Where is the Engine Block Heater?

[TonyPSchaefer]

The window sticker says that there's an Engine Block Heater. When I asked about it, the salesman said, "yeah, Ford's putting them in all their cars now." When I asked where it was he said, "I don't really know but you'll never use it." Three people came out and looked but no one could find it. He asked that when I do find it I should tell him so he'd know.

 

First: Is it true that Ford's putting EBHs in all their cars?

Second: Where exactly is the EBH? Pictures would be appreciated.

Third: Does anyone else think that was a really poor reply on his part?

[Zacher]

The window sticker says that there's an Engine Block Heater. When I asked about it, the salesman said, "yeah, Ford's putting them in all their cars now." When I asked where it was he said, "I don't really know but you'll never use it." Three people came out and looked but no one could find it. He asked that when I do find it I should tell him so he'd know.

 

First: Is it true that Ford's putting EBHs in all their cars?

Second: Where exactly is the EBH? Pictures would be appreciated.

Third: Does anyone else think that was a really poor reply on his part?

 

1) - Canada that's pretty much guaranteed, or at least a very good idea to have one.

2) - The plug is on the Passenger side snugged up against the front grill. Took me half a day to find it properly, but basically go from the Hood Latch towards the passenger side and you'll see the cord. it should be snug against the front of the car and in it's own clip. I can take a pic tonight and send it.

3) - Yes that is a poor reply if you ask me. On this model you'll have to take the cord from it's clip and "pinch" it between the hood, unless you can get the dealer to route it to the bottom front.

 

Hope this helps.

[bbf2530]

The window sticker says that there's an Engine Block Heater. When I asked about it, the salesman said, "yeah, Ford's putting them in all their cars now." When I asked where it was he said, "I don't really know but you'll never use it." Three people came out and looked but no one could find it. He asked that when I do find it I should tell him so he'd know.

 

First: Is it true that Ford's putting EBHs in all their cars?

Second: Where exactly is the EBH? Pictures would be appreciated.

Third: Does anyone else think that was a really poor reply on his part?

 

 

Hi TonyP. :D No, engine block heaters are not standard equipment on all Ford cars. It is strictly an option on all Fusion models in the U.S. and Canada. In the U.S. most vehicles do no need one and do not have one. As Zacher said, it would almost be a "must have" in Canada, but it is still strictly an option.

 

Zacher gave you a good description of the location. Sorry, I don't have one so I can't provide pictures.

 

I agree that it was a poor reply. First, it was incorrect. Second, he should have located the cord for you or had someone else do it if he was ignorant of its location.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited April 20, 2010 by bbf2530

[rpreuss]

Hi Tony,

 

I agree with everyone that you were given a very lame answer.

 

But to add my 2 cents, (Assuming that in this forum we are discussing the hybrid) I would definitely suggest that anyone living in an area where the outside temp is regularly under 32 F (or so) and their car is not in a garage, that they order the block heater.

 

It is not that expensive, and having a warm engine when you start out in the morning, you will certainly save on gas. This is because your engine will not have to run to just warm up the water to heat your cabin. In fact, a lot of us have learned that, if it isn't too cold, the heat can be turned off and the seat heaters (Love those puppies) can warm your butt without running the engine. And they do not use that much energy.

 

BBF - Since the block heater is not electrically connected to anything in the car, do you think it is feasible to order the factory block heater and have it installed in my hybrid? Since here in NJ it regularly went below 20 at night this past winter, I would have loved to have one on a timer to heat up the engine before I went to work in the AM. Just wondering if it is a major job. I have no idea where it physically goes on the engine to do "its thing".

 

:beerchug:

Edited April 20, 2010 by rpreuss

[bbf2530]

Hi Tony,

 

I agree with everyone that you were given a very lame answer.

 

But to add my 2 cents, (Assuming that in this forum we are discussing the hybrid) I would definitely suggest that anyone living in an area where the outside temp is regularly under 32 F (or so) and their car is not in a garage, that they order the block heater.

 

It is not that expensive, and having a warm engine when you start out in the morning, you will certainly save on gas. This is because your engine will not have to run to just warm up the water to heat your cabin. In fact, a lot of us have learned that, if it isn't too cold, the heat can be turned off and the seat heaters (Love those puppies) can warm your butt without running the engine. And they do not use that much energy.

 

BBF - Since the block heater is not electrically connected to anything in the car, do you think it is feasible to order the factory block heater and have it installed in my hybrid? Since here in NJ it regularly went below 20 at night this past winter, I would have loved to have one on a timer to heat up the engine before I went to work in the AM. Just wondering if it is a major job. I have no idea where it physically goes on the engine to do "its thing".

 

:beerchug:

 

Hi rpreuss. :D I don't know if we can purchase the "factory" block heater after the fact.

 

I checked the "Parts and Accessories" pages on the Ford Owners website LINK: Ford Parts and Accessories. Currently, Ford does not offer a "Genuine Ford Accessory" block heater for customer purchase.

