can you test to see if a block heater is working?
02-18-2006, 11:00 AM
#1
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Car: '91 vert RS, '82 Z28
Engine: TBI 305, TPI 350
Transmission: Auto, 5 speed
can you test to see if a block heater is working?
cant tell if my block heater is working, is there a way to test it? maybe with a voltmeter or somthing. does anyone know?
02-18-2006, 11:53 AM
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Well just for safety sake dont test the plug. After being plugged in all night you can feel the area around the heater and if it doesent feel warm to the touch then it isnt working.
02-18-2006, 11:57 AM
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Car: '91 vert RS, '82 Z28
Engine: TBI 305, TPI 350
Transmission: Auto, 5 speed
well i was thinking to do a continuity test or resistance so it wouldnt be pluged in to power just to see if the circuit is broken but im not sure what it will come up with if i do a resistance test, i called midas they wanted 50 bux to check it.
its not really warm to the touch but its not cold either, and its been hitten -40c here. my other car will burn your hand if you touch it.
its not really warm to the touch but its not cold either, and its been hitten -40c here. my other car will burn your hand if you touch it.
02-18-2006, 12:11 PM
#4
What type of heater? I've had the best luck and longevity with the tank type installed in the heater hoses. You should be able to test the resistance of the heater. There should be about 2 ohms (DC resistance, not impedance), possibly less.
Good thing it's only -40°C, and not -40°F.
Good thing it's only -40°C, and not -40°F.
02-18-2006, 12:17 PM
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Car: '91 vert RS, '82 Z28
Engine: TBI 305, TPI 350
Transmission: Auto, 5 speed
its a block style heater goes where the frost plug is, i was told not to use the inline antifreeze heaters becuase they can actually catch fire. 
its so frikken cold here i dont even want to go back outside to see if its warmed up yet
its so frikken cold here i dont even want to go back outside to see if its warmed up yet
02-18-2006, 01:37 PM
#6
I've never had that experience. Most if not all the tank-type heaters I've had included a thermostat that would shut down at a given temperature for safety/energy conservation. There's nothing quite like having warm coolant as soon as the engine starts running. With the warm coolant being pumped/percolated through the block and heads, starting is very easy since ring friction is about like on a 70°F day.
I've seen a lot of the freeze plug type heaters leak, too.
Either way, you may be able to "test" the heater operation without going out in the fresh air. Wherever you have the cord plugged in, you can unplug it and test the resistance there. You may even see an arc when you unplug it. That should be a clue that some current is being drawn.
Of course, it seldom gets that cold down here. About as low as I've ever had to use a heater was -42°F in the northwoods of Wisconsin, and that's pretty rare. It was a tank-type as well.
I've seen a lot of the freeze plug type heaters leak, too.
Either way, you may be able to "test" the heater operation without going out in the fresh air. Wherever you have the cord plugged in, you can unplug it and test the resistance there. You may even see an arc when you unplug it. That should be a clue that some current is being drawn.
Of course, it seldom gets that cold down here. About as low as I've ever had to use a heater was -42°F in the northwoods of Wisconsin, and that's pretty rare. It was a tank-type as well.
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