K05 Block Heater Function Questions

[Don W.]

I just plugged in my block heater for the first time. Any idea how warm/hot it will make the engine? Any issues with leaving it plugged in for days or weeks? Thanks...Don

[Michael W.]

Re: K05 Block Heater Function Questions

The engine needs to be full coolant to aviod burning out the element. That's a pretty big chunk of water filled iron for a little ~1K watt element to make much difference. I'd be surprised if you feel any significant difference beyond 'lukewarmish'. Possibly a 30*F increase over ambient

It can be left plugged in 24/7 but there's little point.

[Patrick H.]

Re: K05 Block Heater Function Questions

I had one in my former 1982 VW Rabbit diesel. It was very useful in the winter as it ran far better when first started, and I had heat in the car much quicker. There was no usefulness during "normal" weather. If it wasn't freezing or below I didn't use it.
I would plug it in when I got home from med school, and unplug it just before leaving in the morning.
The only time I used it with regularity is when I had the car outside and had access to a plug, which was essentially one winter out of the 12 years we owned it. No need for it when Dad drove it and it was garaged, and impossible to use when in a college or apartment complex parking lot.

Given the weather that we currently avoid driving in with our old Corvettes I think that the usefulness of a block heater is zero.

[Dick W.]

Re: K05 Block Heater Function Questions

Unless you are living at the North Pole, there is very little justification in leaving it plugged up all the time. Can be fairly expensive to operate. Think about burning teen 100 watt lamps all the time