Are the engine block heaters which are for me only available in the US, 110 volts, converted to 12 volts ? We in Europe have 220 volts.
I am trying to order one but I don't know how and where. I've tried Hondamajestic but they have cancelled my order because thy don't sell out off the US
Can someone discribe the built-up of a block heater ?
Thanks.
Are the engine block heaters which are for me only available in the US, 110 volts, converted to 12 volts ? We in Europe have 220 volts.
I am trying to order one but I don't know how and where. I've tried Hondamajestic but they have cancelled my order because thy don't sell out off the US
Can someone discribe the built-up of a block heater ?
Thanks.
Basically a block heater is just a coil of wire, not unlike a toaster. It is highly unlikely that it would be converted down to 12 volts to run it. Just like a toaster, one designed for 110 volts probrably won't tolerate 220 volts. However, if you're dead set on using a 110 volt block heater on a 220 volt line you could probably just make a voltage divider and use half that voltage to run an interior heater for the car..
I have the engine block heater. It's a resistive coil heater. Does the German word "Tauchsieder" ring a bell?
Anyway, you definitely need a transformer to run it. It takes about 400 Watts at 115V. Make sure the transformer is capable of that!
But the heater is the same as for Civics. Maybe there is a European version available? Just ask for the Honda-Civic engine block heater. The installation instructions won't be correct, but you can probbaly figure that out. Maybe I even find the sheet that came with my heater...
Maybe a stupid question , is there a picture available or a drawing ?
I have absolutely no idea how something like this looks like, we don't use blockheaters that much in the Netherlands, never seen one in my life, but I think it is a good idea of using it. It is giving the engine more lifespan.
I don't believe it will help in increasing the life span of the engine. And unless the climate in the Netherlands is cooler than what I am lead to believe you won't get much MPG improvement either. Unless you see temps around 0 C or do many short trips. It simply aids in engine warm-up.
The biggest drawback it it will confuse the onlookers when you tell them you don't have to plug it in. There will be a power cord plug-in hanging out at the front grille. <g>
I searched the factory service manual and ETM for a sketch or picture without success. However, if you look/feel on the back of the engine, low on the block, in the #1 cylinder area, you should find a 13 mm square socket head removable plug that opens into coolant jacket. That is what's removed for installation of the heater.
___I ordered the Insight Cargo Area Carpet/Mat and the Engine Block heater from Hondacuraworld just last Friday. I have purchased many accessories for the MDX from them in the past and they are first rate. The guy that runs the parts areas name is Tim and he ordered the Block Heater from the catalog even though he doesn’t list it on Ray Lak’s parts and accessories site. The total was something like $101.00 USD including shipping. This pdf will let you view the 2002 instructions which are not any different than our 2000’s IIRC …
Wow, thanks guys,
I've never realized that the coolant was heated. I always thought that it was something wrapped arround the oil-pan of the engine which heates up the oil.
Its a pretty big hole that must be opened for the block heater and you'd have to be -really- fast.
Don't see how its humanly possible to do without loosing most of the coolant. No reason not to catch this spill in a pan made for such and re-use it though.
The owners manual calls out the interval and procedure to change out the coolant.
Good time to do it while installing a factory block heater.
Use the 150 K mile coolants available and there is a Honda water pump lube available. Expensive but Honda used to reccomend on certain models with noisy water pump seals. A buddy with 1,250,000 miles on a '92 Accord wagon swears by it.
It comes by the pint , way more than an Insight needs , so maybe you could share with a fellow Insighter.
Starting up in the morning with a quiet, slow idle and immediate heat
makes the $0.15 - 3 hour electric warm up worth the hassle and of course there are other benefits too.
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Engine block heaters.
, is there a picture available or a drawing ?
