Anyone installed a block heater?
 

So coming up to winter in Canada and I decided to install a block heater. Probably don't really need one but the gearbox is a bit notchier than i'd like when cold, and and a block heater should mean this won't last as long in the mornings. Warm air quicker is always nice too at -20.

However, instead of being an easy half hour job of removing the undertray, draining coolant and screwing in a new heater (as it was on my impreza) on the BRZ you need to remove the exhaust headers, and accoding to the instructions the midpipe too. And of course instructions say install new header ('flange') gaskets and 'rear donut gasket' too.

Anyone done this? I'm trying to figure out if I can just remove the headers, and leave the midpipe in place. There is what the instructions call an 'exhaust extension pipe' between the headers and the midpipe, which should be left in place (sits above the subframe).

So:

Engine block::headers::exhaust extension pipe::midpipe::axleback is how I see the exhaust parts.

If I can just drop the headers, I'll need the gaskets for the headers::block, and the gasket from headers::extension pipe.

I just can't figure out what removing the midpipe achieves, unless it lets you move the extension pipe backwards a bit to make access a bit easier. I don't think it should be actually required though, but don't want to discover it is required (and therefore need more gaskets while the car is in bits and undriveable).

Have attached a link to the pdf installation guide. Advice appreciated!

PS also nice to see subaru included a little 14mm allen bolt with the heater, saves folks having to order this not-in-any-toolkit-i've-got part from online somewhere.


http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...Uk6rwHd03yl9dw

Thanks
Jon

Just try to do it without removing the front pipe. If you can then great. If not then you remove a few more bolts. Not that big of a deal.

How warm is it expected to keep it?

It's not removing bits that i'm bothered about, it's about having gaskets available to put them back together. They probably own't be in stock at the dealer so i'd have to wait a few days for them to arrive.

I might even get away with reusing the old gaskets, but I don't love getting under the car (only got ramps, no lift and this car is low!) so i'd much rather plan it out first and only have to get under there the once.

Call the dealer and ask. I haven't had a problem reusing donut gaskets, but the flat gaskets I would replace. Probably not even a dealer specific item - you could check your local auto parts store for them as well in the event that the dealer is ~3 days out.

would an electric starter be easier to install?

Yep you're right. I'll get the flat gaskets in then have at it. The car's got only about 600km on it anyway so I can't imagine the donut gaskets will be in bad shape.

To start the car automatically before I get in it you mean? I really don't like the idea of those - car takes ages to warm up when idling and that's when most engine damage occurs. Besides, I already have the heater now.

I've never heard of warming up your car in the winter causing engine damage? and at a cold start they rev over 1,500 for the first couple min, shouldn't take long to warm up. Just throwing out ideas, my babies first winter coming up.

There are different points of view on it. I prefer starting up then driving off after only 20-30s but keeping the revs reasonable (say 2-3000rpm) until engine warms up. It takes much much longer for the heat to come though if just left at idle, and who knows how long for the gearbox to warm like this.
In the meantime, the mixture's rich and all that unburnt fuel is dripping down the sides of the bores and contaminating your oil, along with cold pistons rattling around. It's actually brought a tear to my eye thinking about it. :)

Don't really know which does more damage for sure, but I prefer near immediate drive-off.

Hey Jonboy,

How did the block heater work out for you? I ended up not driving the BRZ much this winter - I tried to get another year out of the 6year old Pirelli Snowsports that I had on my 2 WRXs, which didn't work out too well given the winter we had! I ended up installing an outside outlet for the block heater in the wife's Golf TDi. That damn thing took forever to heat up without it. Even with the block heater there were days when it wouldn't even get up to temperature by the time we got to work in the morning, a 20 minute drive. I'm thinking the BRZ would be much better, just need some decent snows.

Hi Talus,

Re the block heater, it worked just fine, and made the gearbox a little easier too first thing. Would i say it was essential in our climate (looks like you're from my town)? Probably not, although it did was nice to have warm air from the vents within the first couple of minutes. With all the hassle of taking the manifold off to fit it, would I do it again? Maybe, but i'd have to think about it carefully. With the 0w20 in the fa20 it's certainly not essential.
Totally different beast to a TDi though, I had one myself for quite a few years and they are way slower to warm up than the BRZ just because of the block thickness.

However should you put your BRZ through winter - hell yes! It is the most fun car I have ever driven in snow, and that includes an STi. I had a sh*t eating grin on my face every single day on the way to work, and it takes a lot to do that to me at 615am on a -20C morning! You know what our winter was like this year - my AWD left the garage about 5 times over the course of the winter. I wouldn't like to head far into the hills with it on a snowy day though, and that was with 4 new x-ice3s fitted. Only got stuck once, but not many hills around here.

Strange all Canadian vehicles come with these from factory odd you didn't have one to begin with. Anyhow colder then -20 in winter they serve purpose.

Maybe in northern parts, but certainly in Southern ontario they don't - at least neither of my subarus did.

*edit* ah, you're from alberta - it's a bit nippier over there in winter I hear!

Weird for sure. Southern BC is far warmer then southern Ontario on average heck they don't ever even see snow. Oh well all good just interesting.

My BRZ is on a three year lease. I got it to prevent squandering big $ on a used 911, or at least to delay for a few years till my sanity improves. I figure I'll take a few months and do some test driving before I decide whether to keep the BRZ, buy some light rims and sticky summer tires and Blizzaks for the stock rims. And maybe a few other minor mods...

LOL, I got stuck in the snow on my absolutely flat driveway. Those old Pirellis only had about 0.14" of tread and they were hard as rock. As a bonus the steel rims were completely rusted. I felt bad the few times I drove it like that. Funny that those rims and tires didn't bother me too much last year when they were on my old WRX...

OICU812: They are only standard on Toyota/Subarus shipped to the Prairies. They're optional in all other markets. The funny part is we haven't sold one yet at our store. Mine will be one of only 5 that will be winter driven in my area.

First cars in the west didn't have block heaters because they are dealer fitted and the part wasn't available!

Sorry to bring this back from the dead. What are the chances of a block heater failing?
I had the car plugged in last night (for 8 hours) and it got down to around -15C. I plugged in a Bluetooth OBDII dongle and according to torque, the coolant was at -11C. Just seems weird that in 8 hours it was still below freezing.

This thread is a blast from the past!
Not sure what the odds are of a failure, but sounds like yours isn't working. I only need to plug mine in for 3 hours or so to get pretty warm.
Check your extension cable first though - my original one wouldn't work with my block heater for some reason.
Is there plenty of slack in your cable run? The way the motor moves around with stock engine mounts could cause cable damage if it's too tight.

I had one in a car that would blow the circuit breaker every now and then. Only when it got really cold though, go figure!

I do what I can lol. At least I searched, right? It worked fine last winter, the extension chord has a little light by the plug so it works. Gonna swing by the stealership tomorrow. Hopefully it's a quick fix with winter around the corner:cry:

Edit: is there a fuse for the block heater ?

So had the block heater replaced a few weeks ago, used it twice and it stopped working again. The dealership showed me the element, looks like it got cooked.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...219_140637.jpg


Anyone else having any problems? I find it hard to believe that I've had two failed block heaters lol

Looks like I'll be driving my FRS this winter. Wondering if you know the price a stealership charges to have a block heater installed. Thanks

Just an idea---I use a dipstick heater when it gets really cold. not as good as the block heater, but heating the oil in the bottom of the engine will let the heat rise and help.