Block Heater

Cost?

 

I don't know the cost. I got the block heater installed as part of winter tire, tonneau cover, roof rack package when I bought the truck off the lot. I use the block heater when it's -20 c (-4 F) or colder.

 

anything yet?

 

I ordered a Kat's from Advance Auto Parts, IIRC. I think it was on sale and I found a coupon code that dropped the price to less than the minimum $25 for free shipping; so, I had to add a couple little things.

I experimented a little with it monitoring the various temperature sensors. It mostly affects the water temperature... +~34F after an hour, +45F after 2hrs, +50 @ 3hrs. Transmission fluid went up ~13F@3hrs. Engine oil temp only went up ~10F@3hrs. (Temps from ScanGauge... I don't know if I believe the oil temp.) I put some thermal grease in there; but, it really didn't help... I probably didn't get enough in there. I might try to put some more; but, I honestly don't need a heater, so...

Mine wouldn't go all the way in and I had a hell of time figuring out why. It has a weird shape on the end and it would go a little further in one orientation; so, I tried sanding/grinding parts of the end of it with no luck. After I don't know how many attempts I finally got a picture of the the hole by blindly holding my phone up in there super awkwardly... that hole is totally smooth!!! WTF? Turns out the collar was a little too wide and was jamming up against transmission (or whatever). I ground a little flat spot on it; then, it slipped right in.

 

Can you share which X-Gauge command you used to get engine oil temp on the ScanGuage II?

 

I got it from the following post; but, as I said... I don't know if I trust it. It is ALWAYS within one increment of the transmission fluid temp "TF1"... and I don't think it's on their website; so, maybe they don't trust it either.

 

Thank you for replying. Unfortunately my ScanGuage firmware version is too old to try this.

If it’s roughly the same as the transmission temperature then I’d wonder if it’s a transmission reading.

 

You can send your ScanGuage II back for a firmware upgrade for $25

https://www.scangauge.com/support/upgrade/

 

its getting close to wintertime , any info from you guys using and installing block heaters,? any input from last year block heater installs?

 

These are the current/latest part numbers for the V6 from Toyota Canada:

PK5A4-89J10 - Heater, Block
PK5A4-89J25 - Cable, Extension (Block Heater to Bumper)
PK5A4-89J30 - Cable, Inlet (Bumper to Extension Cable)
PK5A4-89J40 - Cable, Home (Bumper to Power Source, 2.5m Long)
PK5A4-89J42 - Cable, Home (Bumper to Power Source, 5.0m Long - Optional)
PK5A4-89J44 - Cable, Home (Bumper to Power Source, 10m Long - Optional)

Price is about $195 for the heater and required cables. Labour is 1.5 hours as was stated earlier.

For the 4-cylinder, it all comes as a single kit, part number PU140-00912. Price is about $177, but labour is 2.5 hours. Optional different length cables are probably available for this one as well, but I didn't look them up, haha.

Jeff

 

I installed the Toyota oem block heater where I just zip tied the plug to the grill. Works fine. However it throws a code when I use it because of a air temperature reading difference from what the temperature is outside. Still have not gotten a good answer from the dealer on this.

 

What code are you getting? I've never seen a code related to installing a block heater. I'm also not aware of any control logic that looks at any air temperature difference. The engine only knows the temperature of the air coming in the intake and the temperature of the coolant in the block.

I would be very curious to know the code you're seeing.

Jeff

 

PO11B62, engine coolant temp/intake air signal compare failure. OEM part installed by the dealer, happens about every other time I use it. Dealer is trying to tell me it's because I park in a unheated garage. Opened a ticket with corporate, they have not been very helpful.

 

I live in frozen hell and I refuse to put one in my last Tacoma or my current one. Toyota still hasn't gotten with the program and made it a screw in block heater like Honda. Call me paranoid, but i'm not popping out a core plug to install a block heater

 

I took a look through the logic for that, and it is quite specific, and it does look like it's comparing the intake air temp with the water temp of the truck. Here's the logic behind the code.

Interesting way to check the temperature sensor(s) for a fault. Also difficult to diagnose, haha. But it does seem odd to me, I haven't heard of this occuring with a block heater to anyone else, but I suppose it's possible.

Jeff

 

The only Toyota engine still in use today (in North America) that requires a frost plug to be removed in the 4-cylinder in the Tacoma. All other Toyota engines use dry block heaters. (Unless you consider the FA20 engine a Toyota engine, but you shouldn't).

Jeff

 

Thanks for the reply. Yeah not a good deal. Toyota should buy me a scan tool so I can clear the code everytime it comes up if they are not going to fix it.

 

The main issue for you is likely that you're in the US (I'm assuming here), which means that it's not a Toyota USA accessory and so they're likely not super inclined to do much about an off-market accessory installed on your truck. If you were in Canada (again, I'm assuming), it might be easier to get the dealer/Toyota Canada to look into it for you.

Jeff

 

I have the parts on order to add a block heater to mine. Here is what I used.
https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Heaters/Kats-Heaters/KH11813.html
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/NOCO/329-GCP1E.html
Total was $88USD with shipping.
I'm thinking of mounting the port next to the fog light similar to the Toyota Canada model.
I went with the 6' cord on the port as I wasn't sure just how long I would need. I will most likely cut the plugs off both the heater and port and splice them together.

Parts are in transit now, I will update with some pics once I get it installed.

 

keep us posted on the block heater , camarasandcoffee