block heater installation
 

Has anyone installed there own block heater? I have a Mazda MP3 and need one for the winter....Just wondering how hard it would be to install, and if i could just do it myself...i've heard you have to just remove a frost plug and replace it with the heater plug.....some pictures would be great if you have them as it would help alot......

Also, i tried a search on this topic but could only find pictures of what it looks like, not the installation....my mazda dealership is gonna chatge me $72.00 to put it in!!!!!:(

I think the plug may be right in the thick of things. I'll look at my car over lunch and post when I get home. (At school now.) I'm guessing that it's submerged in alot of oil, so you may need to do it at your next oil change, or you'll have a real mess on your hands. From what I can remember, mine is located right at the bottom of the engine / tranny on the driver's side. I'll see if I can pull the pics from the shop manual to show you. As for install, should just screw in.

The block heater normally goes in a frost plug and would be in the water jacket so no oil involved.

That price is pretty good considering it is pretty tricky taking out the old frost plug withought losing it inside the engine. Got to remember that anything the dealer does is guaranteed so if not done correctly they will fix.

The frost plug is right beside the alternator on the rear of the engine, the block heater is pretty easy to do but you have to make sure you get the plug out or there is a chance it will damage the water pump. I've seen it happen. The other problem is if you install it and the block heater pops out and you don't know right away you could damage you engine, we have had them pop out and had to put a new engine in, the claim was about $8000.00 and if you put it in and this happens you will be paying for it, so maybe $72.00 isn't that bad.

Jim

I thought the heater was there to keep the oil and coolant warm? Guess I was wrong...

Nick you aren't wrong, the block heater does leep the coolant and in turn the oil warm. Or are you being silly and I fell into the trap :)?

How does a block heater work exactly?
Well... not really **exactly**, but at least some brief explanations to me would be appreciated ;)