'97 6.5TD Engine block heater
 

Hello everyone!
Recently signed up as a member on this forum and this will be my first post, might just start out by introducing myself!

My name is Fredrik and i live in the northern part of Sweden. I've had my chevy for about 10 months now and i love it more than anything! (well almost..:w2:)

I'm creating this thread as i need help with my engine block heater. It's fully functional and working but it seems to be shortage somewhere in the system.
I get full heat out of the block heater and it starts in a snap even below -25C, BUT(!!)
When plugging in at work i seem to blow the fuse almost right away on the office building and the plastic around the connection on the building went black and the plastic melted.
That was last year and i haven't come around taking care of that problem and now when winter is upon us i need to fix this.

Where do i start troubleshooting? I have no idea how this thing is wired, as i also have a auxiliary heater element on passenger side on the floor, if that changes anything.
Any help is very appreciated!

Best regards from Sweden

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.die...7492634421.jpg
Welcome Fredrik I believe the cord on the block heater has gone bad or has a naked spot exposing the wiring it should unplug separately from the block heater and I believe can be purchased with or without the block heater here are a couple pictures maybe it will help, And I am not sure what you are talking about with the auxiliary heating element?

Oh alright, seems like that could cause it. Can the block heater shorten itself internal to cause any problems? And how do i get to the block heater? Do i have to unbolt the turbo and other stuff or can you access on some other way? Might try and get a hold of a new block heater & wiring if i don't find anything exposing cord..

The bad thing about owning a US made car in Sweden is that buying parts & stuff to them almost always ends up with expensive shipping & import charges.

By auxiliary heating element i actually meant like a 'interior cab warmer', just couldn't come up with better words until now. :)

It is electrical. so I'm sure it could internally short out, but Hopefully it's as simple as a frayed cord. And over here the block heater is on the left hand side. Good luck on fixing and welcome to D.B.
And if you have a 2WD it's an easier job compared to 4WD.

What size extension cord and length are you using, use a meter to check the block heater wire for shorts, my experience is possibly the cord itself which is replaceable by itself or repairable if not too bad, the heating element itself either heats or it doesn't.

You say it is heating so that rules out bad element.

How far away is your plug, if using a long run of extension cord or a small wire gauge cord, that adds excessive load on the circuit and causes fuse/breaker to pop.

If cord is coiled that can add to load creating a inductive field (think electromagnet), use only as much extension cord as you need shorter is better and 12 GA minimum 10GA is better the heaters draw is significant. 25' multiple cords connected is better than a long single 100' cord if all you need is 50' or 75' of cord.

My wife used to burn up electric hedge clippers and weed trimmers because she was unaware that extension cords are not all the same, she liked the 150', 14 GA cord (worst combination).

As far as replacement parts "across pond" I'd check out RockAuto Parts Catalog I think they ship internationally.

Have you considered a diesel heater like Webasto: Heating, cooling and roof systems from the world market leader or Espar like lubricationspecialist.com sells?

I would like one of these in each of our vehicles. A guy has one in his Jeep that has a remote start to it.

Block heater not really necessary with healthy starting/glow system, maybe shift to a lighter weight oil several members I knew from other forums I used to participate i guys in cold areas of Canada & Alaska not needing the block heater.

Mine doesn't need the block heater to start in any temp, but they sure do sound better than not being plugged in for an hour or so and for the record I only plug it in when it's freezing or below.

just my opinion has to be better for it or G.M. would not have equipped them with it.

I run Amsoil 5W30 heavy duty diesel oil in my 6.5's. I would think that would also help a little with cold starts