How to Find a Car Block Heater
Many engines are built with an engine block heater installed. Even if they are not, the block heater takes the place of a freeze plug in the engine. Freeze plugs are designed to allow antifreeze to drain out of the engine block, rather than freeze and crack the block. An engine block heater keeps the antifreeze from freezing in extremely low temperatures and makes it easier for you to start your car during the winter.
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Instructions
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Locate the engine block in your engine compartment. The top of the block is under the hood where the cylinders are that contain the internal compression reaction.
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Lift the front end of the car with a car jack and support it by the frame with jack stands. Lie down on a dolly and slide under the front of the car. Examine the bottom of the engine block.
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Find the freeze plug in the coolant tract of the engine block. The coolant runs from the radiator through special chambers enclosed in the block, which wraps around the cylinder chambers, and then back out to the radiator to release the engine heat.
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Move down the freeze plug to the extension, above the coolant drain. The extension is the car block heater. It might also have a cord coming out of it, which makes it easier to identify. Although most makes and models of diesel cars come with a block heater installed, only those with a cold weather package include the cord.
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Tips & Warnings
The freeze plug with the block heater might be in one of several places around the bottom of the engine block. Different makes and models place them in different places. Some makes and models might have more than one freeze plug.