 

However, there are aftermarket engine block heaters which can be purchased and added. They can be a do-it-yourself type job for individuals with medium automotive skills.

 

Also, I am sure that your local Ford Dealer, local mechanic or local speed-shop has some options available.

 

Let us know how you make out.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

[TonyPSchaefer]

Thanks guys.

I found basically the same location described online but neither my wife nor I could find it. The description was for an older model and I was wondering if thye had moved it. We will certainly look again.

 

As rpreuss said, the reason I am making a deal of this is because I installed an EBH on my Prius for the cold Chicago mornings. Granted, Zacher, they don't compare to Canadian mornings, but it does get down to minus zero Fahrenheit at least a handful of times every winter and is below freezing for months. I have seen my Prius mileage improve with the EBH. It's a tiny bit of a hassle to plug it in every evening and unplug every morning but it's a decision I made based on the desired outcome.

 

For my wife's FFH, She will probably plug it in only a handful of times. She gets the garage; I don't.

[probowler]

Engine block heaters are nice..... at least for us up here in alaska!

[wease]

I'm here in Canada ,just south of Detroit Mi. and i don't have the block heater as we don't need then here.

Never really gets cold enough.

I've never had one on any of my cars and they are parked outside in the country.

[ralteredstates]

Hi Tony,

 

I agree with everyone that you were given a very lame answer.

 

But to add my 2 cents, (Assuming that in this forum we are discussing the hybrid) I would definitely suggest that anyone living in an area where the outside temp is regularly under 32 F (or so) and their car is not in a garage, that they order the block heater.

 

It is not that expensive, and having a warm engine when you start out in the morning, you will certainly save on gas. This is because your engine will not have to run to just warm up the water to heat your cabin. In fact, a lot of us have learned that, if it isn't too cold, the heat can be turned off and the seat heaters (Love those puppies) can warm your butt without running the engine. And they do not use that much energy.

 

BBF - Since the block heater is not electrically connected to anything in the car, do you think it is feasible to order the factory block heater and have it installed in my hybrid? Since here in NJ it regularly went below 20 at night this past winter, I would have loved to have one on a timer to heat up the engine before I went to work in the AM. Just wondering if it is a major job. I have no idea where it physically goes on the engine to do "its thing".

 

:beerchug:

 

I purchased the 2 OEM parts from a Ford dealer on line. They are not aftermarket parts; they are sold as replacement parts for factory installed parts. Your local dealer can order them and install them. Someone on this site (another post) had it done for $300 installed. I refuse to pay local dealer parts prices and saved $100. However, I can't find out how to install them. I even purchased the complete Fusion tech CD off of e-bay (great deal for $24.00) but after 1+ hours of searching, I can only find a close-up pic of engine plug already installed and can't even tell what part of the engine it is!! I assume it is in a freeze plug but can't be sure. No instructions on how to "replace a defective" heater on the CD. I would love someone who has one installed (purchased car with it) to take a couple of pics of where it is installed and how the cable is routed to the front of the car. My mechanic says ford won't give him access on how to work on the car without him paying oodles of dough (which will only give him Fusion info). If all else fails, I will have the stealer install it before next winter. It will make a huge difference on MPG with a warm engine in the winter. I drive 9 miles to work and the EV just kicks in (if at all) the last 1/2 mile of the drive. My MPG dropped to 32 over the winter.

[rpreuss]

I purchased the 2 OEM parts from a Ford dealer on line. They are not aftermarket parts; they are sold as replacement parts for factory installed parts. Your local dealer can order them and install them.

 

That's what I figured on doing. Do you have the Ford part numbers?

[TonyPSchaefer]

I just had the opportunity to look at a similarly-equipped FFH. I've attached a picture: the EBH is clearly right there in front. It's surprisingly obvious. And on my FFH, it's surprising missing.

 

From the driver's side. . .

[DTJJK96]

I just had the opportunity to look at a similarly-equipped FFH. I've attached a picture: the EBH is clearly right there in front. It's surprisingly obvious. And on my FFH, it's surprising missing.

 

From the driver's side. . .

 

I just went out to check our car and ours doesn't have it either.

[TonyPSchaefer]

I just went out to check our car and ours doesn't have it either.

I'm assuming that you're supposed to have it, right?

Why would the window sticker say the car has an EBH but there's not one to be found? Or should that be: why wouldn't they install it if it's supposed to be there?

 

Shouldn't this have been caught during manufacturing quality inspection? Clearly, my dealer didn't know anything about it but shouldn't someone be verifying these things?

[TonyPSchaefer]

MEA CULPA <=That's a big "mea culpa"

 

There were two FFHs on the lot when we bought our car. They both had the 502A rapid spec. The first one has the EBH listed in the "Optional Equipment" section of the window sticker. The second one did not. I accidentally thought that they both had the EBH listed. It was not until just tonight that I pulled out the window sticker and noticed that the car we bought does not have the EBH installed.

 

So I was concerned about nothing and I was wrong.

 

On the up side, anyone who needs to needs to know where the EBH is has a picture up above.