120v Plug under radiator???

[boodie]

While looking at the many points under my hood that need oiling, I noticed a strange plug cable-tied out of the way...

It's a 120v male electrical plug, with a dust cover, just sitting there...

My Owners Manual doesn't list anything requiring 120v external power...

I'm guessing that this is a block heater, but my question is: Is this a factory option? Dealer installed? Or just another JC Whitney gotta-have???

(Whatever it is, I want it outta there!)

[ChuckH]

120V? Uh, I think you mean 12V.

Anyway, I believe the plug is for the auxhillary fan that those of us with older Xterras have and apparently isn't included with the newer Xterras. Nissan removed the fan but left the wiring harness for it. Why would you want to remove it?

[boodie]

Originally posted by ChuckH
120V? Uh, I think you mean 12V.

Does Nissan put duplex receptacle type plugs in their trucks for 12v power???

This is a standard two-flat-prong and one-round-ground power plug, male, attached to a lead that goes under the radiator somewhere...

...Just like on a toaster, that you would put buttered pop-tarts in to warm up for breakfast, or a snack...

[ChuckH]

I'll try and see what my fan plug looks like when I'm outside today, but if it looks like a regular house type plug than maybe it is for a block heater or such?

[boodie]

Originally posted by ChuckH
I'll try and see what my fan plug looks like when I'm outside today, but if it looks like a regular house type plug than maybe it is for a block heater or such?

I don't know...There's a big iceberg in my driveway or I'd get underneath and look...

But I can't imagine nissan opening themselves up to Product Liability by putting a duplex plug on their car/truck...This is made to plug into an extension cord...

...Or a toaster...

Brown sugar cinnamon pop-tarts...yum...

[Schludwiller]

Battery or engine block heater?

[boodie]

Originally posted by Schludwiller
Battery or engine block heater?

OK; I took off the three 10mm bolts that hold the front dust cover on <sigh>, and after sneering at the 6oz oil filter, I traced the lead back to the engine block, just below the drivers-side exhaust manifold, almost at the bellhousing. Some kind of block heater is my guess...I can't tell if it is a threaded hole in the block, or a freeze-plug hole. Anyone know?

I also drilled out two of the snapped-off 10mm bolts that the dealer had thoughtfully left in, and replaced them. The last one turned when I started drilling it, then stopped. It's on the frame cross-piece under the pan; I think there is a large bolt going in from the top that it hit, otherwise it might have fell into the crossmember. I'll try to get that one later. (My drill bit went dull).

[ChuckH]

Must be a coolant/block heater...probably installed in certain regions of Canada due to the cold temperatures. I certainly wouldn't remove it; it's not hurting anything and may come in handy someday to you or a future owner.

Welcome to the world of crossthreaded bolts. Seems to be a common thing with the Xterra...I've had at least 5 of them so far and I know Schludwiller has had some too.

[boodie]

Originally posted by ChuckH
Welcome to the world of crossthreaded bolts. Seems to be a common thing with the Xterra...

I've read a couple posts about these 6 bolts being snapped off...But I expected any Nissan mechanic who changed the oil to repair any damage he did...*I* used to, when I had to wrench for a living...

The heater (if that's what it is) is a plug-in lead to the piece in the block; I'll just pull the lead off for now, and grease up the block plug real good so it don't corrode...

...I don't need no stinking heater...

[Xcanuk]

Its for the block heater... standard equipement on Canadian X's since 2000. One of the odd things we get over the U.S. models. You can even verify it on the Nissan Canada Site.

[Antitree_hugger]

Originally posted by Xcanuk
Its for the block heater... standard equipement on Canadian X's since 2000. One of the odd things we get over the U.S. models. You can even verify it on the Nissan Canada Site.

I find it funny that the Canada X gets a block heater but NO front tow hooks as standard.

[Xcanuk]

At least we get the hooks now...
We also got other odd things on 2000, still standard I think.
The low washer fluid light (think U.S. has it now)
Heavy duty electrical (I know our battery was bigger, I think stronger alternator too)
But no XE, SE, sunroof, fogs, rims.. color and tranny were our only options (in 2000)

[Schludwiller]

Hey don't forget those flexible Canadian mudflaps!!

(which by the way, the front ones are not available at Xterraparts.com anymore, and there is a note saying they don't expect Nissan to deliver more).

[Schludwiller]

Originally posted by Antitree_hugger


I find it funny that the Canada X gets a block heater but NO front tow hooks as standard.

I find it funny that Nissan still hasn't figured out a way to get a rear tow-hook on the Xterra.

[Xcanuk]

Originally posted by Schludwiller
Hey don't forget those flexible Canadian mudflaps!!

From what I noticed on the road, I don't think we get them either. Only the rear ones are flexible, fronts are molded.
Easier to make your own anyway, the ones I made up for the rear are twice as flexible as my original canuck version.