Block heater on my passat

[whiteywhip]

I was wondering if there is a block heater on my 2013 passat tdi.......bought it in upstate new york and looked thru my owners manual and window sticker and dont see anything.....you would think it would come with it

thanks

 

[mattfrayage]

I was wondering if there is a block heater on my 2013 passat tdi.......bought it in upstate new york and looked thru my owners manual and window sticker and dont see anything.....you would think it would come with it

thanks

sorry to burst your bubble but only Canadian spec passats receive an engine block heater from the factory...
you could install a frostheater however
http://www.frostheater.com

 

[whiteywhip]

boy does that blow

 

[powerstroker363]

I put the winter grill cover on mine from idparts and it works awesome.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[whiteywhip]

asked how much at the dealer installed......500 bucks......whats the real price at a local garage??

 

[tdiatlast]

Frostheater: IIRC, around $130.
Installation? 1.5 to 2 hours (IIRC).

It's not an easy install, but IMHO, well worth it. Also, again IIRC, frostheater is double the wattage of the OEM version. Check the numbers for yourself to be sure.

Real-world experience: Yesterday, 13f, not plugged in, start-up sounded like a diesel (clatter) for 3-4 seconds, coolant near ambient temp. Today, 13f, plugged in, zero clatter/lumpy start-up, instant smooth idle, coolant reading 120f.

 

[whiteywhip]

I have one in my 2011 f-30 ford 6.7 and had one in my 99 vw jetta.....works like a charm.....thanks

 

[pparks1]

I contacted my service advisor at my dealer and he quoted me $700 out the door for the block heater install on my 2013 Passat TDI. It would take me forever and then some time to make up that kinda $$$ on fuel mileage savings with an engine that heated up faster.

 

[tdiatlast]

The objective, for me at least, is to minimize start-up stress, not to improve MPG, although obviously, the quicker the engine is up to temp, the better the MPG.

 

[MichaelB]

I contacted my service advisor at my dealer and he quoted me $700 out the door for the block heater install on my 2013 Passat TDI. It would take me forever and then some time to make up that kinda $$$ on fuel mileage savings with an engine that heated up faster.

Frost-Heater for NMS $139.00 install by Kevin @Wisconsin Diesel Service here in WI $75.00. Don't know about fuel savings as I don't experiment with cold start vs warm start but I sure like the nice warm air from the cabin heater and the ability to start the car at -15°F without even glowing the plugs.

 

[tdiatlast]

I would drive a long distance to have someone install the Frostheater for $75. It's a real pain, from what I understand.

 

[MichaelB]

I would drive a long distance to have someone install the Frostheater for $75. It's a real pain, from what I understand.

So outside of the dealer where are you gonna have your car serviced ? You might develop a good relationship with a VW guru which is what you might want for future upgrades or general repairs. Dealers won't be your friend in future needs. I guess I'm just lucky to have a couple of TDI specialists within a 100 mile radius from home (that both charge about 75 bucks to install a frost-heater).

 

[weebl]

I added a Phillips and Temro coolant heater on my 2003 ALH. It is basically the heart of the Frostheater kit, but the advantage of a Frostheater is all the figuring out has been done for you, and you get all the correct fittings without having to source them yourself.

I loved that unit - a cold start would have the temp gauge measuring just above the cold mark, and cabin heat came very soon after starting. Don't go the OEM block heater route. My gasser Toyota minivan has one, and other than an easier start, it doesn't seem to do much at all.

Fortunately, and unfortunately at the same time, Canadian Passats come with a block heater. So no instant heat on my new car, but it can't justify the cost of adding a Frostheater when it will generally overnight in my garage for 99% of the time.

 

[whiteywhip]

so what does the dealer say if i have a local garage install a frostheater.....would this void my warranty?

 

[TheGrove]

Mine didn't say anything about that or the DieselGeek skid plate. They shouldn't unless they can directly show that the heater caused the problem you are trying to get fixed under warranty. Also, the factory installs a heater on cars headed to Canada and my understanding theirs installs very similar to the Frostheater.

 

[shak911]

I am buying a 2012 Passat,TDI it has the factory plug and the cable, but I am not sure if it is an oil heater or a coolant heater/ if coolant which type, block or circulating..the cable looks like it was never used...and I can't see anything obvious under the hood...I was wondering if anyone here knew for certain which heater it is...it is the Highline model...thank you in advance...

