EcoDiesel Block Heater Installation

[Bronyaur]

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.

I have read, and been told, that they stopped including the heater due to parts shortages. I did not mean to imply that a dealer should install it at their expense. Jeep should allow for the option to be installed at the buyer’s request if the vehicle has a cold weather package or simply include it and add the cost to the package. It would be far cheaper (and convenient for the customer) to install it at the factory than pay the dealer several hundred dollars to do it. In the event of a parts shortage, refund the cost from the package at the time of purchase or allow the buyer to pick it up when it comes in. They can then pay the dealer or install it themselves.

To not include a block heater for a diesel with a cold weather package is asinine. It would be like not including an integrated trailer brake controller with a towing package.

Sponsored

 

[Mr._Bill]

I have read, and been told, that they stopped including the heater due to parts shortages. I did not mean to imply that a dealer should install it at their expense. Jeep should allow for the option to be installed at the buyer’s request if the vehicle has a cold weather package or simply include it and add the cost to the package. It would be far cheaper (and convenient for the customer) to install it at the factory than pay the dealer several hundred dollars to do it. In the event of a parts shortage, refund the cost from the package at the time of purchase or allow the buyer to pick it up when it comes in. They can then pay the dealer or install it themselves.

To not include a block heater for a diesel with a cold weather package is asinine. It would be like not including an integrated trailer brake controller with a towing package.

Jeep doesn't include a brake controller with the towing package, and they don't include a block heater with the cold weather package. It has always been a separate order item. First year buyers weren't happy if they found out the block heater charge was just to install the cord. Second year buyers weren't happy when they found out they actually had to pay the cost to get the block heater installed. The change was more likely a cost cutting measure than a parts shortage issue. Why hand out block heaters if they are not ordering or paying for them?

The design change makes the block heater easier to install and service. It is similar to the dry socket heater used on the gas engine, but much easier and quicker to install.

 

[Bronyaur]

Jeep doesn't include a brake controller with the towing package, and they don't include a block heater with the cold weather package. It has always been a separate order item. First year buyers weren't happy if they found out the block heater charge was just to install the cord. Second year buyers weren't happy when they found out they actually had to pay the cost to get the block heater installed. The change was more likely a cost cutting measure than a parts shortage issue. Why hand out block heaters if they are not ordering or paying for them?

The design change makes the block heater easier to install and service. It is similar to the dry socket heater used on the gas engine, but much easier and quicker to install.

May have always been, but doesn’t make it right. Other vehicle manufacturers are able to make it work. It is my opinion that a block heater should be part of a cold weather package and I’m willing to pay for it up front.

 

[Mr._Bill]

May have always been, but doesn’t make it right. Other vehicle manufacturers are able to make it work. It is my opinion that a block heater should be part of a cold weather package and I’m willing to pay for it up front.

I agree that it should be part of the Cold Weather Package, but for Jeep it is a profit motivated decision. If you have a good dealer that knows their market, they will order the block heater where it will be needed. The problem with including it in the Cold Weather Package is people in the southern areas don't need it and only order the package for the heated seats and steering wheel.

 

[Bronyaur]

I agree that it should be part of the Cold Weather Package, but for Jeep it is a profit motivated decision. If you have a good dealer that knows their market, they will order the block heater where it will be needed. The problem with including it in the Cold Weather Package is people in the southern areas don't need it and only order the package for the heated seats and steering wheel.

Ford used to include a block heater in every diesel. With the 2017 year model, they started including them only in vehicles that were shipped to 8 different zones, all of which were cold weather areas. I know this as I bought my ‘17 F250 in a warm climate area, then a few years later moved to a cold climate. Then, as now, many people were telling me it should already be installed, but it wasn’t there. I had to pay over $200 for the heater and it was a royal pain to install,, but I understand why it hadn’t come already installed. Had I bought it where I now live it would have been there (I have confirmed this). As I said, other manufacturers have figured it out.

Having said that, at least Mopar made the heater much easier to install with the new design. That made it a bit more palatable.

 

[22EcoDs]

So after reading this, I know my 2022 did not come with one. Do I check for a brass plug and order this 2023 model ?

 

[Mr._Bill]

So after reading this, I know my 2022 did not come with one. Do I check for a brass plug and order this 2023 model ?

I think you'll have to climb under and take a picture of what you have and get a picture of the 2023 plug to compare it to. If you're lucky, you'll just need the new heater and cord. Otherwise, you'll have to decide between installing the old style heater, or replacing the plug with the newer version that will accept the new style heater.

 

[rharr]

I feel lucky to have a heater in my engine from the factory for when it gets down to 50 here in the desert....

I may just buy the cord so it can be functional if i ever really need it.

 

[Rusty PW]

Old style block heater. Got down to 19F last night. Block heater on timer set to come on at 5am, off at 7:15am. When I climbed in. The water and oil temps were 71F before starting the engine.

 

[Almost]

So after reading this, I know my 2022 did not come with one. Do I check for a brass plug and order this 2023 model ?

I ordered mine from All mopar parts and you can put the VIN in to confirm. It seems the switch over was sometime during 2022 model year so it's not cut and dry 2022 or 2023. I have a 1/18/22 build date and it was the just a brass plug and I bought the old one. Cost me $60 for the heating element and $60 for the mopar cord. The Mopar cord comes with factory clips for easy OEM like finish.

 

[Vtur]

Early 2021, block heater was offered as a standalone option even though it's already comes with it from the factory without selecting that option. Wondering how many actually paid for it at the time.

 

[Vtur]

I have no use for the heater here in CA. But if i do, i would power it with something like a Jackery and a timer. And recharging it while running.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Early 2021, block heater was offered as a standalone option even though it's already comes with it from the factory without selecting that option. Wondering how many actually paid for it at the time.

Getting it factory installed without ordering it was one of those secret bonus options. They finally fixed it, and those that were expecting it to be there were upset when it wasn't. The one's that did pay for the option, during that time, got the power cord factory installed.

 

[Holeshot]

Got my cord today, will install tomorrow and report back later.

Why is there threads on the heater, but nothing on the cord to thread it? ? thats kinda dumb.

 

[YYC Rubicon]

Got my cord today, will install tomorrow and report back later.

Why is there threads on the heater, but nothing on the cord to thread it? ? thats kinda dumb.

Same as mine. I had to remove the fender liner to get the block heater installed. It clipped in easy but couldn't get the fingers in with the fender liner in the way.

Sponsored