With Cleveland winters being notoriously cold and snowy and with winter fast approaching on top of that, I want to ask about the possibility of installing a block heater on my 2.2 2002 Cavalier. I dont know a lot about them for starters. I really just want to find a way to cut down on warm up times in the morning. I typically don't get outside early enough to get the car started and I don't like the idea of idling while I wait (gas?).

Is it at all possible to install a block heater on a 2.2? Is it hard? Not worth the trouble?

Where could I find some information about one that would likely work well with my 2.2?

If anyone has any information about this, I'd love to hear from you. If I can get this project rolling in the next week. I'll do a tutorial as I go along for anyone else that's interested in adding this mod.


Woooo bubbies.

Adding a block hearter is pretty simple, Its as easy is going to the local auto parts store and getting Block heater kit, Just cut one of the upper and lower rad hoses, If they are old hoses just better of replacing them with new ones. use the clamps and block heater supplied, (Now its a good time to change the thermostat and coolant flush, while you are there). Then allow the system to burp get out the trapped air bubbles. (With the revisor cap off).

then youre set.

Cool. I'll look into and get a how to going along with it for anyone else interested in this. Thanks for the information man.


Woooo bubbies.

The type of heater mentioned above isn't a "block heater", it would be a coolant heater that's external to the block. The block heater would normally be installed into the frost plug located on the far right side of the engine (looking at the front). This will be more efficient as it's directly inside the block. Here in Canada, these were factory installed on all of the J-bodies sold here that year.
I've used mine many times once it gets more than about 10 degrees below freezing - mainly because I live only 13 houses from the highway on-ramp, and like to at least have things warming up a little before having to accelerate up to highway speeds. I also find it helps my 5 speed shift a little easier (as some heat transfers into the tranny as well).
Typically, I use a timer to turn it on about 3 hours before I plan on leaving.
John