Block Heater not working?

[Shaynelle]

Since moving from Vancouver to Winnipeg we had a block heater installed in our 1996 Astro Van. It seems even though we plug it in, it is really hard to start up and takes a few tries to turn it over. Is this normal? I haven't any experience with block heaters, but I assumed it would keep the engine (oil?) warm enough that it should start up on the first try.

[astro355]

Hello,

Well, there are a lot of reasons that could cause that. Really, see if its working, you would have to measure the temperature of the coolant. If the coolant is warmer than the outside air, its at least working to some degree. Pull the radiator cap off and measure it there. It may not be as hot as were the block heater is installed, but it should definitely be warmer than the great outdoors. Let us know what you find.

[Big_kid]

Sorry,
All I know about block heaters is that a car I bought for $75 in Tampa, FL had one in it. I never felt the need to see if it worked (or even to use any antifreeze in it- the water pump leaked).

[Leeann_93]

It also might not be a block heater issue - how old is your battery? It might not have enough CCA any more, if it ever did, for Winnipeg.

[astro355]

It also might not be a block heater issue - how old is your battery? It might not have enough CCA any more, if it ever did, for Winnipeg.

That's absolutely what I mean. There are so many things it could be. I just figured we could check off one item at a time.

[allwhite1100]

a block heater doesnt really mean it will be easy to start it is just insurance to keep the block from cracking in extreme weath but you can check it easily by starting the van and seeing how long it takes for the temp gauge to get up to normal temp less than 5 min its working more than that its not

[Shaynelle]

It's a brand new battery (2 months old) from Costco, so I doubt that's the issue but it's good to know, could always be a faulty battery. I just assumed with the van plugged in that it would turn over smoothly, so the block heater may be working fine. I'll keep an eye on how quickly the van warms up to temp. Thanks for the information everyone.

[maximus7001]

Greetings. I have had my 97 safari awd since new here in Winnipeg. Curently the temperature outside is -27c. When you plug it in listen through the grille for the hiss. If you hear nothing then your cord end is probably toast. I have never got 2 full winters out of any cord end ever on any vehicle. Simple, go to McDiarmid lumber and get a new end, costs $4 for a good one(yellow plastic 3 prong). I change these on all the vehicles once a year in October. Do not cheap out and try to use a cheaper one, you will be sorry.

After a vehicle sits outside in these conditions for more than 8 hours, the whole vehicle is frozen solid. I could pretty much guarantee that if it was not plugged in, it would not even start in the morning.

[lesterl]

Might by a small battery maintainer, it will keep the battery warm and promote faster cranking for better starts, plus keep the CCA up on the battery, it could be plugged into a splitter under the hood and 1 cord hanging out for the electric. I do something similar with a SOLAR PANNEL and it does help mine crank better. (mine sits for a few days at a time, altho it isnt as cold here.) I also sometimes when I need to take off with the little guy have a small ceramic heater I sit on the dash and plug in via an extension cord, helps the cab stay warm.

[Shaynelle]

Ugh! After no problems for a long time, the first semi-cold (minus 11 degrees celcius, not that cold for these parts!) the van would not start this morning. Hubby had to bicycle to work this morning!

We've had it in to a few mechanics who have checked it over for us, but this is ridiculous it not starting in non-frigid weather! I'll review the suggestions given above, and if anyone has other suggestions please let me know!

[Shaynelle]

Since this last post, we've moved (to Ontario where it's warmer but not by much!) and we're having a similar problem with the van not starting. Turns out last time it was a faulty battery, but this time hubby thinks it's something electrical. Odd thing is we just had it into a garage to have it safetied and I wasn't comfortable with the garage (they were dead, I was their only customer in two days the young guy who dropped me back at my house said) and they found a lot wrong with the van that I wasn't sure was actually wrong but my husband was deployed at the time so I said get it fixed so I could at least have the van insured and on the road.

When we got the van back, the drivers side lock no longer works, the emergency brake no longer works, they busted off one of the brackets that holds the windshield washer fluid, the ABS service light is on, and the van would not start easily (took 2-4 tries to get it to turn over). I was so upset that I can't go back, I feel they would only take me for even more money to fix these things that I feel they broke.

So this morning our van won't start at all. Hubby thinks its an electrical issue possible to do with fuel supply. We had the battery tested and it's good. Hubby is an electrician, albeit not a mechanic so he may or may not be able to figure out if it's the electrical or not. Any other suggestions we can check?

[strangerock]

Check the battery cables , maybe there is a bunch of the green corrosion inside ,.... maybe the starter is drawing to much current......is there a draw that shouldn't be there... ie. maybe the console light stays on when closed......?

[Shaynelle]

Thanks, all checked and all good. We had a guy come by last night and he thinks it may be the distributor belt. Sounds expensive to replace though... engine has to come out?

[Phantom]

Thanks, all checked and all good. We had a guy come by last night and he thinks it may be the distributor belt. Sounds expensive to replace though... engine has to come out?

A distributor belt? The distributor has no belts ,,,,the only belt on the engine is the serpentine belt which is only one belt that drives all accessories , a/c , alternator water pump fan blade ..it can be replaced in a few minutes , no need to remove engine

your starter may be old and drawing more juice which is straining the electrical system , and easy replace

basics test ,, check for good spark , if you have good spark , then it be fuel related , could be a blown fuse , sorry to hear pf people doing you wrong

your problem does not sound serious , why would engine need to come out , just because it won't start ,,,some missing info , no reason to remove engine unless to want to rebuild it or replace it
The only thing that can be compared to this is the possibility that the timing chain has jumped a couple teeth throwing the timing off , which can make it harder to start , it can be compensated for by turning the dist a little to adjust timing to make it run , but you would have likely noticed performance problems while driving around in the van , and it can be replaced without removing the engine , seems that your mechanic wants to pad the bill by doing things that are not needed

kinda sounds like you gonna get ripped off ,,, can you explain in more detail?

