TD27T block & oil pan heaters

[Tribune]

So, its about to get bloody freezing here in Canada, and while my Terrano is still waiting to catch the train from the docks to my place, I'm thinking about installing a block heater or oil-pan heater to keep it plugged in to the mains current and warm while its parked over night. Pretty much all vehicles have them here as standard, but I doubt you guys in NZ have them!

Anyway, before I get to look at it, just thought I'd ask . . .

Do you know if there's any frost plugs on the TD27's engine block? If so, where are they? Any idea on size - 30mm, 35mm? Easy to get to with the engine still in the truck?

Alternatively, any threaded ports on the oil pan? Again, size, thread pattern? Not as good a place for a heater, but better than nothing.

Probably add a coolant heater, a heater on the tranny too, and may even go to a battery blanket. Hit -42C here last winter one night so I want my Terry to run!

[Tribune]

OK, to resuscitate an old thread of mine, its finally time to add a block heater to the Terrano. Knocked out one of the 35mm freeze plugs - guess you guys call them welch plugs - from the cylinder block (not the small ones on the head) to add a block heater similar to this . . .



Heater element clamps into the welch/freeze plug port. Plug it in to mains electric current overnight to help with warmer starts when the Canadian winter plummets to below -35C !!!

A couple of questions though for anyone who's removed or replaced the welch plugs on a TD27t block. The plugs on the cylinder block really do access the water jacket don't they? I ask 'cos it was pretty black and oily looking inside (I'd drained the coolant already). Is that black carbon deposit inside the water jacket normal? The engine's been running fine, not eating oil, not blowing smoke, running pretty cool. Coolant came out clean. I don't think there's a problem, but wanted to check.

Guess Nissan calls the welch/freeze plugs I'm talking about "plug - taper" - part no. 10 as per the parts diagram on nissan4u.com, all lined up along the side of the block.

[Crash bandicoot]

SHould be able to use the one on the front right if the injector pump isnt in the way.

[kbushnz]

A couple of questions though for anyone who's removed or replaced the welch plugs on a TD27t block. The plugs on the cylinder block really do access the water jacket don't they? I ask 'cos it was pretty black and oily looking inside (I'd drained the coolant already). Is that black carbon deposit inside the water jacket normal?

I would suspect you have removed a plug which seals off an oil gallery as opposed to the coolant system.
I would expect to see a slight brownish powder coating in a water gallery and the remnants of water / glycol mix and not oily and black.
If oil and water mix it turns into a sludge.....

[Paulballz]

i am hoping kbushnz is correct, but got a strange feeling they only block the water ways...with the plug out give the engine a quick turn over (park vechile outside or somewhere suitable) you will so0n see what runs through there

[Tribune]

OK, after a bit more research, yes, those 35mm plugs access only the water jacket - exactly what's required for the block heater (coolant is heated, not oil). I've convinced my self that the black build-up is from the glycol. It's sticky in a glycol way, not in an oily way.

The next question is, where's the best plug to use! As I've got the turbo out I can access all the plugs along the left side of the block. Removed the front left two, only to find the oil gallery behind is too close to permit the heating element of the block heater plug. Installed new welch plugs and scratched my head. Trying this install with the motor in the truck is proving a PITA.

So . . . anyone hear who's rebuilt a TD27 block know/remember which of the 35mm welch plugs has the most space behind it!? Don't want to use ones too close to the exhaust manifold for fear of melting the plastic of the cable.

Can post dimensions of the heater plug if that helps.

[Paulballz]

just checked my engine which is out, most accessable is one just in front of turbo (about level with the turbo intake) may need to take alternator off..the only other accessable one is on the right side of the block towards the very rear, (close to bellhousing) it is tucked under manifold but accessable. (possibly behind started but shouldnt be)

[Tribune]

Pulled the two front left ones as they were the accessible ones, but just no room inside them to actually fit the heating element. Anyway, looking at different options before the snow flies here - possibly a recirculating pump running warmed coolant through the engine and/or stick-on heating elements on the oil pan and transmission. Links below . . .

Zerostart Circulation Engine Heater

Titan adhesive oil-pan heaters