Question about block heater on Sonata 3.3L V6

  • Thread starter Thread starter Larry Harvilla
  • Start date Start date
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Larry Harvilla

Been looking into the possibility of one lately, and had a couple of
questions on it for anybody who might know.

-- All it is, is just one little piece that goes into one of your
"freeze plugs" on the block, right? Obviously it will come with a cord,
but does it include stuff to properly route the cord at all?

-- If anybody knows, where would this "freeze plug" be found on the 3.3
V6 block? I feel like I have sufficient technical skill to at least try
this myself, but could use a little information beforehand.

-- What kind of additional cost on an electric bill am I talking about
for typical use? If it helps, my electric rate is around US $0.10 per kWh.

-- Correct me if my understanding is wrong, but they function by passing
current through a heating element that sits submerged in antifreeze at
the bottom of the block, right? I would assume that the antifreeze would
then circulate because of temperature differences?

Thanks in advance.

--
Larry Harvilla
e-mail: larry AT phatpage DOT org
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Larry Harvilla said:
-- What kind of additional cost on an electric bill am I talking about for
typical use? If it helps, my electric rate is around US $0.10 per kWh.

-- Correct me if my understanding is wrong, but they function by passing
current through a heating element that sits submerged in antifreeze at the
bottom of the block, right? I would assume that the antifreeze would then
circulate because of temperature differences?
Click to expand...


I can't answer the first part as I've never seen the heater or installation.
As for operating cost, 10¢ a kWh means a 1000 watt heater would cost 10W an
hour to operate. a 500 watt would cost 5¢ per hour.

You are correct about the heat circulating. The idea of a block heater is
to keep the engine just warm enough for easy starting. I had one in a diesel
some years ago and plugged it in if the temperature was going to be below
about 25. Starting was easier and warm up was faster.

On my Sonata I had a remote starter installed. It is nice to just push the
button and later go out and have a car that is pretty warm and the heated
seat already on. If it is going to be frosty, I set the defroster to on and
the blower to medium speed. Block heaters are OK at home, but have no
advantage if you leave your car in a lot at work or a motel over night.
 
Larry;

I have installed a lower radiator hose heater myself.
It is the same principle as the block heather, but is installed inside the
lower rad. hose.
I used a 1500W heater and at temp of -5°C it takes about one hour to warm up
the engine.
Much easier to installed.
Get a new lower rad. hose, split it in half, insert the heater with the
provided hose clamps, drain radiator, remove (old, OEM) lower rad hose,
installed new rad hose/heater assembly with new hose clamp, et voila.

TheIceAge05
www.hyundai-forums.com
www.hmaservice.com
 
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