Block Heater for 2003 jetta GLI

[sois]

I have a 2003 jetta GLI that I have had for just over 3 months. I was told upon purchasing the vehicle that a block heater would be on the way shortly. Well, it has been over 3 months and it is colder than @#$# here in Alberta right now. Unfortunately, it is the car that will be parked outside and I hurt for the poor thing when I start it in the morning. I have contacted my dealership and they said they are waiting on VW North America to decide on a replacement . I contacted VW customer service and one individual told me they are no longer recommending them (?? ??). That didn't make sense (I paid for one when I bought the car) so I was transferred to another individual that eventually told me that they still haven't figured out what they are going to do... What the hell is happening at VW lately??
Is anyone else having this problem with block heaters on new jetta's??
I mean the car will start but it has to be hard on the engine, no? I was told that synthetic oil is in from the factory but am not positive. Does anyone know if that is correct?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Scotticus_ca]

Hey sois,

I have a 2001 Golf TDI (same car as the jetta, just a different body). I've been having a lot of trouble starting it lately, and have been suspicious of my block heater's status for over a year now. (Yes I have a block heater...it came as standard equipment in 2001.)

I just talked to the (I think) head of service at Norden VW and he told me that VW doesn't even make the block heaters any more. He said that the new cars no longer come with them. Pretty shitty deal for VW owners...especially diesel owners. My car still starts, but it makes a hell of a racket for the first minute.

He told me that there are after market block heaters that can be purchased, but one that he installed caused a fire so he no longer will install them. I also got the impression that the existing block heaters (pan heaters) are fire hazards and that's why VW stopped using them.

He didn't give me any options. I assume that we'll have to wait for VW to come up with a replacement type of block heater....I assume there will be some kind of recall then. (I hope.)

I'm going to keep looking around the net to see what's up, and maybe I'll contact VW to see what they can tell me.

[nanouk61]

I have a 2003 Jetta wagon 2003 TDI, and I passed trought the same process as you did, except I didn't buy the block heater in advance, but the dealer told me that there will be no problem to get one when I sign the contract, but when the winter was there,I couldn't bet any kind of Block heater. So I found that and inline radiator hose block heater could be installed, but if there is problem or if it deteriorate or break something with the engine the warranty won't kick in.

I looked anyway for aftermarket BH and found that a 375 watts 1'' 3/8 BH could be fitted in line with the radiator hose. Some VW dealers mechanics tells me that is goes on the top hose (top side of the engine) Some are telling me that it goes on the bottom engine hose for two reason, the neat will rise up to the engine and the thermostat valve is on the lower hose. So when the temperature of the fluid is high enough it will open the valve and create a thermal flow of the liquid and it will not work on the top hose So I'm not sure where I should have it install. or if it? But this type of block heater has the advantage to give heat to the engine and as well to the coolant liquid, so when you get into the car and go it will take just a fiew minutes before you get confortable in the car. I beleive that my ex Golf 1994 was having a BH into the the engine block, because it was working like a charm, get a temperature in no time.

An other alternative could be a heated dip stick, but since there is plastics around the stick, it could melt the plastics insert.

Another solution would be to put one underneat the oilpan, but not magnetic, something with good stainless steel strap holding the BH. BUt again is there a possibility for fire or not ? If there is plastic protector unerneat, maybe. Otherwise, I don't think there is a problem. I use to live in the high arctic in Canada and that is the model we mainly use.

So I'm still looking to compare what was done on the previous VW to duplicate it on my car today with aftermarket parts.

Thanks for your help an opinion

Regards

Originally Posted by sois

I have a 2003 jetta GLI that I have had for just over 3 months. I was told upon purchasing the vehicle that a block heater would be on the way shortly. Well, it has been over 3 months and it is colder than @#$# here in Alberta right now. Unfortunately, it is the car that will be parked outside and I hurt for the poor thing when I start it in the morning. I have contacted my dealership and they said they are waiting on VW North America to decide on a replacement . I contacted VW customer service and one individual told me they are no longer recommending them (?? ??). That didn't make sense (I paid for one when I bought the car) so I was transferred to another individual that eventually told me that they still haven't figured out what they are going to do... What the hell is happening at VW lately??
Is anyone else having this problem with block heaters on new jetta's??
I mean the car will start but it has to be hard on the engine, no? I was told that synthetic oil is in from the factory but am not positive. Does anyone know if that is correct?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[TDIHeater]

Did you check out www.TDIHeater.com ?

Some VW dealers are installing these!