Is there a block heater installed in these cars? I can't find a cord in the engine bay for one.

CM.

 

Back in 82-90 I was a Nissan Mechanic in Montana. Block heaters were a dealer add-on option. Never seen one come from the factory with one installed. Probably cost you around a 120 or so US$. We always charged .75 - 1 hour labor, parts, and some coolant. This is definitely based off of "past" experience. :-) So, if you weren't charged for it on your car invoice my guess its not there.... yet...

Check your purchase paperwork/window sticker for any info.

Smitty

 

Does the 3.5 in the 5th gen need a block heater for the winter?

CM.

 

My initial response would be no, it does not need one. But, if I were to live up north again where it gets below zero etc. I would have one installed. With a block heater it heats the coolant in/around the block thus when you start up the engine it warms that much faster and heat is available that much faster. Not sure if you ever had one in a car but it definitely makes a difference on very cold morning starts. The warmer engine also allows the oil to warm up and flow better. Many of our ranchers had block heaters and magnetic oil pan heaters on their farm trucks - best for really cold wx. That way your engine and oil in the pan are warmer and flow well from first start.

Depending on the severity of cold, I would say if I had a place to park and plug it in at night (or whenever) I would have one and use it. Better off for you and engine.

Stay warm!

Smitty

 

i agree...depend on how cold it gets and for how long.

unless you're running a motor w/ a glow plug in it...it's not going to have a engine heater. realistically you don't really need one..just give it the proper warm up time and you'll be ok.

 

Well it gets down to -47C some mornings here. Its just plain painfull listening to a dead cold engine trying to start on a morning like that.

I'll ask the dealer and see what the cost will be.

CM.

 

I would be very surprised if block heaters do not come standard on Maximas sold in Canada. I purchased a 2k2 in Alberta and I can say for 100% certainty that a block heater came standard on my car........I did not have to specially request it or pay extra for it or anything. I would have expected that 2k4 maximas would be no different.

At the same time, I can tell you that my block heater cord was wrapped and tucked neatly right underneath my hood, so if you do have a block heater, it is a bit of a mystery why you can't find the cord.

Coming from someone who also lives in a region where temperatures of -40C to -50C are not uncommon, I would definitely say that if you don't have one you should get one. Your car may still start without one, but it is very hard on a vehicle starting in those conditions when it is not plugged in.

 

Having lived in New Liskeard , I must agree that I would also add a block heater even to my new 04...I think it would even be easier on the starter and engine components to use one rather than bone-cold starting at temperatures below -20 celcius.. I don't bother in Lindsay, as avg temp is about -5C or a bit colder and I keep it in the garage all of the time.

P.S...****..what are you planning to do for tires?? I don't think the RSA's will be very good in the snow..I hate to consider putting on steel rims and snows...

 

Steel rims and snow tires. No hub caps!

Don't know what tire. I think there are limited choices in 225/55/17. There is a dealer in Quebec (Point Claire Nissan) that is selling a set of 17" rims, Toyo tires, and hubcaps, installed and balanced for $1199+tax. The dealer in Timmins is trying to see what they can do for me.

CM.

 

Well, I'm in Toronto, Canada, and my sales contract clearly says "includes block heater". This was added to the contract form.

So now it's getting cold and I'm looking for the wire... no wire. I tried to contact my "personal consultant" at my Nissan dealership but he's never around, so I left him voicemail. But he hasn't called back.

I'm also wondering about the Driver Preferred Package. I was told I received it, and I do have the mats with the Maxima logo in the passenger cabin. I don't know what else in includes but I think there was also supposed to be a matching trunk mat with the Maxima logo which I never received.

 

what exactly does a block heater do. does it just warm up the coolant? and how does it do it? some people were talking about a cord. so it plugs into a wall outlet and you leave it on all night? thanks

 

Yes to all..... :-)

Not sure what your "engine" knowledge is but every engine has what are known as freeze plugs, basically round plugs about 1.5 - 3 inches diameter depending on the engine that access the engine block water/coolant jacket areas. Most V-6's have about 4 -6 of them. Anyway, one of these is removed and the block heater takes its place. The blocker heater is just a round plug with an electric heat element "loop" sticking out of it with the cord attached. Fits in the freeze plug hole, seals up with an o-ring usually, then snugged down with a retainer screw assembly... The "heat/loop element" is then within the coolant and when plugged into 110-120 AC it warms up the coolant in the block, thus the block too. And yes you can leave it plugged in all night etc. - not hot enough to burn-up or overheat etc, but at -40 or so it can keep an engine at about 70 degrees. They work quite well. Due to the coolant/engine being warmer, you get warm air from the defrost/heater faster also...

 

The dealer in Peterborough where I bought my car is going to offer some 16" Cooper snows with steel rims mounted for about $899. Note these are will not have the same speed rating as the Toyo. I had some on my previous 2000 Max and they were fine.. Not as high end as the Toyo.

 

16" will not fit on an 04. A 17" rim is required to clear the brake calipers.

 

My 2k2 came standard with a BH, as did my dad's 2k4. But as mentioned, the cord is well hidden. I thought all Canadian Max's came with the block heaters....

 

I found the cord. To find it, with the hood open, if you face the front of the car, it will be just to the left of the radiator. Locate the radiator cap, look to the left and a bit deeper. Mine was folded and tied with a black plastic tie and some black tape that has torn. The cord is wrapped in a black shiny/nylon clothlike material. You can also find it by following the cord coming out from under the engine cover as shown in the photo below. Note that the plug is covered with a plastic protector which attached to the cord and can be removed and left to dangle.