 

[Nebelwerfer]

I am buying a 2012 Passat,TDI it has the factory plug and the cable, but I am not sure if it is an oil heater or a coolant heater/ if coolant which type, block or circulating..the cable looks like it was never used...and I can't see anything obvious under the hood...I was wondering if anyone here knew for certain which heater it is...it is the Highline model...thank you in advance...

It's coolant, non circulating as far as I know. Pretty much the same as a block heater you'd find in any other car up here. They work pretty good.

Regards

 

[shak911]

Thank you.......good news....

 

[Rico567]

I took a long look at the Frostheater, and ended up installing the idparts winter fronts. I'm very satisfied with my decision.

 

[gforce1108]

I placed an order for the tdiheater this week (just in time for things to warm up!). I installed one on a 2012 Golf a couple weeks ago and my hands are finally healed up I love having it on my Jetta but I already know installation is way worse. I will drain the antifreeze instead of trying to clamp off the hoses per the instructions. Not enough room in there to deal with that.

For Shak911 - I'm pretty sure there was a recall on the Canadian heaters, which at first was just to disable them. Double check that you have one that isn't affected by that recall.

 

[shak911]

Thank you Gforce...I verified online with VW Canada that there are no recalls or something else outstanding on that VIN.

I installed a 1500W Zerostart on my 04 BEW few days ago...it took me 5 hours to complete the plumbing..my hands have not healed yet, decompressing the one hose clamp was the most difficult part, no room for tools, I would manage to fully compress but could not move it far enough to free it from the oil cooler..in the end I had to cut and bend it into pieces...cost me $78 canadian.Amazon.ca delivered.( $4.47 US..lol) another $6 for 5 feet of 5/8 hose at Princess Auto, Forming the hoses for 90 and 180 worked surprisingly well...I used bending springs on the inside of the hose..bent and clamped the bend in place..put in boiling water for 15 minutes let cool...and Voila....

I hope the Passat's heater will do the job as well as the Jetta's....we shall see..

I can always meter the heater at the plug to see if it is still connected or has been disabled....

Cheers

 

[gforce1108]

Thank you Gforce...I verified online with VW Canada that there are no recalls or something else outstanding on that VIN.
I installed a 1500W Zerostart on my 04 BEW few days ago...it took me 5 hours to complete the plumbing..my hands have not healed yet, decompressing the one hose clamp was the most difficult part, no room for tools, I would manage to fully compress but could not move it far enough to free it from the oil cooler..in the end I had to cut and bend it into pieces...cost me $78 canadian.Amazon.ca delivered.( $4.47 US..lol) another $6 for 5 feet of 5/8 hose at Princess Auto, Forming the hoses for 90 and 180 worked surprisingly well...I used bending springs on the inside of the hose..bent and clamped the bend in place..put in boiling water for 15 minutes let cool...and Voila....
I hope the Passat's heater will do the job as well as the Jetta's....we shall see..
I can always meter the heater at the plug to see if it is still connected or has been disabled....
Cheers

Assuming your heater is anything like the tdiheater - you'll be happy with it.

 

[Trvln Canuk]

If your block heater was disabled by the dealer you would not be able to plug in the extension cord, as they filled up the plug with silicon.

 

[shak911]

Since the 2012 were not part of the recall...I think not..I was able to flip open the flap...prongs were free of anything other than dust and dirt from lack of use...
also as I just posted on another thread, I will be installing a Zerstart 1500W as a replacement, and will try to reuse the wiring...I like the spring loaded flap better than a plug dangling..subjected to slush and dirt...

Can you tell me where about the heater is installed in your Passat ?

thank you

 

[mplatt911]

I too live in Northern NY and installed the frost heater myself in a few hours. Just need a helper for about 5 minutes to work one hose on. Worth every penny, especially at 25 below zero days . Car starts right up and idles smooth. No issues .
Mike

 

[VeeDubTDI]

1500 watts seems excessive for a 2 liter engine.

 

[shak911]

1500 watts seems excessive for a 2 liter engine.

I understand what ur saying..the price difference is only $3..the power consumption is the same..really..when you consider draw vs time..

the 1500 gives more flexibility..especially for retired people like myself, this way I can turn it on shorter notice...the 1500 only weighs 100 grams more..so the size is not different...

my passat has a factory installed heater...it looks really tiny and does not sit low to the block...I bought a 1500 for it and plan to reuse the factory plug on the bumber.

 

[Don Rentsch]

Had a FrostHeater put in 2016 on my 2013 Passat TDI. not working anymore. Hoping they still sell the HTR19 for an easy swap and replace. I may chicken out and have the garage that put it in do it. It's my daily driver, I need it running