Engine Block Heater Question.

[nmikes]

Might be relocating to Minnesota so was looking into the engine block heater. Does anyone know about the OEM one? Does it heat the engine by cycling fluid through it, or is it a chincy magnetic heating pad you stick on the bottom of the oil pan. My dealer here in Seattle is great, but there just isn't alot of call for this item and so they've never seen one. Just wondering if the OEM unit is a really good one or if I should be looking elsewhere. The dealer is wanting also $250 to include parts and installation... seems a bit high for an item that lists for $20 bucks on the hummer web site.

[nmikes]

Might be relocating to Minnesota so was looking into the engine block heater. Does anyone know about the OEM one? Does it heat the engine by cycling fluid through it, or is it a chincy magnetic heating pad you stick on the bottom of the oil pan. My dealer here in Seattle is great, but there just isn't alot of call for this item and so they've never seen one. Just wondering if the OEM unit is a really good one or if I should be looking elsewhere. The dealer is wanting also $250 to include parts and installation... seems a bit high for an item that lists for $20 bucks on the hummer web site.

[DarthKarl]

I have a block heater in my H3. I got to use it a few nights last week when the thermometer dipped into the -20's. Worked fine.

It’s my understanding that the OEM block heater it is a coolant type heater and not a variant of an oil heater. I have always heard that a coolant heater is preferable and more efficient in starting the engine during really cold temperatures.

I ordered my H3 with the block heater, so it cost me only $20 or $25. $250 does seem a bit high for parts and installation, I can’t imagine that it requires a terrible amount of labor to get the thing in, but then again I could be wrong on that.

[f5fstop]

It is installed into a coolant passage in the engine.

[nmikes]

Much Thanks... thats pretty much what I needed to know.

[R2]

I am in So Cal and got one for the winter