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So I figured out that my R320 CDI has a block heater pre-installed; all that is necessary is getting the power cord. So far, every Canadian Benz I've looked at has block heater pre-installed.
Anyway, the last thing I wanted was a cord dangling out from under the hood, so I went on a search for a good install kit. It turns out there aren't any . . . in North America anyway, so I extended my search to Europe, and this is what I found:
It's quite a nice little kit with extremely high quality materials. It does however need some modifying to add a North American wall plug and to splice in the plug that goes into the heater.
Your block heater looks like a large bronze hex nut with a black cap on it. It is located on the front of you engine to the lower left of the balancer pulley (crankshaft pulley). The first two pics show it with the power cord already installed. In the other pics you can see it with the cap on and off, and can also see that it is made in Canada, likely by Temro Phillips (who also makes ZeroStart heaters).
And finally here is my cable all installed. I put the receptacle in the driver's side for light insert and then looped up the extra length behind the headlight so I remove the foglight insert for servicing and what not.
Your bumper looks too shiny.. you need to drive in Quebec salt winters some..
Nice job... I have to take a look at my new R350.. I did put the plug on my old diesel R320. should have kept the cable...damn.
But.. Why the trouble for a European import. All you need is a 120V connector able to handle 150watts. should not be too difficult to find. I will look around.
I got the DEFA one because it has a very small receptacle and a spring loaded hinged door. Everything else I looked at was at least double the size and had just a rubber plug. The black wire is actually rubber coated armour cable. I found another receptacle at Princess Auto that's a only little bigger, but it has a large flange - I'm going to try that one on my E320 because the grille allows a little more for it.
Where did you buy that DEFA kit? How much did it cost you?
My plug has been installed by dealer (needed to rise the hood to use it, not very practical). I moved it to the grill, doesn't stick out but still, would be nice to hide it better.
Why not hiding it behind the office opening of the front light washer?? CiOndidering the numbers of times your going to use it in one year ( how many days below minus 20 c in Montreal per year???? 25?? ) it would be a good solution? I'm going to try this and will post pics.
... ( how many days below minus 20 c in Montreal per year???? 25?? )
Why -20? I was considering start using it when it falls below 0.
My plan is to lay down a cable from garage setting up timer controlled outlet. The control should come from from an easily reachable switch.
When i plan to go out, just hit the switch ~30 minutes before starting the car.
I got it from eBay. I think it worked out to about $140 with the shipping when converted from Euros. Not exactly a cheap solution, but it looks good.
It's not a bad idea warming it up even just at freezing. Sure it will start fine without it, but the cold starts are harder on the engine than the warms starts.
I found the same adaptor albeit with NA plug at local benz dealer.. Did not ask how much it cost but they did say there is none with the correct block heater connector for the R class. Even if they did, there is no place in the front grill to bring it out. Mine does have the normal plug/cord already.
For those looking, it is available at your MB dealer.. probably in stock for under $20.
The only spot that I can think of to bring it out is the towing hock hole. But then opening and closing that cover every day will eventually break it.
So..it will hang out the bottom.. or from under the hood.. will see.
so, for the question is is easy to open the thing, answer is yes, very !
if it's easy to extract the cable, more or less......but i'm planning on using it only in low low low temps.....so, couple 20 or 30 times a year.....
does that interfear with the washers : it should not : i will test it tomorow and get back .
only reason i did not use a mini plug is financial, i did not wanted to invest that mutch, and did not want to buy an extension cord that would ONLY be used for my car.
efzauner: that's a good find! I couldn't find a retailer in NA - and my local dealer is no use at all. I think it will still likely be more than $20 though.
All you have to do is cut off the one end and attach the proper end to fit to the heater.
I found the same adaptor albeit with NA plug at local benz dealer.
Do you mind mentioning what dealer was selling these?
I am in Montreal. Yesterday was passing by Toronto's main MB dealership on Dundas, asked about these DEFA kits. They had no idea what was that about.
The only option they could offer was this standard cable which in my case fell off after two years of pulling out.
Found the kit, exactly like the one pictured in https://mbworld.org/forums/r-class-w...ml#post6616101 but with NA plug.
At Silverstar Montreal. At just $60, it is surprisingly the cheapest part I ever bought for the car after rear wiper blade.
Mercedes part number BQ-602-0611
I had to call DEFA North America to find the part number, Mercedes parts dude was useless.
box
cables
Final look
Last edited by Yu Chem; Oct 21, 2017 at 08:28 PM.
Reason: Added final pics
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