[RECox286]

I wonder if your "guy" has any land for sale in Fla ? After he does your Distributor Belt, send him over here.

Geez ! ( Lord give these people strength. Dunno, maybe it's a Canada thing ? )

Bob

[Jasen]

I'm pretty sure the distributor belt is hooked to the distributor pulley and in turn the belts runs to the squirrel wheel. Check that your squirrel is not dead or been replaced with a mouse. A mouse does not have long enough legs to spin your distribute at proper speeds for freeway driving.

In other words. I'm with those guys ^

[Shaynelle]

Thanks, all checked and all good. We had a guy come by last night and he thinks it may be the distributor belt. Sounds expensive to replace though... engine has to come out?

A distributor belt? The distributor has no belts ,,,,the only belt on the engine is the serpentine belt which is only one belt that drives all accessories , a/c , alternator water pump fan blade ..it can be replaced in a few minutes , no need to remove engine

your starter may be old and drawing more juice which is straining the electrical system , and easy replace

basics test ,, check for good spark , if you have good spark , then it be fuel related , could be a blown fuse , sorry to hear pf people doing you wrong

your problem does not sound serious , why would engine need to come out , just because it won't start ,,,some missing info , no reason to remove engine unless to want to rebuild it or replace it
The only thing that can be compared to this is the possibility that the timing chain has jumped a couple teeth throwing the timing off , which can make it harder to start , it can be compensated for by turning the dist a little to adjust timing to make it run , but you would have likely noticed performance problems while driving around in the van , and it can be replaced without removing the engine , seems that your mechanic wants to pad the bill by doing things that are not needed

kinda sounds like you gonna get ripped off ,,, can you explain in more detail?

Sorry, that info was second hand via my husband. I have never heard of a distributor belt before either, but I do know enough to know that I don't know it all... I just confirmed with hubby if he was told "distributor belt" and he shrugged and said "some kind of belt" and I also confirmed if the guy said the engine may have to come out and hubby said "thats what he (meaning mechanic) said".

I doubt this guy is going to rip us off as they work together. This of course doesn't guarantee he won't rip us off, but I highly doubt it. I imagine it's more of a miscommunication thing. He's going to call us back probably this evening or tomorrow evening once he's had a chance to do some diagnostics and figure out for certain what it is (keeping in mind the guy stopped by after work to see if he could get the van started, and he stressed his initial thoughts on what it could be may not be the case), so once I know more I can post.

I'm pretty sure the distributor belt is hooked to the distributor pulley and in turn the belts runs to the squirrel wheel. Check that your squirrel is not dead or been replaced with a mouse. A mouse does not have long enough legs to spin your distribute at proper speeds for freeway driving.

In other words. I'm with those guys ^

I wonder if your "guy" has any land for sale in Fla ? After he does your Distributor Belt, send him over here.

Geez ! ( Lord give these people strength. Dunno, maybe it's a Canada thing ? )

Bob

Seriously you two? Do you both feel like bigger men for being rude to me now?

[Leeann_93]

They're not being rude to you - they thought the guy was yanking your chain. Seriously.

[Phantom]

Sorry, that info was second hand via my husband. I have never heard of a distributor belt before either, but I do know enough to know that I don't know it all... I just confirmed with hubby if he was told "distributor belt" and he shrugged and said "some kind of belt" and I also confirmed if the guy said the engine may have to come out and hubby said "thats what he (meaning mechanic) said".

I doubt this guy is going to rip us off as they work together. This of course doesn't guarantee he won't rip us off, but I highly doubt it. I imagine it's more of a miscommunication thing. He's going to call us back probably this evening or tomorrow evening once he's had a chance to do some diagnostics and figure out for certain what it is (keeping in mind the guy stopped by after work to see if he could get the van started, and he stressed his initial thoughts on what it could be may not be the case), so once I know more I can post.

Just trying give you info ,,,there is no belt on these engines other than the accessory belt , will not prevent engine from stating ,,, on some engines there is a timing belt instead of a timing chain , but any experienced mechanic will not call a timing chain a belt a belt is made from rubber , a chain is like a bicycle is motorcycle chain , and still the engine does not need to be removed to replace it , protect your self , get a list of parts that will be replaced , get a signed written contract with what work will be done , There are many TV small claims court shows that consume much of daily TV airtime with the litigants being former best friends over deals like this , not saying it will happen to you , just protect yourself , can't help but notice that your hubby is no mechanic , but the guy he works with is? There is enough experienced mechs here that surely we can help guide you ,,, as it is said " get it in writing'

[RECox286]

Pardon the comment. I was not trying to be rude, merely empathetic to your situation. If you read the post that sparked the comment and understood that what you wrote made no

sense to us 'grizzly ol' timers', I can only believe that you would have been so moved also. It can be difficult, to say the least, to try to figure out what the problem is from afar, without seeing, hearing

and being able to do a diagnosis without knowing exactly what the condition of the truck is mechanically. It may be a very simple fix, but sometimes you just gotta be hovering over the problem child

to pinpoint the fox in the henhouse. I'm sure you have certain skills where, when there is a problem you just know what the fix is without thinking about it. No ?

We know that you are not a mechanic, yet trying to eke out meaning when the proper terminology is not used IE: "The truck turns over but doesn't catch fire" could mean several things...

One must try to be a little more mechanic speak specific in posting symptoms. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Bob