2006 XC90 V8 Has anyone installed a block heater

VFLXC90 · Post by **VFLXC90** » 16 Nov 2014, 08:10

With my cold start issue. Engine noise. I'm planning an installation of a block heater. If the engine is warm the noise isn't there. So my temporary remedy is to do above. Volvo sells a heater for around $165.00. It appears to be a plug that has a heating element in it. The wire connects to the plug and it heats the coolant.
There are several manufactures of block heaters. Cat's and Zero Start are the two I've seen so far. Cat's is a universal design that splices into the heater hose. Seems to be straight forward. I'm Not sure were Cat's is manufactured? Zero Start also has a universal design. Install same as Cat's. Zero Start ,Canadian company. Zero Start also has what appears to be the same as the Volvo factory design . Zero start is around $75.00 for the heater and wire. It's Possible Zero Start supplies there part to Volvo? If you EBay: engine block heaters 3100002. (heater) 3600001 (wire to the heater). it will bring up Zero Start. You can open up the description and enter in the 06 XC 90 V8 and see the info Zero Start has for there application. From what I can tell there is a plug on the driver side rear head that there heater installs in? Doesn't seem to be a freeze plug that needs to be removed. Just a simple unscrewing of a plug, install the heater, connect the wire and good to go?
Based on the info above. Has anyone installed the factory heater, Zero Start heater or a universal heater.
Any info would be appreciated.
VFL

Post by **cn90** » 16 Nov 2014, 11:21

I used to live in Quebec, Canada in the 1980s, which is way colder than Chicago.
I had a 1991 Volvo 240 with block heater, but remember the block heater output is about ? 300 Watts (to check this) is barely enough to raise the coolant temp a bit, not much.
Let's say outside is -30C, all the block heater does is heat the coolant up a bit, maybe -15C or so and not better. I measured it and took the readings years ago.

- Also, block heater ONLY warms the coolant up a bit and has virtually no effect on the oil, which sits in the sump.

Your best approach:

1. Use synthetic oil 5W30.

2. If necessary, buy a "battery blanket" and wrap around the battery, this will increase the CCA.

The bottom line is: I found block heater close to worthless.

VFLXC90 · Post by **VFLXC90** » 16 Nov 2014, 11:50

Thanks cn
I'm using 0/40 Mobil1 synthetic 6 qts. and 1 qt of lucas additive. So I don't think its the oil.
There are heating blankets that attach to the oil pan. There are magnetic and the pan is alloy so the blanket probably wont work.
My Diesel Excursion has a block heater and it makes a big difference when it is plugged in. I appreciate any feed back.
Thanks again.

VFLXC90 · Post by **VFLXC90** » 16 Nov 2014, 11:51

Test Video

Post by **jimmy57** » 16 Nov 2014, 15:28

3000 watts is huge. 30 gallon water heater element size. 240 block heaters are likely 300-450W.

The Kats circulating type would work well. 600-800 watts and timered to run 2-4 hours before drive off.
Use a heater hose to splice it in. That engine is reverse coolant with tstat in the lower hose so fitting it there won't get you engine warmth you are after. I think oil cooler hose mount might get you oil warmth and coolant warmth.

Post by **cn90** » 16 Nov 2014, 16:33

jimmy57,

Sorry typo. I typed 3000 watts, but I meant 300 watts.

VFLXC90 · Post by **VFLXC90** » 16 Nov 2014, 18:39

Thanks jimmy,
I looked at the engine compartment and were to fit the heater. The lower radiator hose would be ideal. I saw your sentence indicating the lower hose area won't work. I noticed the heater hoses on the driver side . They are above the transmission area. Which one would be the best to spice into?

I'm unclear on this sentence you had in your post: (I think oil cooler hose mount might get you oil warmth and coolant warmth). Where is this hose?
( I figured out how to do the you tube video. I will attach when the weather gets colder and the noise is more obvious).
Thanks
VFL

Post by **jimmy57** » 16 Nov 2014, 20:07

The oil cooler is down on the front of the sump, it's round and has to heater hoses on it.

"when the weather gets colder" ............tomorrow? LOL

Actually since heating engine is the concern the electric water pump circuit is a bad choice. Hose from firewall connections that leads back to engine is better.

Post by **Woobie86** » 18 Nov 2014, 05:02

Hi. Unrelated topic but sub theme going on. How do ya'll turn on your heater? Mine alternates between hot air and cool air. I want it to just be hot air. what settings do you leave it on? Im sitting in freezing weather for 20 minutes and its still on cold air. Its turned all the way up to the red setting. Ive tried both a/c on and off, auto vs the head

Does a block heater help with this? I don't want any alternating hot or cold air. Just hot air. Its freezing outside. Please tell me what settings this should be on.

Post by **erikv11** » 04 Feb 2015, 09:27

A block heater is far, far from useless, it doesn't heat the coolant it dumps heat into the whole engine block, which almost instantly heats circulating oil at startup, this thread includes actual info from one of the Volvo units in use on an older car (V70/850):
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=67151