to work and engine didn't even grunt! If you use dipstick heater make sure you plug in when you get home and oil is hot