i dont have one.. do some do? i know you can buy one.. but if our cars wern't originally designed to have one, then where and how do i install one into the block? someone mentioned something about one being magnetic, is that the only way?

 

no block heater on a maxima. pretty sure you can get one from jegs.com or jcwhitney.com and I think they attach to the oil pan

 

here are a couple of links to some on jcwhitney:

Tank Type heater(not sure if it fits..what size are the heater hoses on VGs and VEs?..they come with 5/8" fittings and you can buy a 1/2" adapter from them)
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...&storeId=10101

Dipstick-type heater
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...&storeId=10101

You could get both and never have to worry about cold oil or coolant

Oh, here's one of the oil pan type:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...&storeId=10101

P.S. If anyone happens to know off the top of their head what size our heater hoses are, please enlighten me..I'll buy one of the 1000w tank type heaters for sure if they fit, and maybe one of the dipstick heaters as well..

 

You know, I was thinking about the tank heater, but I wonder if it would work on a Max with the automatic climate control. The tank heater connects to the heater hose, so I'm assuming it heats the coolant, it flows through the heater core and back into the block to complete the circuit again, but if the climate control is off, does the water **** (I have to spell it like this 'cause the system thinks I mean the other kind of **** and edits it out ) valve thingy close or stay open? I know it's vacuum controlled, so I'm thinking when the vacuum goes, the **** closes and you won't get very good flow into the heater core. People with the standard climate control, can just leave the temperature lever at full hot.

Anyhow, I bought a similar type, but it mounts to the lower rad hose. I'm figuring this one will work better since it can heat the coolant in the lower hose and the heated coolant will flow into the block bypassing the heater core entirely. Have yet to test it out - just installed it tonight in -15c temps. Took me hours to get all the damn air out of the heater core.

 

normally they go in place of one of the freeze plugs, or you just drill into one of them.

hmmm, I guess aftermarket ones just go in the hoses.

 

You could get the kind that fits into the frost plug, but having done both, I think the hose type is easier to install. Removing a frost plug is a major pain. The only other kind I've seen was on my '92 Honda Accord, which had the biggest drain plug on the block that I've ever seen. You simply removed the gigantic drain plug, and the block heater screwed in to replace it. Maybe Honda is not so DUH for certain things.

 

Honestly, Honda makes VERY good products. well thought out and over-engineered so people never have to work on them. engines are nearly bulletproof- until you start sticking big blue bottles or blowers on them.

It's the ricer community that has given Honda their bad name, not the other way around.

 

Or until the timing belt breaks on the interference engine......

 

Believe me, I've owned 3 Accords and 2 Civics, and I agree with you. Mechanically they are very dependable. However, I do have to wonder at some of the thinking behind some of their controls and ergonomics. There's another thread here where I've mentioned the way the defrost mode works with the A/C, I still can't figure out why the sunroof switch is on the dash rather than near the sunroof, and worst of all - every Accord I've been in as soon as you 'think' about resting your arm on the shifter (automatic) it slips from 4th to 3rd. Everyone else in the world has their shifter stop at 4 and if you want 3 you have to push the shifter button to move the shifter. Oh well, minor gripes really. I honestly like Honda's. How about the new TL??!!

 

if anybody wants - I still have a battery heater (new) for sale

 

Here is my two cents (I’ve sold/installed lots):
Frost plug heaters are the most effective and most efficient, but can be tricky to install.
The inline tank heaters are less efficient and effective but still pretty good. However, the heater control valve must stay open with the vehicle off. So if you have automatic climate control it probably won’t work. It will just heat the hose between the unit and control valve until the hose fails and all your coolant drains out.
The magnetic ones are good for creating a lot of smoke if your oil pan is dirty and they are not as efficient as they seem. By design the heated surface hangs just below the pan which really limits the amount of heat getting the pan and ultimately the rest of the block.
Dipstick heaters are just that, at 60watts or so they have trouble heating a cup of water at room temp.

 

Have you any experience with the lower rad hose type?

 

my first 92 Max (Ve 5-spd) came with a block heater, but I bought it used, so it must have been put on there by the first owner.

 

Ooops missed that one, I'd rate them just below a tank heater. There are pretty good and easy to install but they don't promote circulation like tank style heaters do.