installing a block heater on my 98 DX???
 

My 3" thick honda service manual doesn't seem to have anything about this. Anyone done this? Where does it go? Any pics or instuctions? I'm looking at getting this one: http://www.napaonline.com/masterpage...eeze+Plug+Type

Thanks.

RE: installing a block heater on my 98 DX???
 

maybe it's not for honda??? that's the first time i've seen that. what is it?? what does it do?

RE: installing a block heater on my 98 DX???
 

those are for deisel engines. the way deisel engines work is by compressing the air before introducing the feul, then injecting the feul at TDC. since physics tell us that when something compresses it heats up, the air is hot and ignites the feul when it enters the engine. this allows for much higher CR's and better feul economy. however, in the winter the intake air is cold enough that even compressed its not hot enough to ingnite the feul, so some genius came up with these 'block heaters' that heat up the air inside the cylinders.

at least im pretty sure thats what that is. its kinda vauge.

RE: installing a block heater on my 98 DX???
 

Yeah man, block heaters are for diesels. You don't need it, we these fancy things called, now this is important, "spark plugs". Diesels don't. Thats why they need block heaters. On cold days/nights, they can't get the fuel to ignite from compression alon, we have that nice little spark to start our babies. Leave the block heater for somone else to buy.

RE: installing a block heater on my 98 DX???
 

Hari - that is the part napa indicates as fitting my civic. They heat the coolant in the block (see below).

Nail- Block heaters are not just for diesels.. the genius that came up with this exact type of block heater (see link) for gas engines did so to heat the coolant in the block for faster warmups (includes warm heat within a couble mins) in cold winter conditions. The oems block heaters (both freeze plug types) on my Ranger and F150 (both are non-diesel engines) worked so nice this past winter here in Alaska, I have made the determination that I will be putting one in my civic.

Here's some info on installing the genuine honda part on a '02: http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...hidmodel=Civic
and where you see "HEATER, ENGINE BLOCK" click on the Installation Instructions to download the PDF.

Since my original question was install on my older civic (assume its different than the '02 model instructions above)..........anyone else?

RE: installing a block heater on my 98 DX???
 

****, I drive a 98 DX coupe also and might like a block heater also. Let us know if you find anything out.

RE: installing a block heater on my 98 DX???
 

My car takes like 4 minutes to get the heat goin in january.

RE: installing a block heater on my 98 DX???
 

Pete, but than again we're not in teh Far North:-D

RE: installing a block heater on my 98 DX???
 

mine took like five in december for me...and im in west michigan....and lake-effect snow is a bitch.

RE: installing a block heater on my 98 DX???
 

Got the one from the Napa in the link above. It's a heavy duty piece and looks like I will just unscrew the coolant plug (its right next to the oil filter) that is in there now, and screw this on in. Hardest part will be draining the coolant without killing all the local pussy cats. I intend on intalling it this weekend and will post back with a few pics when I'm done.