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*WARNING* Block Heater Recall Turns into Engine Replacement!!!!

JL8jeff

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I got it because it was $100 option, not sure what it is now, but for 100 bucks I’d gladly have a block heater on every vehicle just in case.

I wasn’t aware of a block heater recall, but I don’t use mine anyway, as mine is in the garage
You may want to look into the recall, it sounds like the block heater can crack and then leak coolant which could lead to engine problems if you don't know you lost coolant.
 

Sojourner

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Why did you get a block heater in the first place? PA isn't that cold consistently.
I recently read (sorry, can't remember where) that a block heater helps with engine wear b/c your block is already x degrees warmer with the heater than starting from scratch. So one doesn't necessarily need to live in a cold place for this to be helpful (of what I read is correct).
 

Ducati1098

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Do you happen to know what the recommend procedure is from Ford for the dealers?
Workshop manual shows to pull it out the top. But every technician has their own ways of doing things. Some lift the body off, some just pull the engine out the top.
 

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cbrenthus

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You may want to look into the recall, it sounds like the block heater can crack and then leak coolant which could lead to engine problems if you don't know you lost coolant.
it’s not in my recall list in the app, and I saw somebody else with a 22 V6 say they weren’t part of it either. So I’m crossing my fingers. It was just a bad batch somewhere or doesn’t affect the V6.
 

michelle227

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You must live in the concrete jungle that is the Dallas/Arlington/Fort worth. Up here in the frozen confines of Denton, we've already gotten below freezing about 5-7 times. Maybe you mean below freezing the whole day?

Anyhow, I've in the Denton area most of the last 30 years and can't say I've ever wanted a block heater, so you are correct, it just doesn't get cold enough, long enough around here.
All you south Texas peeps crack me up LOL! Come spend some time in South Canada, err I mean Dalhart...
 

Q1svt

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Workshop manual shows to pull it out the top. But every technician has their own ways of doing things. Some lift the body off, some just pull the engine out the top.
… pulling the body off for a 2.3l (OP has that) seems excessive, is that just done for the 2.7l / 3.0l ?

tks
 

Ducati1098

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… pulling the body off for a 2.3l (OP has that) seems excessive, is that just done for the 2.7l / 3.0l ?

tks
Not really. Body is super easy to get off, and gives you a lot more room to work around the engine 🤷‍♂️ like I said every technician does it differently though.
 

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Ducati1098

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Just a quick off topic …
@Ducati1098 is there a write up?
… interesting So a rolled 2dr G6 can get a new G1 body … maybe
There is no write up for removing the body that I know of.
I’m sure putting a first gen body on a 6g frame would require a large amount of custom work
 

Chrome_Pony

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There is no write up for removing the body that I know of.
I’m sure putting a first gen body on a 6g frame would require a large amount of custom work
Is there a procedure for the block heater repair or is the body removal part of that?

Ones I'm familiar with used to go in one of the freeze plug locations, usually the absolute worst one to access, for which removing the gd body might have made the process a lot easier.
 

Ducati1098

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Is there a procedure for the block heater repair or is the body removal part of that?

Ones I'm familiar with used to go in one of the freeze plug locations, usually the absolute worst one to access, for which removing the gd body might have made the process a lot easier.
Pretty easily accessible for both engines through the left wheel well.
2.3 is right above the starter
2.7/3.0 is right behind the A/C compressor.
 

23OBX2.7

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I recently read (sorry, can't remember where) that a block heater helps with engine wear b/c your block is already x degrees warmer with the heater than starting from scratch. So one doesn't necessarily need to live in a cold place for this to be helpful (of what I read is correct).
No need
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