Block Heater

[boci]

Hi guys,
I'm buying 2006 Jetta wagon TDI and not sure if I should go with a dealer instaled block heater for $450, wich seem to be rally high, or with zerostart heater for less than $100.

I know some members had problems with heater sold at dealership, what are your expirience with zerostart or temro heaters sold at Gregg Distributors?


Will it affect my warranty if I choose to get aftermarket heater?

Thanks

BTW great site,been coming here for a while but just recently joined.

[zero10]

Re: Block Heater

DO NOT USE THE CALIX HEATER THAT THE DEALERSHIP SUPPLIES.

There we go, got that out of my system. Search for my thread if you would like, otherwise just trust me.
Get a tdiheater ( www.tdiheater.com ), or just get a zerostart heater and the hose and do it yourself, either way, it will be 100x better than that piece-of-crap dealership heater, trust me on that one.

They can only refuse to repair something under warranty if they can prove that it was your work (and also use of inferior parts) that caused the failure. Not really something to lose sleep over. I am using a TDI Heater on my golf, and it is nothing short of excellent.

[Aleks]

Re: Block Heater

Use the search for starters, I've covered this to death before...

http://www.newveedub.com/forums/show...ighlight=temro
http://www.newveedub.com/forums/show...ighlight=temro
http://www.newveedub.com/forums/show...ighlight=temro

The second link is an actual active discussion still, surprised you didn't see it

EDIT: just read above, the tdiheater.com one is a zerostart, save yourself the hassle and goto canadiantire

[RobG]

Re: Block Heater

I did some looking around when I needed mine, My friend works at Northland, He told me the problems with the ones they install. Listen to Alex and go with a Temro Zerostart.

Got to Page 71 of the pdf on their website:
Philips & Temro

[boci]

Re: Block Heater

Thanks guys,

Zero10, I knew you'd have a thing or two to say about calix heaters,I read some of your posts on TDI forums.

Another thing I want to ask you is how much coolant is lost during instalation?

Thanks

[Aleks]

Re: Block Heater

if you install it well, and don't accidentally cut thru a hose (like I did), I'd say you lose about 250-500ml tops....you just gotta be quick with cutting and fitting, plus you can always clamp off the hoses....

[zero10]

Re: Block Heater

Most people say that they can do it without spilling more than a cup or two. I fought and fought with the spring clamp, then accidentally pulled the hose right off, so I decided to just let it drain. I had already bought a jug of coolant, and was in a rather bad mood, so I just let it drain.
It drained ~4L out of the system when I did this.

Yeah, I'm pretty peeved over that heater.
It's frightening that they will approve the calix heater, but not the zerostart. VWOA really has their collective head on backwards. Then again, the service manager advised I get an espar or webasto heater, even though neither of them are approved...
Anyhoo, zerostart heaters are truly the cat's ass

[RobG]

Re: Block Heater

Most people say that they can do it without spilling more than a cup or two. I fought and fought with the spring clamp, then accidentally pulled the hose right off, so I decided to just let it drain. I had already bought a jug of coolant, and was in a rather bad mood, so I just let it drain.
It drained ~4L out of the system when I did this.

Yeah, I'm pretty peeved over that heater.
It's frightening that they will approve the calix heater, but not the zerostart. VWOA really has their collective head on backwards. Then again, the service manager advised I get an espar or webasto heater, even though neither of them are approved...
Anyhoo, zerostart heaters are truly the cat's ass

I did mine on the weekend, I lost about 3.5 - 4L.

[boci]

Re: Block Heater

Thanks guys,

I picked up my new ride today, just love it, and will try to install zerostart on the weekend.
Now I will likely spill lots of coolant, as I will try to save original hose and replace with new custom fit one.
So I like to know if there is way to drain coolant first and than reuse it, because this is brand new vehicle 35k on it, so no need to replace coolant.

BTW; I think I'm gonna sleep in my car tonight, i love it that much.

[zero10]

Re: Block Heater

If you use a brand new clean container to drain it into, why not?
I just replace whatever drains out, because I don't like buying new containers, or cleaning old ones, I have a big 24" diameter pan with a drain on it, and it's a ***** to clean.

[boci]

Re: Block Heater

So is there a drain plug, or should i drain coolant from oil cooler hose?

[RobG]

Re: Block Heater

So is there a drain plug, or should i drain coolant from oil cooler hose?

There is a drain on the bottom of the rad, but you want to drain the engine side of it, I would just take the hose off the oil cooler, and drain it into a clean catch pan.

[zero10]

Re: Block Heater

Yep, just pull the hose.
A word of advice. If you have just driven the car, open the coolant resevoir cap to release the pressure first....
It's pretty easy to control the coolant once the pressure is released.

[RobG]

Re: Block Heater

The link on TDi Club and the TDI heater website both show it hooked up to the lower front oil cooler coolant hose, the one installed from the dealer is in the other hose, any ideas what the difference is ?

[boci]

Re: Block Heater

The link on TDi Club and the TDI heater website both show it hooked up to the lower front oil cooler coolant hose, the one installed from the dealer is in the other hose, any ideas what the difference is ?

That*is a good question.

Anybody?