3rd Gen Block Heater Recall

Yikes, that blows.

 

My insurance company paid to rebuild the house and paid out my truck. They're going after Toyota to get their money back. Likely a long drawn out process for them...

 

All these block heater problems make the pad heaters look good. I use 50W model on my 4-stroke snowmobile. Starts right up when it's sub -30C.
https://katsblockheater.com/block-heaters/all/engine-oil-pad-heater-150

 

'17 Tacoma block heater fire - Winnipeg, Canada, 2021/12/28:

Devastated.

 

That your truck? What happened?

 

Yikes

 

I plugged it in last night and the block heater failed within 2 hours. Horn was blaring continuosly and I saw smoke through the window of my house. I raced outside to unplug it and blast it with a small fire extinguisher, but it was too late. It took the fire department about 15 minutes to arrive. The flames must have been up to 20' high. The firewall worked well as all contents inside the cab were fine.

 

Damn. Glad you’re safe. Hope you didn’t have any house damage.

Since you’re in Winnipeg I’m guessing the block heater was working fine the last couple years?

 

In some parts of Canada the block heater is a required dealer installed accessory. Not required in my area but I had one installed by the dealer when I ordered the truck. I've been using it the past few days as it has been lower than -20C (-4F).

Appears the issues are with the dealer install moreso than the block heater.

Some numbers, at -23C (-9.4F) with the block heater plugged in for two hours before starting (I have it on a timer) engine oil and transmission fluid werre -8C (17F) at start up.

I don't plug it in unless it is down around -20C.

 

Thanks Antoin. Luckily no damage to adjacent buildings, and the fiber internet cable running directly above the truck withstood the heat of the fire.

Until now, I've had no issues with the block heater for the past few years, and I only use it when it's sub -30C (-22F).

 

From reading this thread, I gather the problem occurs when the block heater is not fully inserted (clipped) into the "pocket" in the engine block. The problem could be a faulty install OR could the heater work itself loose over time and rough roads at speed?

Can a visual inspection reveal a not properly seated heater? And if not a visual inspection, what about using a heat sensing gun around the heater area of the engine block after it has been plugged in for a while....I will be doing both.

 

that's incredibly lucky. You'd better play the lottery today.

 

that's a good point

let us know what you figure out and how you did it. Would be good to check.

Also everybody check your homeowners and car insurance is paid up

 

Holy shit, sorry to see this, glad everyone is safe

 

I had no idea there was a heater block on Tacoma's. I thought that diesel engines were the only ones that had them.

 

or could be worn wires shorting out between the block heater and the plug

 

It’s not factory but there is an OEM Toyota part that some of us had installed.

 

Canadian, Toyota OEM, Dealer Installed, block heater October 2020.

I guess I better check if this is an issue or recall.

 

I don't plug in vehicles unless it's colder than -20c

After seeing all this though I'll have to look I to that recall.

 

wow, anyone determine what in the heater is causing this?

To me this sounds like a very high amperage draw causing the cable to basically overheat and catch on fire, which in turn lights up all the plastic in the front. Wonder if that's what's happening here?