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Thinking of the cold months to come, I've been thinking of a block heater for my Insight 1. Has anyone found a good one which is relatively easy to install. Don't think I want to tinker with freeze plugs, but wouldn't mind putting a heater in a water line.

The Honda block heater kit is likely your best bet. I believe the block heater replaces the engine block coolant drain bolt. Here's another cleanmpg thread on the subject, with some part numbers mentioned:


http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6079

And a Honda publication for install on the '06:

http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/AI/AII30943.pdf

When the dealership put in ours, they more-or-less threw out the instructions, regarding proper routing of the wiring: just coiled it up and zip-tied it to an existing conduit. And did not return me the original drain bolt. It works, anyways ;)

Mendel is correct -- in fact, the kit is the same as the one used on the Accord.

If you're doing it yourself I think the coolant drain bolt has been hard to break loose for some people. I've taken them off on other Honda, it's doable. I think the main thing is to get decent access for a sturdy wrench and socket. What's described as a "breaker bar" is likely best, it's a little longer and often doesn't have ratchet mechanism, just a solid connection.

If you're really fast (and don't mind working in a shower of the stuff) you could maybe avoid draining the coolant, but I wouldn't count on it, best to just bite the bullet and drain it, have sufficient on hand for a regular coolant change. One thing, make sure you can break the engine block drain bolt loose before draining the coolant, just in case that stumps you.

Considering a coolant change is involved, and with the possible hassles with the engine block drain bolt (sometimes access is bad, necessitating more parts removal), I would get a qoute from the dealership. With the price of coolant and that labour factored in, it might be best to let them do it.

Just to rant: considering the increasing number of people opting to install a block heater, not just for dead-of-winter on the prairies use, but for improved fuel economy year round, Honda's decision to not make this a standard item on all their cars makes for a lot of hassle, expense and wasted (long life) coolant.

They are right about the plug you must remove. Rap the wrench rapidly in a linear direction with the plug while applying pressure on the wrench.

Burping the antifreeze when refilling is a real pain. It's easily doable, but allow plenty of time. After the coolant refill, you need to drive the car to bring it up to temp and recheck the coolant level after you are sure it has been circulating. I think the block heater is around $40 from Majestic Honda.

The drill for changing anti-freeze, and this involves a lot of engine idling time, which I think would drive me nuts in my current mileage conscious mindset:

1. Drain rad, drain engine block. Close rad tap, reinstall block drain bolt, preferably with fresh washer, can't help with torque spec. (in your case install the block heater, not the drain bolt, and there should be torque spec. in the instructions).

2. Remove, drain, clean and re-install overflow bottle. Add recommended coolant mix to MIN line (more explanation later).

3. Open coolant vent bolt a few turns (it a smallish bolt with a spigot on the top, at a high point in the coolant circuit). Pour recommended coolant mix into radiator until it starts coming out of the vent. Stop pouring, shut the vent and ensure coolant is right up to the neck of the radiator.

4. Leaving radiator cap off and hood up, start engine and let it idle. With a clean baster and container on hand, keep an eye on it as it warms up. Let the engine warm to the point that the cooling fan has come on twice. During that time coolant will likely expand up the radiator neck, starting to overflow. Baste it out as this happens and transfer to the container. Take care to avoid spilling: this stuff is toxic, pets will lick it up and die.

5. When the cooling fan has run twice shut down the engine. Pour any coolant you've basted into the coolant overflow bottle, and add additional as needed to bring it up to the MAX line. Replace radiator cap.

Note, I would go with Honda coolant, not third party brand. I believe there is now more than one Honda coolant, bottom line: use the same stuff. There is a warning to not mix different brands, and I think stickking with Honda coolant is the safest way to accomplish this.


Caution: Do thoroughly clean up any spills, and the less you spill the better. The coolant is poisonous and sweet, a deadly combo for pets. Also, get in touch with your dealership or similar garage: they will likely take the used coolant for recycling.

This sure sounds like something I don't want to tackle. Guess I'll take the hit to my wallet and get it installed at the dealership when I can manage to afford the cost.

It's actually not that hard, mostly a lot of hanging around at the end, watching the rad neck as the engine warms. The engine block drain bolt is the biggest hassle, and potentially messy coolant spilling. But I concur: if the dealer will do it for reasonable price better them than thee.

Hey Sean!

$40 or $175???? It's worth the trouble to do it yourself.

Understood, Mike... but I haven't got the tools or the space. :(

Driveway or parking spot and Autozone loans tools! I'll check but I think it's just a 1/2" ratchet and no socket for the plug.

One more thought: with the car on level ground I recollect the vent plug and radiator neck seem to be about level, so that when you're pouring in the coolant, as you start to see it welling up in the neck, slow down, just about the same time it should start coming out of the vent.

If you're doing it yourself I think the coolant drain bolt has been hard to break loose for some people. I've taken them off on other Honda, it's doable. I think the main thing is to get decent access for a sturdy wrench and socket. What's described as a "breaker bar" is likely best, it's a little longer and often doesn't have ratchet mechanism, just a solid connection.

If you're really fast (and don't mind working in a shower of the stuff) you could maybe avoid draining the coolant, but I wouldn't count on it, best to just bite the bullet and drain it, have sufficient on hand for a regular coolant change. One thing, make sure you can break the engine block drain bolt loose before draining the coolant, just in case that stumps you.

