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Engine Block Heater Kit

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DavGr

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Manual Ref a engine block heater - pretty sure my 2018 doesn't have it, I looked and didn't see a cord where it's supposed to be. Has anyone bought the GM Kit?

My 2018 used to be garaged all the time but now sits out more, only had trouble starting it once after sitting a few days in 0deg weather. That was battery related.
 
#2 ·
DavGr said:
Manual Ref a engine block heater - pretty sure my 2018 doesn't have it, I looked and didn't see a cord where it's supposed to be. Has anyone bought the GM Kit?
Click to expand...
The gen2 cars only offer an oil pan heater. There is no block heater and using an aftermarket one will cause problems with the ECU. The ECU expects coolant temperature to be low after the car is shut down for many hours (I think about 10) and if you use a block heater the ECU will assume one or more temperature sensors are defective. You'll get an illuminated CEL and radiator fans running on 100% in an attempt to cool everything down.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
The manual references a dealer installed engine heater kit, that’s what I was asking about - anyone had one installed? (By dealer ? Or DIY ?)

None of the Cruze Diesels I’ve seen have one but there’s not many around here. I’m going to be in MT in about 7 weeks, need to either get the GM engine heater kit or figure out another option - I’ll be about an hour from the Canadian border. My 7.3L F250 will be fine, it has a block heater on it but the Cruze has nothing - it’s gonna sit outside at an apartment we’re renting while I’m working in the field. Only going to get driven maybe 1x per week
 
#5 ·
DavGr said:
The manual references a dealer installed engine heater kit, that’s what I was asking about - anyone had one installed? (By dealer ? Or DIY ?)
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That is for the gasoline engines and a thermostat in the cord only turns the heater on when the temperature is at or below 0ºF.

You can change the wiring to bypass that so the heater runs when you plug it in, but it causes the same problems (CEL and fans on high) if you use it when the engine doesn't expect it.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
I need to look at the manual and read it again, the wording IIRC was specific to the 1.6L Diesel engine.
I’d think that any Cruze TD sold into Canada would come equipped with a heater as would the Euro version. For instance Ford med duty pickups back in the 2000-2010 timeframe all got a block heater (engine came with it pre-installed by Navistar) but only trucks purchased with the cold weather package got the power cord. I’m headed into near the Canadian border in Feb - if I can’t solve this before I’ll have to leave the Cruze behind. Minus temps are the norm up there, I was in KS two years ago and the Cruze wouldn’t start at -3 deg, had to get a jump and the tow driver that helped me had a heater w/ a flex duct we aimed at the grille - used a blanket (similar to what is done with aircraft piston engines) to hold in the heat. 30min of preheat and it fired right up.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Here's what I found in the manual - it's an option for the Diesel Engine, but what I can't find is the part # for it on GM's parts site. There's a Diesel version & a 1.4L Gasser version - I can only find the part #'s associated w/ the 1.4L Gasser oil pan heater. I definitely don't have the factory installed version - no power cord stowed on the Driver's side by the fuse box. I've got a couple of weeks to figure this out before I head North. Issue is the car is going to sit for a week or so between uses so I already have a battery maintainer wired up to the battery in the trunk but after a week sitting in cold I'd prefer to have a way to warm the engine too.
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#8 ·
I think this is what you are looking for, but I am not sure if it comes with a cord or how that works. It's an oil pan heater as opposed to a block (coolant) heater. More Information for GM GENUINE 55597519
 
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#9 ·
DavGr said:
Here's what I found in the manual - it's an option for the Diesel Engine, but what I can't find is the part # for it on GM's parts site.
Click to expand...
There is not a Diesel engine block heater. You aren't parsing the words in the instruction manual well.

1. Gasoline engines offer a block heater, and there is an electrical cord for that.
2. Diesel engines offer an oil pan heater, and there is an electrical cord for that.

There is no GM OEM Diesel engine block heater.

Go ahead and install something aftermarket, but be prepared for the problems that come with it (the CEL coming on and your radiator fans running on high when you start the vehicle) because the ECU thinks one or more of your temperature sensors is malfunctioning.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
BodhiBenz1987 said:
I think this is what you are looking for, but I am not sure if it comes with a cord or how that works. It's an oil pan heater as opposed to a block (coolant) heater. More Information for GM GENUINE 55597519
Click to expand...
That’s the part #, what I’ve found out is the cord is listed as “no longer available” so I’m asking our local dealer to get me at least the heater and the mounting hardware. The cord has a thermostat in it, going to have to figure out something on that pc.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Barry Allen said:
That sounds like other problems. These Diesel engines start just fine in very cold weather, down to -40, as long as you have properly treated fuel and the glow plugs are functioning properly.
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It was - car as I’ve stated sat in -3 deg weather for about 4 days. Needed a boost to get started. Only reason the tow driver did the heater was he was convinced it had gelled fuel - it wasn’t gelled but since he had it available I said why not - kept us warm more than the car. :)
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Barry Allen said:
There is not a Diesel engine block heater. You aren't parsing the words in the instruction manual well.

1. Gasoline engines offer a block heater, and there is an electrical cord for that.
2. Diesel engines offer an oil pan heater, and there is an electrical cord for that.

There is no GM OEM Diesel engine block heater.

Go ahead and install something aftermarket, but be prepared for the problems that come with it (the CEL coming on and your radiator fans running on high when you start the vehicle) because the ECU thinks one or more of your temperature sensors is malfunctioning.
Click to expand...
Already knew that - I am well aware of the difference. Been driving diesel vehicles for 30 years and know that when you let one sit for days in sub zero temps starting is going to be challenging. This Cruze is going to sit while I’m out in the field working - likely for a week. Got a battery maintainer already hooked up ready to go but to add an element of insurance I want the pan heater. I will be in an area with minimal assistance, I simply use the Cruze to drive to the airport 3hrs away when I get my 5 day off period. So, car sits for 20 days in likely sub zero temps - yeah, not a recipe for an easy start
 
#15 ·
Another alternative is to buy a jumper pack and when you are done with your 20 days of work and/or 5 days off, you have that fully charged when you return to your car. Use that to give it a jump start if necessary. As long as the battery in your vehicle is reasonably new (proactively replace it before winter if you are going into that season with a battery that is marginal on age) the engine will start just fine.
 
#16 ·
DavGr said:
That’s the part #, what I’ve found out is the cord is listed as “no longer available” so I’m asking our local dealer to get me at least the heater and the mounting hardware. The cord has a thermostat in it, going to have to figure out something on that pc.
Click to expand...
You might try and see if a dealer in Canada has the cord.

What is the part number for the cord?

I think it is a wise thing to do and obviously GM does also. After all they make the car.

There is a cord out there somewhere with your name on it.
 
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#20 ·
GM 55597519 Heater Assembly, Engine Oil

This is listed for a 2017-2019 Cruze with these options: BT(LH7,KPK)

55597519 - GM Parts Giant

www.gmpartsgiant.com www.gmpartsgiant.com
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GM 12586687 Heater,Engine Coolant (LE2)

This is listed for a 2017-2019 Cruze with these options: BR,BS,BT(LE2,K05)
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