The plug in for my block heater became separated, and now my car will not start. It is around -30 to -34 here right now, -46 to -52 with the wind chill. I was able to get the old cord for the block heater unplugged, but I spent two hours outside trying to plug the new one back in. The plug in is located behind the engine and I was not able to do it. Does anyone have any hints or tips?

Thanks

Dear Sind,

It is miserable trying to work on a car in the cold. So...let's start with trying to get your car started without the block heater.

Several old farmer tricks in priority:

a) Starter fluid- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starting_fluid
This has a boiling point of -44F, and is used for starting in Fort Greeley, Alaska.
B) Battery-Disconnect the battery, bring it indoors near a room temperature heat source to warm to 70F, reinstall and reconnect.
c) Intake manifold-If you can get a propane torch or old fashioned blow torch to fire and hold a flame, you can use this on the intake manifold ONLY, to warm the manifold so that the air entering the engine is heated. don't burn your wiring or control cables...the manifold can take a lot of heat but the other parts nearby cannot. Don't heat your fuel injectors or fuel gallery.
d) Oil-last resort...drain your motor oil, put it in a large stock pot that is not the Mrs. favorite, heat on the stove to 120 degrees, reinstall in the engine.

Now you can at least drive the car to a warmer spot to work on it, maybe even a heated garage or dealership.

Byron

Byorn,

Well I have a little garage on my property, it is just that my car is out on the street... I might just wait till it warms up to start properly. Which could be this weekend or so. Do not really have too much money to spend. So the only thing i could really do is take the battery inside. I have access to a work truck for the time being. But any clue on how to get the plug to fit properly? After trying for two hours in -35 weather, im about to light the car on fire....

So yah, getting the plug in is the main problem here. I can wait a week or so to start it to pull it into the garage.

Thanks

Dear Sind,

Two more ideas:

e) Electric blanket- Can you fold and place an electric blanket in a large plastic leaf and garden bag, place on top of the engine, lower the hood, and run an electric cord back to a power socket?
f) Portable garage space heater- Do you have one of these (or can borrow) to place near the front of the car aimed below the front bumper?
http://www.deere.com/en_US/parts/homeandwo...aceheaters.html
http://www.bizrate.com/heaters/master-prem...ce+heaters.html

Byron

Yes I do have access to a electric heater. I can try that later today.... That John Deere one looks like it will melt my car. :w00t: Ill pull the one I have out later, and place it under the front bumper for 30 minutes or so. Maybe if i can get the oil warm enough that way for it to start, i can move it.

Thanks for all your help, then when it is warmer i can keep my hands out of gloves for more than 10 minutes to plug the thing im.

odd, knock on wood we never plug our accent in and its was -35c last week + wind chill and I never have a problem starting.
I use 5/30 synthetic oil.

Well I have got my car started and put into a somewhat warm garage to thaw out..... I bought a new battery today as mine did not have the juice to turn it over. I also used some fuel line antifreeze while its cold like this. Its only -18 now, but that is a heck of a lot warmer that -39 or whatever it was. -50 with the windchill. Anyways, thank you for all your help.

i forgot to mention, when you're trying to put the cord on, make sure it is upside down when tryng to put onto back of engine block.
Ie: plug facing down and cord up to top of engine

That is not the way the plug is situated, it is more of like a 60 degree angle with a support bar just above it, and a electronic plug just below it. It is so hard to get my hand in there. I heard, the only way im going to get it plugged in is if I am using a hoist so I can get proper leverage to plug it in. I dont know. The cold weather has subsided for the most part, but came back today... -26... I bought a new battery and that has seemed to help, and I am going to be working on my car in a heated garage this weekend.

thats strange mines just as i said