so i ordered the engine block heater for my tahoe.. part no. 12560179, 10408653
This was a fairly straight forward install.. Being that i have an IRON block i looked at the bell housing and rear of the engine on the drivers side and located the engine block coolant drain plug. This is a large 2" brass plug with a 17mm allan socket. To get the plug free you will want a swivel and a 10" extension to clear the frame so that you can use a breaker bar for leverage and break the plug free. You do not want to use an impact as the copper could strip out.
tools needed:
17mm allan socket
swivel
10" extension
ratchet
breaker bar or a length of pipe on the ratchet.
bucket or catch pan
1 gallon od DEX-Cool (this is the GM specific anti freeze) DO NOT USE ANYTHING ELSE!
1" socket
-Ok to start gather the tools.
-position the catch pan or bucket under the drivers rear corner of the engine.
-use the 17mm socket, swivel, 10" extension, breaker bar in a counter clock wise LEFT LOOSE direction to break the plug free. With the plug free you can use the ratchet to back the plug out.
WARNING: you need to have the heater ready because once the plug is out the liquid is free flowing!
If you do this part fast with 2 hands you can minimize the coolant loss. I use my left hand to free the plug then my right to instantly plug the hole with the heater. BRASS MARS EASY SO do not cross thread the new heater. To insure the threads align proper turn the heater in a counter clockwise rotation until you feel the thread end do into the start thread inside the block. At this point you can start tightening the heater in by hand. It will go in by had a couple rotations until the thread lock tight seal hits.
Get your 1" socket and put it on the swivel and start to tighten down the heater to a snug finish. DO NOT OVER TORQUE!
Now you need to choose the mounting location of the power plug. I chose to have mine exit at the tow hook. this serves as multiple reasons. 1) in the summer i can tuck it in behind the lower valance. 2) It is a secure location.
route the cord. the supplied length is plenty to put it anywhere you desire. I have seen some people that like to crack the hood and have it by the battery. I have seen it in the grill. this is up to you..
Plug the orange end into the heater and route the cord to the frame. Leave slack clearance around the exhaust. The cord has a heat shield but you do not want contact. I them Zip tie the cord to the brake hard line that is running along the farme and continue to route it forward and out the tow hook. I used a zip tie at the tow hook and tucked it as far back as possible. In picture it is white but was replaced with black.
Now you want to neatly coil the remainder and secure it to the frame. I coiled mine and secured the bundle to the frame next to one of the hard lines.
You will need a timer and and extension cord. talking to a few people 2.5hr run time before departure tends to be adequate to have the coolant warm when you start the vehicle BUT LOCATIONS MAY VAIRY.
Now clean up the area as some coolant may have spilled. MAKE SURE TO PROPERLY CLEAN THE AREA as radiator coolant is toxic to animals. I like to squirt DAWN dish soap all over the infected area of the driveway and wash.
This was a fairly straight forward install.. Being that i have an IRON block i looked at the bell housing and rear of the engine on the drivers side and located the engine block coolant drain plug. This is a large 2" brass plug with a 17mm allan socket. To get the plug free you will want a swivel and a 10" extension to clear the frame so that you can use a breaker bar for leverage and break the plug free. You do not want to use an impact as the copper could strip out.
tools needed:
17mm allan socket
swivel
10" extension
ratchet
breaker bar or a length of pipe on the ratchet.
bucket or catch pan
1 gallon od DEX-Cool (this is the GM specific anti freeze) DO NOT USE ANYTHING ELSE!
1" socket
-Ok to start gather the tools.
-position the catch pan or bucket under the drivers rear corner of the engine.
-use the 17mm socket, swivel, 10" extension, breaker bar in a counter clock wise LEFT LOOSE direction to break the plug free. With the plug free you can use the ratchet to back the plug out.
WARNING: you need to have the heater ready because once the plug is out the liquid is free flowing!
If you do this part fast with 2 hands you can minimize the coolant loss. I use my left hand to free the plug then my right to instantly plug the hole with the heater. BRASS MARS EASY SO do not cross thread the new heater. To insure the threads align proper turn the heater in a counter clockwise rotation until you feel the thread end do into the start thread inside the block. At this point you can start tightening the heater in by hand. It will go in by had a couple rotations until the thread lock tight seal hits.
Get your 1" socket and put it on the swivel and start to tighten down the heater to a snug finish. DO NOT OVER TORQUE!
Now you need to choose the mounting location of the power plug. I chose to have mine exit at the tow hook. this serves as multiple reasons. 1) in the summer i can tuck it in behind the lower valance. 2) It is a secure location.
route the cord. the supplied length is plenty to put it anywhere you desire. I have seen some people that like to crack the hood and have it by the battery. I have seen it in the grill. this is up to you..
Plug the orange end into the heater and route the cord to the frame. Leave slack clearance around the exhaust. The cord has a heat shield but you do not want contact. I them Zip tie the cord to the brake hard line that is running along the farme and continue to route it forward and out the tow hook. I used a zip tie at the tow hook and tucked it as far back as possible. In picture it is white but was replaced with black.
Now you want to neatly coil the remainder and secure it to the frame. I coiled mine and secured the bundle to the frame next to one of the hard lines.
You will need a timer and and extension cord. talking to a few people 2.5hr run time before departure tends to be adequate to have the coolant warm when you start the vehicle BUT LOCATIONS MAY VAIRY.
Now clean up the area as some coolant may have spilled. MAKE SURE TO PROPERLY CLEAN THE AREA as radiator coolant is toxic to animals. I like to squirt DAWN dish soap all over the infected area of the driveway and wash.
