Anyone ever installed a block heater in their 4.0 Cherokee?? I'm in WI, and during winters block heaters are really great.

I've got one in my pickup, so I asked a mechanic buddy of mine if he could install one. He said sure, and total cost would be $100. Since I value my time greatly, and have been working two jobs, that price seemed like a smokin deal so I had him install it.

First attempt, got the truck back after he'd complained about the o-ring not sealing, so it took a bit longer than he'd thought. The next day the truck started pissin coolant out, and I had to return the truck to my mechanic. According to him he was gonna get a new unit and replace.

When I got it back the second time the heater seemed to work fine. Minimal coolant loss was noticed, but I assumed it was just a bubble that had worked itself out.

When my wife tried to plug the block heater in a couple days ago, she noticed a loud POP and saw sparks coming from under the truck.

I told my mechanic about this problem, who talked to NAPA where he got the heater. From what he tells me NAPA refuses to do anything, so he's offered to re-install the freeze plug and make up the money spent somehow.

I want a block heater. I see no reason I should currently be without one.

Any thoughts, advice, or suggestions?

 

No one has any input?

 

Find someone to install it correctly? Or use a higher quality one

 

Wow that's crazy. Im also form wisconsin i have have installed block heaters on all 4 xjs i have owned with no problems it pretty.easy you.must.have gotten a bad heater is all i.can think of

 

Get your money back... get freeze plug put back in... Take someplace eles...As ^ said.. bad heater ... or Mechanic has no clue...

tons of dif types of heaters... i see a magnetic one.. one that goes in heater hose...
http://www.google.com/search?source=...1230af4bc08485

 

Greets: I've done a few. A mechanic should be able to able to make the install a lot easier than those that use monkey home tools. I have yet to try it on a 4.0L, though.., and have read it is difficult due to the small tight spaces, i.e., me thinks it's easier with vehicle up on a lift, rather than laying on one's back with bad lighting and all. (I'm 63, and no longer desire to go out and lay around the snow with the winds, etc.). The pop and sparks of that NAPA unit would seem to me to be a short in the electrical lead. Hmmm! It's minus 14 f. here right now, so what works ok is to simply use a 250watt self-adhesive heating pad, (possibly discontinued), placed on the bottom of the oil pan with red rtv sealant around all of it's edges to insure that it goes nowhere, i.e., like hitting snow-berms, running over rabbits, tree branches, rocks, road-debris, etc. At the very least, my oil will begin to circulate on start-up. I leave it on constantly when parked, and don't give a damn about the kilowatt hours, (only use it when temps. go below plus 20f.). Additionally, I too would like to have my coolent warmed up via a freeze, (-sans the plug), zone internal heater, but that will have to wait until summer when I, not some mechanic, (while driving another vehicle), can take care of that issue.., along with a new water pump, alternator, serpentine belt, front and rear main seals, etc., lol, etc. The pads once came in 250w, and 500w, etc., Moroso makes the variety I have used for all of my rigs. Currently, if you google around you can find this quick remedy. For example:http://performanceparts.com/part.php?partID=143283 you can get a 400watt version with a long enough power cord, (secured with your zip-ties), and routed up to your front bumper.., ready to plug into your extension cord set-up. If you go this way.., be sure to wrap the Moroso pad's cord completely around a handy spot, (360degree turn), a place you must determine.., to prevent the consequence from tugging on the Moroso male end--so as to prevent the connected end on the pad from ripping out, (re-soldering it is a *****). Hope this band-aid (pad), helps.., lol, btw; our cold front is liable to soon hit 'ya all hard.

 

^^^ yep ... use them heater pads to warm up freon tanks...

 

Well, the mechanic is a friend, but maybe he's not the best mechanic. He has his own shop, lift and all, but he's given me problems before.

And I consider him a decent friend as he's lived in my basement once before.

I think N20jeep had it right.

I'll have to do it myself with a block heater I find myself.

 

Save yourself the money and headache. A coolant line heater will take all of 30min to install yourself. They work great.