Block heater installed?

I own a 2020 TRD Sport and have been living in temperate climates since purchasing, so I’ve yet to need a block heater… I moved to a much colder climate (northern Canada) and was told by my dealership that my truck doesn’t have a block heater and I’d have to purchase one. There is a cord that runs from the external block heater plug to the back of my engine where the block heater sits, but I cannot get an angle to see if the cord goes to a block heater or if it’s just capped or something. Why would the cord be run to the back if there is no block heater?

 

Seems unusual that the plug would be there and not the heater, but who knows.
Any reason you can't you plug it in and put an amp meter on it?

 

I don’t have the plug which is a plug unique to Toyotas I believe… and I don’t own an amp meter unfortunately

 

this is where and what Toyota oem block heater plug in looks like.

 

I thought block heaters went extinct after the 1980’s. I probably just ignorant since I have parked my cars in garages for the last 20 years.

I’m guessing it gets colder where you are, but my experience in Minnesota is that my taco shrugs off -20Fish like a champ.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-block-heater.398333/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...engine-block-heater-for-a-2017-tacoma.697417/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-2018-toyota-block-heater-recall.539971/

 

No way ! The best solution to this issue is to move south . . . way south. I once had to go to Winnipeg in January and they were all raving that I brought warm weather with me . . . . . it was in the 30s F and I was freezing and they were walking around with their coats unzipped. No human should live where a block heater is required.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-block-heater-recall.665044/

 

The engine sounds so much better at start up and the transmission shifts so much smoother when things are warm. A couple hours with the block heater, battery heater and oil pan heater running makes it start like it’s summer and you have heat in the cab a lot sooner.

 

Speaks truth

 

The ol’ Fairbanks special

 

Maybe try to have a better look with a flashlight to determine or go to another dealer for a second opinion. Or go to an independent shop and let them have a quick look. A reputable shop will be able to tell quickly. Also if no block heater they can pull a frost plug in the block and install a block heater. You would then have a proper electrical cord connection which is better than the silly Toyota plug thing anyway.

 

The 3rd gen block heater does not use a "freeze plug", there is a dry cavity in the block where the heater bolts in. This V6 block may not have "freeze plugs".

 

i suspect your truck was part of the recall. my truck is a canadian-to-america transplant. it came with the block heater, but i was told by the dealer, my 2 options are to either ignore the recall notice and not use it, or have them physically cut the cord.

there's plenty of canadian dealers that will sell the specialty cord end, i have one now. but i also don't want to burn my truck down.

 

I’m aware. I had a block heater in 1987. It was a live saver. I haven’t needed once since though. Albeit I live in minnesota and it doesn’t get cold here.

 

You get pretty much instant heat if you select “defrost” button on the dash. It uses elements to heat up the air.