Block Heaters on new VWs

[maccomb]

Re: Block Heaters on new VWs

I had a oil pan heater on my 2000 VW BUG got it installed and the first time I tried it when I went back to Fort Mc Murray,Alberta from Athabasca AB. it was going down to -35 C so I plugged it in to try it out, got a knock on the door 1 hour later and my BUG was burning to the ground,totalled.A week before Christmas, nice presant from the dealer.Phoned the dearler Norden Auto Haus in Edmonton and told him the problem.I then got a letter from them about a month latter not to use the heater and if I brought my car in they would replace the cost of the oil pan heaterthat they installed.Hard to do when the car was totaled.Now I bought a 2003 TDI BUG
and it has the same oil pad heater on it, but I have been told by Southgate VW not to use it, But VW will give me a goodwill gesture of 150 dollars towards a new inline heater which costs 450 dollars installed.So the moral of the story don't use your oil-pan heater if it was a aftermaket on installed by a dealer.Now I have to wait in line to get a new heater so I can bring it back up to Fort Mc Murray.Still pissed but I love the New Bettle.

[Stonewall]

Re: Block Heaters on new VWs

I guess on one is reading only a couple threads down link
I already explained the whole block heater problem in detail and the way to fix it. Either buy a kit from TDIheater.com or go buy some hoses and a 1000watt colant heater, install and then you get to start a car that will pump out heat right away. If you want install instructions I will dig up the link for you.

[Flanders]

Re: Block Heaters on new VWs

I guess on one is reading only a couple threads down link
I already explained the whole block heater problem in detail and the way to fix it. Either buy a kit from TDIheater.com or go buy some hoses and a 1000watt colant heater, install and then you get to start a car that will pump out heat right away. If you want install instructions I will dig up the link for you.

was there a reason why the stick-on pads catch fire?

I've got one from www.engineheaters.com...

[Deuce]

Re: Block Heaters on new VWs

My poor baby is freezing and it is killing me to start it with the extreme cold weather we are having.

Call me crazy... but do you REALLY need a block heater on an Alberta car with a 4 cylinder engine using the proper oil? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that having one is a bad idea however, I don't feel bad in the least when I fire mine up in the cold.

Hmmm... Maybe when you consider I used to live in Saskatchewan and drive a 5.0... I guess it's all relative.

Or is it...

Cheers All...

[Stonewall]

Re: Block Heaters on new VWs

was there a reason why the stick-on pads catch fire?

I've got one from www.engineheaters.com...

Those are like the same ones the dealer stopped using. They are just glued then sealed on My old one with the metal bracket was also a piece of junk. As was said eairly though they can fall off onto the plastic engine cover posibly starting a fire, really will all the oil and grim in there I can see it happening.

[Flanders]

Re: Block Heaters on new VWs

I dunno.

I'm not trying to disagree with you but if my oilpan heater were to fall it would fall straight down and probably hang dangling below my engine (ie. the plastic cover isn't underneath the oilpan).

I would have thought (if anything) the rubber cold might melt (?). I dunno. I can't find an explanation on why exactly it could start a car fire.

Deuce -- it's not so much that you need one, it's just one more way to ease the hell your engine goes through during every cold start.

[Stonewall]

Re: Block Heaters on new VWs

but if my oilpan heater were to fall it would fall straight down and probably hang dangling below my engine (ie. the plastic cover isn't underneath the oilpan).

Yours doesn't cover the oilpan? Mine sure does.

[Gumby]

Re: Block Heaters on new VWs

TDI's have a full shield under the oil pan, 2.0 and 1.8's have only a half shield. As far as block heaters go we have now installed a few of the new factory block heaters. The stupid part is you MUST install them as per the instructions which means cutting the left lower grill (not on mine i wouldn't) And the tech has to sign a legal sheet after he installed it, saying it was done to specs. It is a huge issue with VW right now legal wise. Anyone you talk to about gets mad when you bring it up. Yes there is still a shortage on these heaters, who knows when we are gonna get more. I would personally use the pan heater but one from Napa. It has no double sided tape like the VW one's had, you scuff the oil pan real good, use a good quality silicone and make SURE there is no air under after they are installed. I have have NEVER seen a problem with one of these heaters. The pan heater is better for the engine anyway as the oil is nice and warm when you fire the car up. Enough ranting, i could go on for hours about the "block heater issues" that have plauged us since the A4's came out!

[shaunmic]

Re: Block Heaters on new VWs

Does any of this apply to the vr6?

[Gumby]

Re: Block Heaters on new VWs

Yup... all a4 cars.

[shaunmic]

Re: Block Heaters on new VWs

ok, I had a look under my car and what is the heater going to fall on. It looks like there should be a cover under the oilpan but nothing is there.
Is there a chance that vw knew there was a problem and they removed part of the lower engine cover when they did the dealer prep...

Yah, it looks like if you scrape your oilpan you are going to damage the heater. Is there a skid plate available or maybe one could be fabricated.I'm going to get the car on a hoist and have a better look at the hardpoints on the block and see if i can fabricate one

So if ther is one available let me know

[Stonewall]

Re: Block Heaters on new VWs

I just ordered my aluminum skidplate from evolution imports in prince george. I know it fits the TDi's but I am not sure about other motors. I also decided I am putting in zerostart coolant heaters in both my cars next weekend. THe heaters run about $60 or so from crappy tire then all you need is some heater hose and off ya go.

[Tuna]

Re: Block Heaters on new VWs

I just ordered my aluminum skidplate from evolution imports in prince george. I know it fits the TDi's but I am not sure about other motors. I also decided I am putting in zerostart coolant heaters in both my cars next weekend. THe heaters run about $60 or so from crappy tire then all you need is some heater hose and off ya go.

Did anyone ever look into whether this idea would work in modern day cooling systems? I remember there was a topic about this last year too but was there ever a verdict? I could be wrong but wouldn't it have to heat up enough to open the Thermostat? And how does the heat circulate? Maybe this was answered and i'm just dumb.

[nvwt]

Re: Block Heaters on new VWs

I hooked up with a 04 TDI the end of September, and it was without question that it would come with a pan-heater at Progress VW in Red Deer, although it was a sore spot with most of the other dealerships that I spoke with. However, Progress sells quite a few cars to NWT drivers and it is stupid cold here (-35 or lower with wind for the past week or so). My pan heater hasn't killed my car yet (keyword is "yet" according to this thread), but for me it is a must. My car gets angry at me for turning it over in this weather...but if push comes to shove, give Progress a call and see what they can do for you if no one else is willing to help you out in this department...

[Stonewall]

Re: Block Heaters on new VWs

Cool now you can take it back and get them to install one of their $250 coolant heaters as your oilpan stick on heater is unsafe