so im looking through my engine back and i see a cord wapped up along the firewall behind the valve covers... someone told me it was for glow plugs but from what i remember glow plugs are only for deisels. i hav enever seen anything like this before. like it is the end of an extension cord and the other end disapears into a mass of wires...... is this supposed to be there.

 

More than likely it's a block heater. I've got one on my '83 Chevy 1/2 ton. I never use it. It's a 'hype'. The only people that need something like that are people that live in Alaska.

I suppose it could be an oil heater. Basically it just heats the pan, therefore keeping the oil warmer/thinner so it flows faster at startup. That makes it easier on the starter since it's not molasses running through the engine, plus the oil gets to places quicker.

If you are that curious, you can trace where it goes, but if you've gotten by without using it this long, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Yeap...Block heater. Unless your in a wintery spot, you don't need it. You can usually remove the wire from the car. Don't try to pull out the heater itself, just the wire. These heaters are put into one of the frost plugs on the engine.

 

Keeps your coolant nice n toasty overnight so it's easier to start in the morning.

It's not really hype, but it's use is limited (or unnecessary) on fuel injected gasoline engines. It's really a lot more useful on diesel engines used in colder climates since they can be tough bastards to start after a really chilly night.

It's not doing any harm or hurting performance any, so I'd just leave it coiled up in there. Besides, one day you might want to plug it in.. It's just taking the place of a freeze plug.

 

Sorry...... I said "hype" because when I sold new Chevys, everyone around here thought they had to have one.

I told them they're better of spending the $135 on dinner at a fancy restaurant.

 

yeah, i'm learning that the little cord sucks.

i just bought a turbo diesel 2500hd that i have to plug that thing in everyday it seems. instructions say anything below 50 degrees and you might need it if the engine sits long enough.

 

sounds like a nice option to have in real cold temps!

 

definately nice and a necessity on the diesel....just forgot how much i like the convienience of a gas engine.

 

Block heaters are not "hype" or " not needed on gas engines". Three and a half years stationed in North Dakota taught me that a block heater is needed on ANY vehicle that isn't in a heated garage. One night at 40 below zero or more and you'll find out, your car simply will not start, period.

 

i suppose it depends on the "coldness" your talking about.

never had a problem in any weather driving my 350 L98 here in michigan when it was a daily driver. i should say never a problem starting it anyway.

now the diesel is a different story......

 

Block heaters on gas or diesel engines are an absolute necessity on the Canadian prairies where I live. When it gets down to
minus 40F even the fuel injected gassers like to be "plugged In" My diesel truck likes to be plugged in if the temp drops much below 32F.

 

well we have had some nasty *** storms so far, (including today : 9 inches here) michigan weather has proved consistant in being cold as fock. but i havent had a problem starting my car at all.. so i guess thats a good thing. the car was origionally a canadian car so i guess that would explain the cord. thanks for clearing all this up for me i appreciate it. i couldnt find anything at all related to it in a search.