Block Heater Install (Write Up)

[RONE]

I ordered a "dry" type block heater for my 5.7L Tundra. This means you do NOT have to drain/refill the antifreeze and there is no chance of leaking coolant, as this heater does not immerse in the coolant. The hole for installation is present on all of our motors, it's as simple as buying the $30 part and spending 30 minutes installing it.

Here's the link for ordering the block heater:
http://www.trdparts4u.com/PD-00213-00900.aspx?MakeID=1

You will only need 1 tool for this installation, and that's a pair of wire cutters for clipping the ends off the zip ties you use when routing the wires. You'll also need some zip ties as there are only 6 included with the block heater and I didn't think that was enough.

Here are some photos to show where you'll be looking to locate the hole for the heater

Step 1: open box and make sure you have all the necessary parts (heating element, power cord, thermal grease, zip ties).

Step 2: lie down next to the driver's side door, with your head towards the engine.

Step 3: slide under the truck and locate the exhaust on the driver's side of the engine. Just behind the header you'll be able to see the hole for the block heater.

Step 4: you'll see an electrical connection mounted just beneath where you need to work. Pull the connector off the metal mounting bracket to allow yourself a little extra slack in the cables so you can squeeze your hands further up.

Step 5: once you've located the hole for the block heater, go ahead and liberally apply the thermal grease to the heating element - be sure to not get any of the grease on the prongs that the power cord hooks onto. Now put the rest of the grease (should be about 1/2 the container of grease) directly into the hole on the engine. My only tip for making this easier is after applying the grease to the heating element, cut the entire end of the grease packaging off so that it comes out very easily (because when you jam your hands between the exhaust and the engine there isn't much room to be trying to squeeze the grease tube).

Step 6: put the heating element into the hole, but be sure and make note of the alignment of the clip on the heating element and the spot on the engine block where the clip will hook to. You'll be in an awkward position with your arms shoved above your head and not able to see anything, but keep at it and you'll finally get the heating element in the hole. At this point the block heater will slide into the hole, but because it is a snug fit and a blind-ended hole, the pressure inside the hole will keep trying to push the heating element back out. I found it easiest to force the element all the way in the hole by using only my right hand, with my palm against the engine and my thumb on the end of the heating element. Again, no really easy way to do this, just find some body position that allows you to apply enough force to clip the element into place.

Step 7: come back out from under the engine, and feed the power cord down from the engine bay. You're trying to drop it as close to the heating element as possible, so the closer to the fire wall you can drop the power cord, the better.

Step 8: return to underneath the truck, and plug the power cord onto the heating element.

Step 9: route the power cord. Be sure and start with the portion of the power cord that is closest to the heating element, and work your way toward the front of the truck. I know that seems like common sense, but I was so anxious to find a place to mount the standard plug in the grill that I ended up with my power cable running over a coolant hose that I would have rather had it running underneath. No big deal and it's not going to affect anything, I just would have preferred it the other way.

Here are all the images I have:



















I will have to pop the hood every time I want to hook up the heater, but that doesn't bother me, as I was more interested in making the plug as hidden as possible.

[wonger]

nice install.. does it just sit inside the engine .. guessing next to a water jacket and keeps the engine warm? the engine is sooo big and that heating element is soo small..

[RONE]

Originally Posted by wonger

nice install.. does it just sit inside the engine .. guessing next to a water jacket and keeps the engine warm? the engine is sooo big and that heating element is soo small..

The hole for the heating element is on the back side of the engine, near the bottom. I would hope some of the heat is transferred to the oil. Being an aluminum block, heat will transfer throughout it very easily. Oh, and these aren't meant to make your engine so warm that as soon as you start the truck you can blow hot air, their intent is to add ~40 degrees to the block/coolant, thereby decreasing warmup time.

[stryker709]

I keep meaning to get around to this as I bought my truck in the states and are pretty much mandatory on vehicles up here. Thanks for the write up. Loved the pointer showing the "annoying" wire.

[RONE]

Originally Posted by stryker709

I keep meaning to get around to this as I bought my truck in the states and are pretty much mandatory on vehicles up here. Thanks for the write up. Loved the pointer showing the "annoying" wire.

When you go to do the install, you'll definitely understand why I felt the need to label it as such.

[wonger]

Originally Posted by RONE

The hole for the heating element is on the back side of the engine, near the bottom. I would hope some of the heat is transferred to the oil. Being an aluminum block, heat will transfer throughout it very easily. Oh, and these aren't meant to make your engine so warm that as soon as you start the truck you can blow hot air, their intent is to add ~40 degrees to the block/coolant, thereby decreasing warmup time.

thanks for the info.. around here it doesnt get any colder than say 30 degrees so

[RONE]

Originally Posted by wonger

thanks for the info.. around here it doesnt get any colder than say 30 degrees so

I'm going to use mine tonight for the first time, and it's only supposed to get down to 38. I'm only going to have it run for 1 hour, but I'm curious to see how the truck responds to it.

[mhadden]

Very sweet write-up Added it to the DIY section.

I think I'll have to get me one of these, although winter is almost over!

[RONE]

Originally Posted by mhadden

Very sweet write-up Added it to the DIY section.

I think I'll have to get me one of these, although winter is almost over!

You should! If nothing else, you'd be ready for next year.

We're supposed to get snow tonight, so I'll get a good chance to see how it helps warm up times when it's actually cold (not just the 38 degree temps we had last night).

[peterc38]

Originally Posted by RONE

I'm going to use mine tonight for the first time, and it's only supposed to get down to 38. I'm only going to have it run for 1 hour, but I'm curious to see how the truck responds to it.

Awesome write up and very detailed instructions on the install.

Not to sound naïve, but how cold does it get in Kansas? Why would you need it at 38F?

I live in Maine and I don’t have one on my Tundra; which is parked in an unheated garage attached to my house. In my part of the state I have seen 30 below in January at night but the coldest I have seen this year is about 18 below.

I do have a block heater on my tractor which is in an unheated carport, but I don’t really need the block heater unless it gets below zero, in which case I plug it in for an hour or two before use.

[RONE]

Originally Posted by peterc38

Awesome write up and very detailed instructions on the install.

Not to sound naïve, but how cold does it get in Kansas? Why would you need it at 38F?

I live in Maine and I don’t have one on my Tundra; which is parked in an unheated garage attached to my house. In my part of the state I have seen 30 below in January at night but the coldest I have seen this year is about 18 below.

I do have a block heater on my tractor which is in an unheated carport, but I don’t really need the block heater unless it gets below zero, in which case I plug it in for an hour or two before use.

I only used it the other night (at 38F) to make sure it worked. I park my truck outside currently, as my street bike and parts of my race bike are currently occupying the garage. It got down to 14F here last night, so I've decided anything below about 30 and I'll hook up the block heater for 1 hour (on a timer). I'm doing this to speed up the warm up time, not because I worry about the truck not starting.

[Ricky Bobby]

Nice write up RONE!! I've gotta try this!