Engine block heater DIY install?

[slowmachine]

My local dealer ordered a block heater for me, and I stopped by the parts desk to see what it looked like before making a service appointment. It’s nothing like the old-fashioned pressed-in freeze plug replacements, this actually screws into a threaded hole near the top of the block on the intake side. An $80 option on a factory-ordered truck becomes a $280 retail purchase. I can live with that, but balked at the $700 estimate for installation.

From the illustrations that the parts guy could pull up on his computer, it doesn’t look too difficult, but he didn’t have access to anything that showed how to route and secure the wiring harness, and the service guy said they don’t have it either. I reluctantly left the dealer without the parts, but I will re-order if I can figure out how to install it correctly.

Where can I find Ford’s installation instructions? Has anyone done this?

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[daniel3507]

The picture I saw looks simple. I've learned nothing with this truck is simple though. Everything seems to be so cramped and tight. I'm interested in doing this though so hopefully someone knows more.

 

[Michel Jeanneau]

WOW!....$280 for the part and $700 for the install???What is this thing, made of gold?
Where in NH are you? I'm in the Dover/Portsmouth area. I have found that parts service in Manch-vegas, Exeter and Hampton tend to be on the pricey side....I don't know about up north, but Dover, Rochester and Portsmouth tend to be a hair more reasonable.

As for "wiring harness" for a block heater, there shouldn't be a need to connect it to anything within the truck wiring (it plugs in to an outdoor 115 VAC outlet), so it would just be a matter of routing a 16 GA two-wire from the block around the fan/belts via the firewall to the front grille...sounds like a shaft job to me. Which is too bad because I was considering getting a block heater for my truck (hate idling to warm up and normally I don't unless it is below zero). Let us know how you make out, there has to be a set of instructions on how to do this somewhere (shop manual?)

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hi Michel,

Here you go!

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

1. Fill and bleed the cooling system.
   Refer to: Cooling System Draining, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding (303-03 Engine Cooling - 2.3L EcoBoost (201kW/273PS), General Procedures).

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Michel Jeanneau]

Thanks Phil, I just took a look at the area in question and its a nightmare...

 

[slowmachine]

Hi Michel,

Here you go!

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

1. Fill and bleed the cooling system.
   Refer to: Cooling System Draining, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding (303-03 Engine Cooling - 2.3L EcoBoost (201kW/273PS), General Procedures).

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Thanks, Phil.

If these illustrations are indicative of the actual production parts, the design of the heater element has changed since early production. The component that the dealer sourced for my 2020 model threads into the block, with red thread sealant instead of an o-ring. The threaded section is probably 3/4" in depth, so that would indicate to me a substantial threaded boss in the block to receive the heater. That would be part number GJ7Z-6A051-B, and the electrical harness is KB3Z-6B018-B. I wonder what else may have changed. Also, the computer that I saw in the parts department showed illustrations working through the same rubber splash shield that you remove (at least partially) to change the oil filter. It also showed a large socket head (Allen-type) plug in the installation hole. I'm nearly due for an oil change, so I will poke around in there and see what access looks like from the wheel well.

 

[slowmachine]

WOW!....$280 for the part and $700 for the install???What is this thing, made of gold?
Where in NH are you? I'm in the Dover/Portsmouth area. I have found that parts service in Manch-vegas, Exeter and Hampton tend to be on the pricey side....I don't know about up north, but Dover, Rochester and Portsmouth tend to be a hair more reasonable.

As for "wiring harness" for a block heater, there shouldn't be a need to connect it to anything within the truck wiring (it plugs in to an outdoor 115 VAC outlet), so it would just be a matter of routing a 16 GA two-wire from the block around the fan/belts via the firewall to the front grille...sounds like a shaft job to me. Which is too bad because I was considering getting a block heater for my truck (hate idling to warm up and normally I don't unless it is below zero). Let us know how you make out, there has to be a set of instructions on how to do this somewhere (shop manual?)

I live in Alton, and I am working with Grappone Ford, in Concord, where I purchased the truck. They are a large multi-brand company, dealing in Toyota, Honda, Ford, Mazda, and Hyundai. I have not talked to other dealers to compare pricing. I have been a Grappone customer for about 10 years, and this is the 9th vehicle (but first Ford) that we have purchased from them. The Ford service department was very clear that they have never done this on a Ranger, and that it may take a long time due to their lack of experience. The cynic in me thinks that there should be a "book" rate for this job, and that I shouldn't be paying to train their technicians, so I am strongly considering doing it myself or asking my neighbor to do it at his shop.

The electrical harness has multiple built-in push connectors designed to fasten in specific locations in the engine bay. It seems best to use them as designed. There can only be so many variations, and I'm guessing it would be fairly obvious once the harness is attached to the heater element. The density of components in the engine bay is a serious obstacle, though, and I would feel better with an illustration that showed the intended mounting points.

 

[Michel Jeanneau]

Right, I am with you though about making it a diy project, which regardless of how you tacke it, you will need to at least partially drain the coolant from the engine and, by looking at the pages posted by Phil, it would seem a lot easier to just pull out the plastic intake manifold to get to the plug. I can see though why it is much cheaper to pre order your truck with the block heater rhan adding it later.....

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Right, I am with you though about making it a diy project, which regardless of how you tacke it, you will need to at least partially drain the coolant from the engine and, by looking at the pages posted by Phil, it would seem a lot easier to just pull out the plastic intake manifold to get to the plug. I can see though why it is much cheaper to pre order your truck with the block heater rhan adding it later.....

Hi Michel,

I also get the idea that purging air from the coolant system after the install can be problematic. Indications are the best way is evac and fill, which most dealers have capability to do now.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

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