Yea, I drained the coolant before trying to get the engine coolant block out. I wasn't able to get it loose with my tools. I called the Honda dealership to get a quote for the installation and they were confused as to why someone would have a block heater on a civic. I didn't get a quote because he had never heard of that sort of procedure before.

Aftermarket frost plug heaters are available, if you know what size thread you have. e.g. http://www.amazon.com/Kats-11606-Watt-Frost-Heater/dp/B000I8TPM8/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1253281176&sr=8-13

There's also the coolant circulating heater (http://www.amazon.com/Kats-13100-Alumininum-Circulating-Heater/dp/B000BO8X9K), but that draws too much electricity and wastes it heating the cabin.

Is it a bad idea to use an impact wrench on a freeze plug?

The circulating heater is a waste. The Amazon block heater will not work. The Insight uses a threaded block heater that screws in the hole where the threaded plug is removed from.

Erm... sorry, threaded: http://www.amazon.com/Kats-11409-Watt-Frost-Heater/dp/B000I8XCFO/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1253330215&sr=1-8

Dunno if that's the right thread pitch, though.

According to the Amazon "compatibility" checker, it does not fit the Insight.

FINALLY, had a couple spare hours to install my block heater. It went pretty smoothly, but the block plug was tough. Required a very long breaker bar to break loose.

The routing for the wiring is kinda time consuming if one uses the recommended routing as I did. It is also time consuming to purge the cooling system as directed by the workshop manual.

Only one small hitch. If one uses a grill guard, then the electrical plug cannot be installed in the location on the grill that they recommend. I just snaked it off to the side of the grill opening and reinstalled my grill block over the grill.

Look out Sean, now I start every trip with that baby already warm :bananajump:

Looking forward to it, Jim!! :D You're going to learn to love having the EBH very quickly — I know mine has been getting plenty of use!

I had mine installed two winters ago. I set my timer for about three hours before I leave in the winter and about two in the summer.

I added this piece flush mounted on the edge of the front license plate holder:
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=11478&familyName=Marinco+Onboard+Charger+Inlet

Please post a picture or two -- I'm having trouble visualizing where you managed to fit this.

Here's a few showing the cover on it, the cover off and finally with a short pigtail cord attached. I use the short cable as a safety because it easily disconnects if I forget to unplug. :rolleyes:

Also, I really need to wash my car!


http://travishaughton.com/insight/heater/1.jpg


http://travishaughton.com/insight/heater/2.jpg


http://travishaughton.com/insight/heater/3.jpg

Nice! Thanks for posting these. :)

As for dirty cars, you don't want to know what mine looks like. :eek:

That install looks very neat. The one issue I see though, sooner or later you do forget to unplug. Hopefully your short "leader" of extension cord will do the trick. But I think the best is if your in-car plug is pointed towards the front of vehicle. Then if you forget there are no lateral forces on the connection, just straight pull out tension.

Honda has blocked out some sections of the lower grill opening: not sure if they're deep enough but if they were that's where I'd opt to install one of those.

That assumes a back-out exit. What if he has a pull-through driveway? I do. My battery-charger plug comes out the bottom of the license plate holder, kind of like his pigtail. It *does* pull out cleanly if I drive off without unplugging.

Wouldn't it be handy to have an electronic interlock which would not allow the car to start if the block heater is plugged in?? Something like this would also be useful for EV's and plug-ins.

Actually, I'm worried about exactly such an interlock in the new EVs coming to market as that would foil my plans to hook up a generator for longer than AER trips!

A trick I have found with RV travel, which involves about a hundred check off items each time one breaks camp, is a dry erase board on the steering wheel. I just note the critical items. One could have a small sign and simply stick it to the wheel when the car is plugged in. In fact, think I'll try that for my block heater :-)

That assumes a back-out exit. What if he has a pull-through driveway? I do. My battery-charger plug comes out the bottom of the license plate holder, kind of like his pigtail. It *does* pull out cleanly if I drive off without unplugging.

Agreed, it depends on your circumstance. One trick my wife (principal driver) does is to always walk around the front of the car, to remember to unplug. Also, I wrap the extension cord around a barbecue leg.

I've driven off a few times with it plugged in. I usually don't get more than 20 feet before going "Oh *%@&!" The pigtail plug does the trick. I try to drape the cord over my drivers side mirror, but sometimes even forget that.

The biggest problem was when the cord got involved with my landlord's snowblower. That was bad news. I guess that's what I get for stringing a 100 feet of electrical cord out my second story apartment's door, down a staircase and out into the parking lot. I have to do a little more shoveling around my vehicle now.

Wow -- you plug in at an apartment complex?? I commend your dedication, sir!! :thumbs_up:

I also walk around the front of the car as part of my normal routine in the morning. It is a habit similar to the one I have for always returning the key to my pocket when not in use: Plug in when parking in the garage, walk around the front to unplug when leaving the garage.

I drape the extension cord over the driver’s mirror.


Wayne

I plug in everywhere I can, not just at my apartment. I know all of the spots for my popular destinations that are within 50 feet of an outlet.

I carry an extension cord that the tip lights up on to let me know whether I'm actually plugged into a live outlet.

I'm not as dedicated in the summer. But even if I'm going in for 15 minutes in the winter I'll plug in.

Besides, I figure I'm training myself, and the gawkers, for the EVs that I hope are right around the corner.