Date:         Sat, 11 Jan 1997 19:03:51 -0800
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Todd Francis <tbf@pacifier.com>
Subject:      Re: cold start strategies

Lawrence Johnson wrote:
> 
> Todd Francis wrote:
> >
> > Hi: I don't know how common block heaters are in the States. The Tristar
> > I have came from Canada and it is equiped with a block heater that is a
> > 3/4" thick plastic block
> 
> I would have sworn that it was aluminum.
> 
> > with heating elements in it that fits under and
> > against the engine block. I could climb underneath to see if I can find
> > any markings or part numbers if I was coaxed. I bring this up because
> > this is the only one I have ever seen and assume it is a VW piece.
> 
> They are very common in Canada and yes I believe they are a VW part.
> 
> Larry

Yes ,you are right. It is alumminum. VW PN LR20976    Model 200w  It
also says "Made in Canada" Eh?
When I recently changed the oil (The first time I have changed it myself
in this transporter) I saw the heater and was surprised to see it there.
It is broken however, (there is a little arm that reaches over to a case
bolt that is snapped off) like plastic does, and add several thousand
miles of road grime that made it look black like plastic and I just
thought it was---- well you guess. Actually this is good news. Now I
should be able to TIG it back together. Jeez, you can't get away with
anything on the list. 

Todd Francis
91 Tristar
86 Westy Syncro