Electrical heater

[nicke66]

Hello,
My Trans Sport is sold as new in Cananda. It has what I been told a "winter pagage", an electrical (110 V) engine heater. Does anyone know if the heater used to be mounted to the engine block, or just connected to a hose for the engine coolant?

[GTP Dad]

If it is a factory installed heater it is mounted in the engine block. They remove one of the freeze plugs and install it in the opening. They are great for keeping block warm in the winter and will not give you any problems whatsoever. I had one in a Grand Am and it was great. Also had one in a Ford years ago. At 25 degrees below zero F. the vehicles started like it was 40 degrees F.

[LMP]

Are you searching where it is? 3.8 or 3.1 ? I have it on my 3.8 but....never looked where it was exactly; just plugged it in winter and that's all!

[ciras3]

I checked the box for this when I ordered my 95 Trans Sport. It was only an additional $18 and well worth it. It is like stated before: it's put in place of one of the freeze plugs. You should be able to see where the electic connection is sticking out of the freeze plug spot.

[nicke66]

Thanks for the answers!

I did guess it was mounted in the block, but I was not able to get my head deep enough under the van without lifting it up, to actually see it. The cable goes to some place at the back of the engine. (and yes, its the 3.8).

I am very familiar with this kind of heater. In Sweden where I live this kind of heater is mounted on more or less every car. The reason I did ask was that my heater is made for 110 V, but in Sweden we are using 230 V. As I see it, I have 3 alternatives:

1 Use the heater with the transformer that I did get with the car when I bought it. The problem is that the transformer is large and heavy, and nothing my wife are able to use. The transformer are made for up to 2000 W and weighs at least 10 kg.

2 Get a smaller transformer that I can built into the van.

3 Replace the heater with one made for 230 V.

I think I stay to alternative 1, even if the heater then will be used less.

Best regards

Nicke