Block Heater Not Working

[bandf]

Hi,
Been a long time since I've been here. I have a 2006 Aveo5 in which the block heater no longer works. Before i get a new block heater, I was wondering if anyone used a recirculating engine heater on their engine in place of a block heater. If so, what brand are you using, does it work well and which water hose did you connect it to, or do i have to use block heater only.

I've tested the plug-in...tested good.....tested block heater....test failed.

Thanks

[Daox]

I've used Katz brand circulating tank heaters. I really like them. I really like that you can get them in higher wattages. My last one I got was 1000W, and I installed it on a Geo Metro. It warmed up that little engine in about 20 minutes which was great. Definitely not one you'd want to keep plugged in overnight though. I put it on a Christmas light remote so I could plug it in when I got home, and turn it on from inside the house ~20 minutes before I left. It worked great.

[bandf]

I was told by a local dealer that there is actuators in these cars that close when shutting down the engine and that circulating heaters would not work. Is that true and is there a way around the actuators.

[xintersecty]

The only valve in the water system is to the heater core inside the HVAC system, otherwise no there is nothing blocking the water except the thermostat and every car has one.

[Daox]

It looks like it does have a heater control valve. That doesn't mean you can't use a circulating tank heater, it just means you have to tie it into the system and not use the heater core coolant loop.

[bandf]

Thanks for the help, going to order a Katz. Will let you know how I make out with it after getting it and installing.

Cheers