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Gerald Duerr · 11-03-2013, 04:45 AM

We own a 2000 Tradewind. It looks like the blockheater finally kicked the bucket. Has anybody changed theirs? Any help is appreciated. Cheers Gerald

Dmorgan6375 · 11-03-2013, 07:19 AM

This topic came up in another post awhile back. It should be in one of the freeze plug spots, freeze plug, Soft plug, one in the same.. Just follow the cord to where it is. The cord being what you would plug into ele to make it work!

Family Time · 11-03-2013, 07:57 PM

I replaced mine on a 2005 C7, it was pretty easy. No sure if it is the same as yours but it was in a freeze plug hole, center of the block below the exhaust manifold. Drain the coolant. There is a allen screw in the center that will release it. I found the part number on access freightliner. Found the best deal here at amazon.
Zerostart 350-0015 Engine Block Heater : Amazon.com : Automotive

Gerald Duerr · 11-07-2013, 04:32 AM

Hello Family Time;thanks for your info.It looks like mine is the same.Just have to find a dealer here in Canada. I hope it comes out easy. CHeers Gerald

Dmorgan6375 · 11-07-2013, 06:19 AM

Don't let that dealer con you, there's no reason for it not to come out rather easy. Worse case it would fall apart in the process of removal and a good magnet can find broken pieces in water jacket. Be careful of these dealers that will tell you tons of crap about how hard it was to do a job and the whole time the tech is sitting on his or her arse!

Gerald Duerr · 11-09-2013, 04:54 AM

Hallo again;started the blockheater job.Not very easy. Over the years the allen screw has deterioated to non excisting size. I am now in the process of drilling .A job for lots of patience. Hope all goes well. Cheers Gerald

Family Time · 11-09-2013, 11:21 AM

The allen screw is connected to a nut on the inside that has wings and grabs the block inside the freeze plug hole, like a molly bolt for drywall. I would suggest just chisel the screw head off. As this is at the bottom of the water jacket the nut won't fall and you can retrieve it after you pull the heater out. Good luck, keep us posted.

Gerald Duerr · 11-10-2013, 05:30 AM

Got the screw out but it seems that the inside wingnut is jammed so tight that it wont let go of the heater. I drilled several holes in the heater but no luck yet. Will try again today.Maybe I will try to drill out the center that holds the wingnut in place. Patience.Cheers Gerald

Dmorgan6375 · 11-10-2013, 07:51 AM

When you "Are" Done removing everything that has to do with the heater (use Magnet) you just might want to flush the system. The last thing you would want is to have some small metal object causing havoc in your cooling system! Don't give up on this, you got it under control!

Gerald Duerr · 11-12-2013, 06:59 AM

Dmorgan6375;thanks for your input. I need to know what to open and close when flushing the system. No luck yet on removal of the heater. Could not work on it to cold. Suppose to warm up toward the end of the week. Cheers Gerald

Gerald Duerr · 11-17-2013, 05:38 AM

I am still working on this beast of a blockheater. I need advice if I should heat the blockheater with a torch. HOwever I am afraid I may distorte the casing.
Any thoughts. Cheers Gerald

Dmorgan6375 · 11-18-2013, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerald Duerr

I am still working on this beast of a blockheater. I need advice if I should heat the blockheater with a torch. HOwever I am afraid I may distorte the casing.
Any thoughts. Cheers Gerald

Now if you're talking about a torch that uses o2, i would be careful. If its just one of those prophane hand held jobs you can hurt much. I can't believe you still don't have that out yet. If you can get a pry bar behind it in anyway at all, do so. Just do your best to harm the surface of the whole itself, remember you'll need to reseal the new one in place once you ready to install any large nicks in the motor block can and will cause a leak that you Do NOT Need! Wish you were closer to me so i could lend you a hand. Good Luck Sir.