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Home›Repair guides›Cylinder Block Heater Element and Power Cord Inspection and Relocation

Detroit Diesel — Cylinder Block Heater Element and Power Cord Inspection and Relocation

A Detroit Diesel service procedure — check it applies to your exact model before use.

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Before you start

  • When installing the MBE 4000 cylinder block heater, care needs to be taken to prevent the electrical cord from coming in contact with any hot surfaces or sharp objects that could cause a short or open wire. Failure of the electrical cord will cause the heater to become inoperable.
  • End users of the vehicle must follow all applicable local and national electrical codes when supplying power to the vehicle for the block heater element. The block heater consumes 1500 watts and should be connected only to a GFCI protected 120 volt AC outlet. Care should be taken to ensure the power supply is not over-fused.

Procedure

  1. On all EPA98 and EPA04 MBE 4000 engines, disconnect the vehicle power cord from the block heater element and inspect BOTH the block heater element male contact pins and vehicle power cord female contact pins for signs of damage, poor electrical contact, corrosion, etc. Replace the block heater element and vehicle power cord if they show any signs of damage.
  2. Inspect the vehicle power cord receptacle on the outside of the vehicle for signs of damage, poor electrical contact, corrosion, etc. Replace the vehicle power cord if it shows any signs of damage and use the correct new cord sourced from the vehicle manufacturer.
  3. On EPA98 engines, install the existing block heater element (if undamaged) or new block heater element on the RIGHT side of the engine if the suitable mounting pad is present on the cylinder block.
  4. Drain cooling system.
  5. Remove the cover plate from the right side of the block and discard the gasket. Save the cover plate for relocation to the left side of the block.
  6. Install the block heater element with a new gasket on the RIGHT side of the block. The coiled wire of the block heater element will point to the front of the engine when inserted into the block, with the electrical connection pointing to the ground. Torque the three M8 x 20 mounting bolts to 30-38 N·m (22-28 lb·ft).
  7. Insert the power cord connector firmly into the block heater element socket, taking care to align the pins with the sockets. Tighten the strain relief nut securely by hand.
  8. Route electrical cable over the top of the turbo oil drain tube.
  9. Route block heater electrical cable around the back of the cylinder head.
  10. Verify that electrical cord is fastened to the left rear of the cylinder head.
  11. Route cable between the frame and cab, mounting the wire to the cab reinforcement rib.
  12. Install the cover plate on the LEFT side of the block where the block heater element used to be. Use a new gasket. Torque the three M8 x 20 mounting bolts to 30-38 N·m (22-28 lb·ft).
  13. Fill cooling system to proper level.
  14. Start engine and verify there are no coolant leaks.
  15. On EPA98 engines, inspect the main fuel return line located just above the former block heater element location on the left side of the block. Replace the line if any damage is noted.

Tools required

  • torque wrench

Specs & torque values

  • Block Heater Element with Gasket (part A0002003296)
  • Gasket - Block Heater Element or Cover Plate (part A4602010080)
  • Main Fuel Return Line EPA98 (part A4570901776)
  • M8 x 20 mounting bolts torque: 30-38 N·m (22-28 lb·ft)
  • Power supply: 1500 watts, GFCI protected 120 volt AC outlet

Source: manual:08TS9 - EPA98 and EPA04 MBE 4000 Cylinder Block Heater Element and Cord Inspection.pdf. Figures and steps are as documented; always cross-check against the official manual and any later revisions for your exact serial number before servicing.