BLOCK HEATER

WHAT IS A BLOCK HEATER?

A block heater is what keeps the engine warm enough to provide proper lubrication at start up (oil is thinner when warm and so reaches the top end of the engine sooner)

How will I know when it's time for replacement?

Place your mouse over the picture to find out more about coolant and the two different types available

• Most often if a block heater is not working you will notice that the engine turns over slower and may have to crank excessively to start on colder days.

• Sometimes a block heater will be the cause of an antifreeze leak from the vehicle.  This will be seen as a puddle of pink or green fluid on the ground (color depending on the year of the vehicle as two types of coolant are available).

• Your cooling system should be inspected at each service visit and the system flushed every 24,000 miles or 40,000 km.  Coolant that is not flushed periodically will become acidic and cause failure in the block heater and or other components within the cooling system.

DID YOU KNOW.......

Not replacing your coolant as recommended can cause failure of the block heater and or other cooling system parts such as the water pump or radiator hoses.  This is one of the many instances where sub sequential damage may add up to being more than the cost of the original repair.  Have your cooling system inspected every 3 months / 3,000 miles or 5,000 km and flushed as recommended (every 24,000 miles or 40,000 km for most vehicles) to prevent any further cost for repairs due to lack of maintenance.