Re: [Biofuel] Block heater for an 82 Mercedes
I used to be a mechanic but cars were simple back then! robert luis rabello wrote: Mike Weaver wrote: Ouch. You must've done it. Swapping freeze plugs is a standard procedure on every engine I've ever rebuilt! robert luis rabello The Edge of Justice Adventure for Your Mind http://www.newadventure.ca Ranger Supercharger Project Page http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
[Biofuel] Block heater for an 82 Mercedes
There is no garage for my diesel car. I want to run it on BD100 year round here in Pine Plains, NY, USA where winters get cold.Part of the solutionis installing a block heater. Where would a block heater be installed in an 82 Mercedes 300DS ? I've been told that there should be a "freeze-out" plug in the block and that this is where it can be installed. I know that the easiest place to have the heater installed is ata service station or a Mercedes dealer, but I'd like to do this myself. Three months ago I didn't know a bushing from a pipe nipple, a clearwaterpump from an aquarium pump. With the help of list members and the solid information at JtF, I've built a processor and am making 75 L batches of quality BD. Half goes in the car, half in the heating oil tank. I'm getting a lesson today on furnaces: nozzles, general maintenance, etc. Would like to burn bioheating oil instead of BD. The point here is that one step in the right direction provides a place from which the next step is possible and a different view which may well makeanotherstep in the same direction enticing. I have been focused on BD, but have found that there certainly is a lot more here than biodiesel info. I thank all for their help especially those who are so patient with us slow learners. Tom ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Block heater for an 82 Mercedes
They are not hard to install but getting the freeze plug(s) out is not that much fun. I used to use an old electric blanket on a timer for my '85 MB. Wasn't pretty but it was free! Thomas Kelly wrote: There is no garage for my diesel car. I want to run it on BD100 year round here in Pine Plains, NY, USA where winters get cold. Part of the solution is installing a block heater. Where would a block heater be installed in an 82 Mercedes 300DS ? I've been told that there should be a freeze-out plug in the block and that this is where it can be installed. I know that the easiest place to have the heater installed is at a service station or a Mercedes dealer, but I'd like to do this myself. Three months ago I didn't know a bushing from a pipe nipple, a clearwater pump from an aquarium pump. With the help of list members and the solid information at JtF, I've built a processor and am making 75 L batches of quality BD. Half goes in the car, half in the heating oil tank. I'm getting a lesson today on furnaces: nozzles, general maintenance, etc. Would like to burn bioheating oil instead of BD. The point here is that one step in the right direction provides a place from which the next step is possible and a different view which may well make another step in the same direction enticing. I have been focused on BD, but have found that there certainly is a lot more here than biodiesel info. I thank all for their help especially those who are so patient with us slow learners. Tom ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Block heater for an 82 Mercedes
Mike Weaver wrote: They are not hard to install but getting the freeze plug(s) out is not that much fun. It's easier when the engine is out because there's more room. You might have to loosen the engine mounts and lift the engine with a floor jack from the pan (using a block of wood beneath it to ensure it doesn't crush). Next, drain the cooling system. Use a screwdriver and a mallet to drive ONE inside edge of the freeze plug into the block, so that the other edge comes out. Once you can get a vice grip on it, pull UP and out. Dab a bit of vaseline on the block heater to make it go in easier. Carefully drive it in, using a short length of pipe that fits loosely into the new plug. When it's in, score one edge of the plug and block with a screwdriver, then seal the plug with a SMALL bead of silicone. Let it dry and cure according to the instructions. Wire it up. Fill your cooling system and check for leaks. Once you're confident it DOESN'T leak, warm up the engine and check again. robert luis rabello The Edge of Justice Adventure for Your Mind http://www.newadventure.ca Ranger Supercharger Project Page http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Block heater for an 82 Mercedes
Ouch. You must've done it. I used a shaped piece of hardwood to get the plug out and several pieces of 2X4. One other engines I wound up cutting it with a cold pack chisel. This is a last resort, and don't be too free with leading edge of the chisel. On a 25 year-old car thing can get pretty frozen. Good luck. robert luis rabello wrote: Mike Weaver wrote: They are not hard to install but getting the freeze plug(s) out is not that much fun. It's easier when the engine is out because there's more room. You might have to loosen the engine mounts and lift the engine with a floor jack from the pan (using a block of wood beneath it to ensure it doesn't crush). Next, drain the cooling system. Use a screwdriver and a mallet to drive ONE inside edge of the freeze plug into the block, so that the other edge comes out. Once you can get a vice grip on it, pull UP and out. Dab a bit of vaseline on the block heater to make it go in easier. Carefully drive it in, using a short length of pipe that fits loosely into the new plug. When it's in, score one edge of the plug and block with a screwdriver, then seal the plug with a SMALL bead of silicone. Let it dry and cure according to the instructions. Wire it up. Fill your cooling system and check for leaks. Once you're confident it DOESN'T leak, warm up the engine and check again. robert luis rabello The Edge of Justice Adventure for Your Mind http://www.newadventure.ca Ranger Supercharger Project Page http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Block heater for an 82 Mercedes
Mike Weaver wrote: Ouch. You must've done it. Swapping freeze plugs is a standard procedure on every engine I've ever rebuilt! robert luis rabello The Edge of Justice Adventure for Your Mind http://www.newadventure.ca Ranger Supercharger Project Page http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/ ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
