3rd Gen Block Heater Recall

Just got my block heater installed today. This was not a recall replacement, this was a new install. Mine didn't come with a block heater. Sure hope it's worth the $$.

 

It does NOT take an hour and a half to install a block heater lol

 

I know, nothing happens in a hurry at Kelowna Toyota, and an appointment means absolutely nothing... they just keep your truck all day. Hate the place!

 

How did your block heater perform this past week? I had mine plugged in for half a day and the truck barely started in -20. I am not sure if it's the battery or the block heater not working or not up to the task. On my tractor, I can tell it's working because when I plug it in I listen and it makes a sound like when you first plug in the kettle... I listened for that on my truck, but didn't really hear anything. Is there a way to test the block heater? Otherwise, I spent $400 for nothing... On the hopeful side, it started registering on the temp gauge at about 5 km down the road, and in 10 min was blowing hot air... my battery is the original 2017, so I am suspecting it at the moment.

 

I suspect battery. It's -25 to -30ish here the last little while and I haven't plugged in my block heater yet this year. Normal sluggish start but nothing concerning.

 

That is quite the scene with the Taco on fire in Post #1!

It doesn't get that cold here in Delaware...at least below 17F...which is the coldest I've experienced since 2006.

Here's an old thread I found while Googling what a "Block Heater" was and if I had one. It's an accessory I wouldn't want!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-block-heater.398333/

 

I have had my truck plugged in the past week or so with temps ranging from -20c to -30. It certainly starts easier than if it’s not plugged in, and I agree it warms up faster for sure.

As far as I can tell there is no way to ensure that the block heater is actually working though. My 06 Subaru block heater made a very faint noise if I put my ear to one wheel well, so I’m just running on faith with the Tacoma one.

 

I dug the cord out from under the back seat in -32C weather yesterday, had to bring it inside to warm up so I could uncoil it, then remembered that the plug on the truck is buried somewhere after my bumper install.

 

When it is really cold out, aim the temp reader gun at various part of the engine block and it should read at or above freezing when the outside ambient temp is -20 or whatever.

I have an aftermarket KATS engine block heater, available from etrailer online, that draws 400 watts. Block heaters range in power from 400 to 1500watts.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...ered-digital-temperature-reader-0574554p.html

 

Awesome thanks I'll try that! Atleast then I can make sure once a season at a minimum that all is working.

 

I use a timer on mine, it starts up at 4am and runs until 8am. I usually start it around 7:30 so it’s had 3ish hours.

Scanguage reads coolant temp if 15c on startup in -30c weather. It usually starts fine although this week I’ve had the trip odo reset which makes me think my original oem battery is also crapping out..

 

Block heaters have been used on millions of vehicles for many many decades now. This is a specific problem not an issue with "block heaters". Heck, other manufactures are having car fires from trailer connectors and tail lights. There are a thousand things on a car that can cause a fire, bad engineering is bad engineering.

 

I'm not familiar with the concept...and you're right about engineering on any product.

My son-in-law, who is studying to be an architect but has worked on cars most of his life, explained the concept of a Block Heater:

It's like a heating element in an electric kettle only it goes into the vehicle fluid system to warm up the engine block.

I understand now but from my experience, it just wasn't something I needed for my vehicles.

As for today's temps...

It was 8F overnight and feels like -8F according to my weather app.

The only thing I did was put a windsheild cover on my Sport.

Expected high for today is near 20F.

 

The Tacoma has a slightly different system. Instead of removing a frost plug and installing the engine block heater element into direct contact with the antifreeze, the engine block itself is cast with a cavity or slot that the heater slots into and then heats the metal that it is in contact with.

 

mine made the saddest beep when I unlocked the door... my first clue I guess that a battery is probably in my near future. I don't have a way of measuring the coolant temp other that it seemed to warm the cab sooner than expected in -20 weather.

 

test in with an ohm reader super easy touch the 2 ends to the prong on the cord plug if it reads current she works., not sure how that new block heater got installed crickets when you ask the dealer... is all you hear in the western provinces.

 

ok, I'm a bit of a rookie with electrical things... but I do have a multimeter. Which part of the cord plug and what setting for the ohms? Started it again today at about -3, and had plugged it in for a couple hours anyway. Very sad sound to the first crank... I think it's my battery

 

You don't really need to plug in a block heater unless it's -20C or colder and vehicle is outside. In a garage maybe -25C or colder. If I lived in Kelowna I'd never plug it in. If your battery is 5 yrs or older I'd just get a new one instead of messing about and worrying. Costco has as good of batteries as anywhere and good prices.

 

I have the truck outside and we did have -30 at night and several days of colder than -25. I live a bit above the valley bottom so it's colder up here. I do agree about the battery though, probably time to just get a new one before it leaves me stranded...

 

In addition to plugging in a block heater, when it gets -20*C, I hook a smart trickle charger to my battery.