To see if this custom-fit item will work for you please tell us what vehicle you'll use it with.
Your vehicle spent the night outside in freezing weather, but you still have places to be. This Zerostart heater warms the coolant before you turn the key, easing cold-start strain and helping your engine warm up sooner.
After your vehicle sits outside on a bitterly cold night, the engine has more work to do when you turn the key. This 400-watt Zerostart heater sits in the engine block and warms the coolant before startup. Starting with a warmer engine reduces cold-start strain and lets it reach operating temperature sooner, which makes those winter mornings a little easier.
This heater fits a specified 40 mm core-plug opening. It replaces the original freeze plug rather than screwing into threaded engine ports or sliding into a dry cartridge cavity. Its O-ring seals against the smooth wall of the opening, while a locking screw secures the heater in place. Use your vehicle's fit information and the Zerostart application catalog (see instruction link B below) to locate the correct plug and determine which direction the heating element should point.
Installation involves draining the coolant, removing the specified core plug, and cleaning the opening so the O-ring can seal properly. Lubricate the O-ring and cleaned surface with antifreeze or another manufacturer-approved lubricant, press the heater firmly into the opening, and tighten the locking screw as directed. Don't use the screw to pull the heater into place. After refilling the cooling system, check for leaks and clear trapped air before powering the element. The manufacturer's installation instructions, linked below, explain the complete procedure.
The included removable silicone cord runs to a standard 120V outlet. Route it toward the front grille or another accessible spot, securing it away from hot surfaces and moving parts. Check the route before fastening everything down, especially if you have to work around other components. If the cord gets damaged, the replacement Zerostart power cord (ZE59SR) uses the specified connector. Also, remember to unplug the heater before starting the engine.
Zerostart is a Phillips & Temro brand. You may recognize Phillips & Temro from original-equipment engine-heating applications even if the Zerostart name is unfamiliar. The company develops heaters for individual engines, which matters when the size of the opening and the position of the heating element need to be right.
Use a 50/50 mixture of ethylene glycol antifreeze and water. Never use straight antifreeze or a mixture containing more than 65% antifreeze, as this can shorten the heating element's life. Avoid stop-leak additives. Lubricate the O-ring and cleaned core-plug opening with antifreeze, liquid soap, or silicone grease. Never use petroleum-based lubricants, which can damage the O-ring and cause leaks. Press the heater into place before tightening the locking screw to 2.26 to 2.82 Nm (1.67 to 2.08 ft-lbs). Overtightening can damage the screw threads or compromise the seal.
Never plug in the heater before installation just to see if it works. Without coolant surrounding the heating element, it can overheat quickly and cause serious burns. With the heater disconnected from power, use a multimeter to check resistance across its electrical pins. The manufacturer's general testing guidance specifies a reading between 5 and 100 ohms.
Make sure the heating element is completely submerged in coolant and any trapped air has been removed before plugging it in. Always unplug the heater before starting your engine. Running the engine while the heater is plugged in can create an air pocket around the element, causing it to overheat and fail prematurely.
When disconnecting the heater from your extension cord, grasp each plug firmly and pull them apart. Never yank on the cords themselves. This can damage the electrical connections and potentially cause a short.
Alternate Instructions
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Hi, everybody. Andy here with etrailer.com. Let's take a quick look at the Zerostart custom-fit frost plug style engine block heater. Now this part is going to fit a wide range of Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicles from the late 1990s through the mid-2020s, including popular models like the Camry, the Corolla, Highlander, Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, RAV4, Prius, and Avalon, as well as the Lexus ES, RX, IS, GX, and RC models equipped with the 1.5-liter to 5.7-liter I4, V6, and V8 gasoline or hybrid engine. So all that to say, it is vital that you take advantage of our vehicle fit guide here at etrailer.com. Just enter the year, make and model of your vehicle, and answer any other questions that it might have for you.
And then our fit guide will confirm if indeed this heater will work for you or if we have something comparable that will work for you. Now cold mornings don't have to slow you down. With this custom-fit block heater, your engine's gonna stay warm and ready to go. You're not gonna have any more sluggish starts or endless idling. This is gonna preheat your coolant so your engine fires up smoothly and it's gonna reach optimal temperature faster and it's gonna be ready to work when you are.
So this is going to give you reliable cold starts even on those freezing mornings. Your engine's going to come to life without hesitation. And by reducing dry starts and strain, it's gonna help prevent wear and tear that winter weather can cause for your vehicle. With 400 watts at 120 volts, this is going to provide steady, consistent warmth to keep your coolant at the right temperature. And then you're also going to get this durable, removable cord.
This is a 5.8-foot long silicone cord. It's gonna be able to handle tough conditions. It's gonna be able to be easily detached from the heater for storage or replacement. And I do like this touch here on the other end here, it does have this tethered cap here to protect those prongs when it's not in use. So those prongs will always be safe and clean, ready to use.
Now when temperatures drop, engines can struggle. Thick oil and cold metal is gonna make starting hard, but this heater's gonna get ahead of that problem. By pre-warming your coolant, it's gonna help your engine turn over easily, run smoother, and avoid that unnecessary wear all before you hit that ignition. Now this does have a bore diameter of 40 millimeters THD, and the installation's gonna vary by vehicle. And I think that's gonna wrap up our quick look today. If you have any other further questions, don't hesitate to reach back out to us. We want to make sure that you're getting exactly what you want and need. Well, again, my name's Andy. Thank you for joining me.
Customer Satisfaction Score:
78% were satisfied with this product
22% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
Info for this part was:
At etrailer we provide the best information available about the products we sell. We take the quality of our information seriously so that you can get the right part the first time. Let us know if anything is missing or if you have any questions.
Thank you! Your comment has been submitted successfully. You should be able to view your question/comment here within a few days.
Error submitting comment. Please try again momentarily.