Date:         Sat, 30 Sep 2000 10:03:38 -0500
Reply-To:     Marshall Ruskin <mruskin@PANGEA.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Marshall Ruskin <mruskin@PANGEA.CA>
Subject:      Re: re. heat in vw vans, block heater for WBX
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

>Hydesmith <hydesmith@MAC.COM>
>Wrote:
>
>Also, as far as I know, there is no way to
>install a block heater, even in the Vanagon water-cooled models as
>there are no frost plugs. Block heaters are something you southern
>folks won't know anything about, but they are high wattage 120volt
>plug-in heaters which warm your engine blocks and are required if you
>want to be able to start your vehicle once it drops below -20 degrees
>---------------------------------
>
>Yes, you can get block heaters for the WBX.  Both of my vans have them, 84
>and 87.  Its an external heating element plate which fits under the case,
>near the drain plug.  It heats the case and oil.  Its a VW Canada only item
>I think.
>If anybody needs one and can't get one, I have a few heaters from  late
>model jettas which are similiar.  You would need to make brackets to hold
it
>in place.
>
>I park in an unheated garage and have never had to use the block heater
>though.
>
>Gary Lee
>Calgary, Alberta, Canada


Gary - what you describe is not a block heater - it is an oil pan heater,
not at all the same thing.

If you ever had the need to use it, you would learn that it is next to
useless to help start your car.

Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy

Winnipeg, Manitoba