Stock Hybrid + engine block heater = poor mans PHEV?
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,401
Re: Stock Hybrid + engine block heater = poor mans PHEV?
I dont know about the FEH specifically but all block heaters I have seen go into the coolant on the block usually where a freeze plug would be. Yes you will loose coolant. Pick up some G-05 or Motorcraft Gold coolant and when you replace it be SURE to use distilled or de-mineraled water.
Omnia Gloria Fugit
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 744
From: College Station Texas
Re: Stock Hybrid + engine block heater = poor mans PHEV?
good to know. I've been thinking about getting one installed myself in case I end up in Houghton in the U.P. of MI or something at my old alma matter someday.
One of the prius owners in Houston uses one so he can go into ev ALLOT quicker on cold start. I have been thinking about one also for that reason, but my Ford dealer says they are back ordered. ( Texas rarely needs block heaters)
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 15
Re: Stock Hybrid + engine block heater = poor mans PHEV?
If someone could post a picture of where the block heater plug goes that would be helpful. Just came back from the local dealer that actually sells Hybrids sort of! Mine was the first semi-recall campaign done by them on the resistor replacement. It took them 5 hours! From 9 AM until 2:30 PM. They figure the block heater installation will take 4 hours!!! Has anyone got instructions??? I have seen a couple of pictures on this list, but not all of the ones I would need for the block heater installation if done by myself...
Rocky
Rocky
2008 Escape Hybrid Owner
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 280
From: San Diego, California, USA
Re: Stock Hybrid + engine block heater = poor mans PHEV?
If you warm up the engine with a block heater, I expect you would see better MPG on the display becuase you are not burning fuel to warm the engine. But, it may be a false savings if warming the engine while driving uses less fuel energy than plug electric energy.
Hybrid and Ethanol Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,616
From: All over the Central U.S.
Re: Stock Hybrid + engine block heater = poor mans PHEV?
FWIW Norway has plug-in cars now that go 66 miles on a charge.
No big deal you say? Think Again.
They recharge in under 10 minutes!
No big deal you say? Think Again.
They recharge in under 10 minutes!
Omnia Gloria Fugit
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 744
From: College Station Texas
Re: Stock Hybrid + engine block heater = poor mans PHEV?
IIRC someone did an analysis and 2 or 3 hrs a day was something like $4 in electrical energy cost. Savings would depend on your trip distance, shorter trip would have MORE savings
Thread Starter
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Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,747
From: Southwestern Pa
Re: Stock Hybrid + engine block heater = poor mans PHEV?
I had my engine block heater installed at the Ford Dealership and an oil change (I provided the Mobil 1 oil) performed and I was only charged 1 hour labor. My total cost for this was something like $97.00.
Re: Stock Hybrid + engine block heater = poor mans PHEV?
Thats for labor only correct? otherwise you got a heck of a deal
Thread Starter
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Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,747
From: Southwestern Pa
Re: Stock Hybrid + engine block heater = poor mans PHEV?
Rechecking my bill from the Ford Dealership, I was charged $80 for labor to install the engine block heater.
