Block heater specs

Discuss (and cuss) the Nissan LD-series OHC Six diesel engine, popularly available in the US in 1981-83 Datsun/Nissan Maxima Sedans & Wagons.

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glenlloyd
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Block heater specs

#1

Post by glenlloyd »

Hey all
Looks like my block heater doesn't work...at all. I plugged it in today and when I went to check the side of the block for heat there wasn't any, so I need to replace it. The FSM doesn't seem to provide any specs for this item, most likely it came from dealer installs and not from Nissan. Does anyone have the Kats part number, or the size of the frost plug that this fits? I have a spare sitting around somewhere but what do you bet that it's not going to be the correct size!

I see frost plugs on the block of 35, 40 and 50mm. Anyone know sizing on this let me know.

BTW, I think O'reilly auto parts lists the unit as a 10424 or 11424, but I can't find the size on this model for sure. I'm hoping the correct is 1 5/8" because I think that's the new one I have.

Thanks
SA
97 Jetta TDI, 90 Passat wagon TDI
05 E320 CDI, 92 300SD

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glenlloyd
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#2

Post by glenlloyd »

bump, anyone know which frost plug the heater fits into?

thanks
sa
97 Jetta TDI, 90 Passat wagon TDI
05 E320 CDI, 92 300SD

gir - won't the sploding hurt?
zim - silence!
goglio704
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#3

Post by goglio704 »

Only one of my cars has a block heater. It is on the driver's side - the very last one at the back (firewall) end of the engine.
Matt B.

83 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 5 speed, white, 130k miles. My original Maxima.
83 Maxima Sedan converted from gasser, LD28, 5 speed, 2 tone blue, 230k miles
82 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, 2 tone Gray/Silver, 140k miles
81 810 Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, rust, rust, and more rust!

2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
glenlloyd
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#4

Post by glenlloyd »

goglio704 wrote:Only one of my cars has a block heater. It is on the driver's side - the very last one at the back (firewall) end of the engine.
Mine is in the same location as yours but I don't know if this is the 50mm frost plug or not. If it is then the spare heater I have will work I think.

thanks
SA
97 Jetta TDI, 90 Passat wagon TDI
05 E320 CDI, 92 300SD

gir - won't the sploding hurt?
zim - silence!
goglio704
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#5

Post by goglio704 »

If you want / need me to I'll try to measure the appropriate frost plug opening on the car without a heater this weekend. I know what it is like to want to know for sure about the parts before you start a job.
Matt B.

83 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 5 speed, white, 130k miles. My original Maxima.
83 Maxima Sedan converted from gasser, LD28, 5 speed, 2 tone blue, 230k miles
82 Maxima Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, 2 tone Gray/Silver, 140k miles
81 810 Sedan, LD28, 3 speed auto, rust, rust, and more rust!

2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
glenlloyd
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#6

Post by glenlloyd »

goglio704 wrote:If you want / need me to I'll try to measure the appropriate frost plug opening on the car without a heater this weekend. I know what it is like to want to know for sure about the parts before you start a job.
Thanks, sorry I missed your post before I left town. I am pretty sure it's the 40mm plug, which equates to about a 1 5/8" block heater I think. If it were in the 50mm plug it would be almost 2" and I know visually that the block heater is not a 2" heater, unless my vision is that bad.

Thanks for your help!

Steve A
97 Jetta TDI, 90 Passat wagon TDI
05 E320 CDI, 92 300SD

gir - won't the sploding hurt?
zim - silence!
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asavage
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#7

Post by asavage »

The rearmost core plug on the driver's side (just forward of the large-head coolant drain plug) is 35mm. I just measured the block heater that I pulled for Carimbo at the JY today.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
glenlloyd
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#8

Post by glenlloyd »

asavage wrote:The rearmost core plug on the driver's side (just forward of the large-head coolant drain plug) is 35mm. I just measured the block heater that I pulled for Carimbo at the JY today.
Thanks Al, I wasn't expecting it to e 35mm, but it's good to know.

Steve A
97 Jetta TDI, 90 Passat wagon TDI
05 E320 CDI, 92 300SD

gir - won't the sploding hurt?
zim - silence!
davehoos
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#9

Post by davehoos »

how much do these heat the block.
or are they just for stopping it from getting solid.
WCJR31 Skyline.3.0 manual.wagon
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glenlloyd
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#10

Post by glenlloyd »

davehoos wrote:how much do these heat the block.
or are they just for stopping it from getting solid.
Mine does a good job, now that I figured out that it does work. I prefer them to the circulating pump type heaters although there are cases made for either type.

It's just easier on the motor IMO. Also eliminates multiple cycling of the heat plugs. If it's cold I like to let it heat for at least 30 minutes, the colder the longer etc.

steve a
97 Jetta TDI, 90 Passat wagon TDI
05 E320 CDI, 92 300SD

gir - won't the sploding hurt?
zim - silence!
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asavage
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#11

Post by asavage »

Note the all-metal construction of this unit:

Image
Some corrosion around one of the terminals; it may be leaking.

Image
O-ring bad (click on image for bettter view).

Image
Made in Canada, eh? This is not a Katz.

Image
Image

The cord is shot on this one, and will be in similar condition for most JY finds I suspect. The NAPA/Balkamp BK 6051610 is $15.50 . It's 65" long and comes with the protective loom.

Image

Here's a $40 version of that cord, Balkamp BK 6051612:
Image

NAPA has several different replacement cords like this and with other connectors (click here and then select "prev" or "next" a couple of times for the list).

Jegs also has a replacement cord in this style (w/o protective loom). On the LD28, the three BHs I've seen have all been on the exhaust manifold side, where the heat can cook the cord, so a good quality cord and/or some protection from heat is desired.
Last edited by asavage 18 years ago, edited 1 time in total.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
davehoos
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#12

Post by davehoos »

australia-240 V i seen these on GMC trucks with no lead conected,so you didnt blow the power.

i asked about a english made circulation heater pump type.several hundred dollars.
I thought i might use a modern jug element,thermostat,earth leakage devices and a pump.and battery charger.

looked at some header tanks made for water cooler intercoolers.
WCJR31 Skyline.3.0 manual.wagon
R31 SKYLINE/Passage GT/PINTARA
LPG Ford Falcon 99-06 93 Disco
Local Shire Southern Zone Mechanic.
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asavage
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#13

Post by asavage »

For completeness (or something). Click on image for larger.
Image
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
83_maxima
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#14

Post by 83_maxima »

Steve, What brand of heater did you end up with?

I need to replce mine and the Kats ones look cheap. I'd prefer an all-metal one like in Al's picture.
glenlloyd
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#15

Post by glenlloyd »

83_maxima wrote:Steve, What brand of heater did you end up with?

I need to replce mine and the Kats ones look cheap. I'd prefer an all-metal one like in Al's picture.
I ended up not having to replace it, the installed one worked fine. I would probably not buy a Kat's heater unless there was no other choice, they use a fixed cord that cannot (easily) be replaced, so once the cord goes the rest is shot. Check with zerostart, they might make a better unit.

steve a
97 Jetta TDI, 90 Passat wagon TDI
05 E320 CDI, 92 300SD

gir - won't the sploding hurt?
zim - silence!
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