EcoDiesel Block Heater Installation

[YYC Rubicon]

Here are the online costs (CAD$) and part numbers for the block heater and cable
68523853AA Heater $147.75 CAD
68535072AA Wiring $99.80 CAD

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[Holeshot]

Thanks, ordered the cord from moparcanadaparts ?

 

[jeepstrjohn]

So for the 2023 models that new style heater (68523853AA) just pushs in to the existing brass plug in the block? Looking at the pictures of it seems like it has a shaft connecting the insert with the plug end, is that just some sort of extension or what? Or, does that thing drive through the existing brass plug? Just wanted to see if any of you have actually installed the newer style yet before I commit to it, thanks!

 

[Bronyaur]

So for the 2023 models that new style heater (68523853AA) just pushs in to the existing brass plug in the block? Looking at the pictures of it seems like it has a shaft connecting the insert with the plug end, is that just some sort of extension or what? Or, does that thing drive through the existing brass plug? Just wanted to see if any of you have actually installed the newer style yet before I commit to it, thanks!

I just installed it. It does not drive through it. It heats up the brass plug. It seems far less efficient than the heater that touches the coolant. I haven’t used mine yet. I tested it but that’s it. As far as the "extension"-looking part, it’s just hourglass shaped. The middle section just appears to be the heater element.

 

[jeepstrjohn]

I just installed it. It does not drive through it. It heats up the brass plug. It seems far less efficient than the heater that touches the coolant. I haven’t used mine yet. I tested it but that’s it. As far as the "extension"-looking part, it’s just hourglass shaped. The middle section just appears to be the heater element.

So the heating element is exsposed to the air? I tend to agree with your assumption that it might not be as efficient as the one that replaces the brass plug. Thanks for the feedback on the actual installation!

 

[Bronyaur]

So the heating element is exsposed to the air? I tend to agree with your assumption that it might not be as efficient as the one that replaces the brass plug. Thanks for the feedback on the actual installation!

The element appears to be encased in the metal housing.

 

[Holeshot]

Will report back later with install and impressions. We should get -20°C soon enough here, we see down to -40°C a couple times in the winter. Having a block heater is mandatory, those stupid dealers are too cheap to install them before they sell the vehicules.

 

[69charged]

I moved to a new house with no heated garage so I am going to get the dealer to install the block heater for me. They charge 700 friggin dollars to install it there! I really don’t let others touch my vehicles, but I just want to get in and drive it when it gets here. I’m tempted to tell them to bugger off and do it myself for a couple hundred.

 

[Bronyaur]

I moved to a new house with no heated garage so I am going to get the dealer to install the block heater for me. They charge 700 friggin dollars to install it there! I really don’t let others touch my vehicles, but I just want to get in and drive it when it gets here. I’m tempted to tell them to bugger off and do it myself for a couple hundred.

1. Jack up the R/F and remove the wheel.
2. Reach in with the heater and insert it into the brass plug until it clicks and is seated firmly.
3. Reach in with the cord and plug it into the heater. It only goes one way.
4. Route the cord up to the front bumper or wherever you want it.
5. Put the wheel back on and lower the jack.
6. Spend your $500 on something worthwhile.

 

[69charged]

1. Jack up the R/F and remove the wheel.
2. Reach in with the heater and insert it into the brass plug until it clicks and is seated firmly.
3. Reach in with the cord and plug it into the heater. It only goes one way.
4. Route the cord up to the front bumper or wherever you want it.
5. Put the wheel back on and lower the jack.
6. Spend your $500 on something worthwhile.

There are 2 styles of block heater in this thread. The new 23 style just slides into a plug that’s there? I just installed a block heater in my son’s Cummins. We had to remove a brass plug and lose some coolant and thread this one in. Am I understanding it right that the new style mopar one isn’t like that?

 

[Bronyaur]

There are 2 styles of block heater in this thread. The new 23 style just slides into a plug that’s there? I just installed a block heater in my son’s Cummins. We had to remove a brass plug and lose some coolant and thread this one in. Am I understanding it right that the new style mopar one isn’t like that?

You understand correctly. The block still comes with a brass plug installed but the new style heater slides into a hole in the center of the brass plug and a metal clip holds it in.

 

[69charged]

You understand correctly. The block still comes with a brass plug installed but the new style heater slides into a hole in the center of the brass plug and a metal clip holds it in.

Is a person able to get the other style still? The one I put in my son’s truck is the normal thread in style. I like that idea better.

I’d rather thread this in. Anyone know the depth of that hole, or have the thread in style to measure how long it is?
Thanks
Clarence

 

[Bronyaur]

Is a person able to get the other style still? The one I put in my son’s truck is the normal thread in style. I like that idea better.

I’d rather thread this in. Anyone know the depth of that hole, or have the thread in style to measure how long it is?
Thanks
Clarence

I’d be willing to bet that the thread-in block heater for the ‘22 Gladiator (or earlier) would probably be an exact replacement for the installed block plug in the ‘23. Not sure why they changed the heater other than to make it easier to install, but the brass plugs I’ve seen from the earlier models look just like the ‘23. The new model heater looks much less efficient. The older model was hard to find and the parts guy at the dealer said it would be at least a 5-10 day delay. I found it online but way too expensive and shipping was outrageous. So, I kept the new style and we’ll see how it works. I just plugged mine in for the first time tonight. I’ll give an update tomorrow.

 

[Bronyaur]

Block heater came on at 4am and I unplugged it at 8:30am. Truck started as usual and the temp gauge showed just slightly higher than bottomed out. Air from the vents was slightly warm and warmed up quickly. When I put it in gear it sounded normal, unlike the past few days where the engine sounded like it was coming apart. I question the efficiency of the new style heater over the old style but it works. I still think the dealer should offer to install it on any Gladiator that has the cold weather package.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Block heater came on at 4am and I unplugged it at 8:30am. Truck started as usual and the temp gauge showed just slightly higher than bottomed out. Air from the vents was slightly warm and warmed up quickly. When I put it in gear it sounded normal, unlike the past few days where the engine sounded like it was coming apart. I question the efficiency of the new style heater over the old style but it works. I still think the dealer should offer to install it on any Gladiator that has the cold weather package.

The dealer will happily install it, if you pay them. Nothing is free. Why should they give you something that Jeep purposely did not include? The block heater has always been a separate purchase item. However, when the diesel was first introduced, they all came with the block heater installed and you just had to buy the cord. That ended sometime after the first year, and there were surprises when people bought the cord expecting the heater to be there and found just the brass plug.

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