Freel2,

A friend reached out to me via PM and asked about an engine heater for the 3.2 (Volvo 6 cylinder)

Unfortunately I don't have any experience with this because it rarely gets bellow freezing where I live.

The heaters that my friend is looking at are
- Defa 411702
- Volvo 31373831

Here are a list of questions that would be a good place to start

1. If you currently have a plug in style heater then how well does it work?

2. If you installed a heater like this what did you learn?

3. What do you recommend the Volvo part or DEFA or ????

Here is the DEFA link https://www.defa.com/electrical-preheating...ne-heater/

And here is what needs to be installed


the heater


location to mount the heater

Click image to enlarge

It’s a little late I know...
In Ottawa, you need one. I use the dealer provided option. I plug the vehicles at least 1 hour before I need to go somewhere and within 1/2 city block the engine is a proper running temperature.(when it’s -10C)

I also have altered my startup procedure.
1. Without foot on brake, depress start button
2. Wait for chimes to subside
3. Now depress brake and press start button.

Starts immediately no matter what the temperature outside (yes even -40) Guy Pensa
Cars with Personalities
Getting itchy. What's next?
2014 Land Rover HSE Lux (blend of practicality and aggressiveness)
2007 XKR (Jaguar Racing Green) (woo hoo!)
2004 XJR (Jaguar Racing Green) (deceased)
2002 S-Type R (British Racing Green, of course)
1951 Riley RMD (Black, time for that restoration)

Thanks for starting this topic Paul. I realize this problem is unique to just a few FL2/LR2 owners that have to face sustained cold conditions, but I was hoping someone would have already looked at this problem.

To be clear, the Land Rover branded coolant heater (LR008792) works great - I previously had it on my vehicle, just like you
itsaguything. However, mine recently failed due to a slow coolant leak from hoses LR005566 and LR005563 (so where it is installed).

I saw the Calix logo on the coolant heater, and I also know Defa provides a coolant heater. I'm fairly sure the Volvo heater is compatible as Defa has the same part number for the Volvo 3.2 engines and the FL2 3.2 i6 engine (which is of course the Volvo engine). The cooling system diagrams look identical. Basically many people know this (especially you Paul!) but the i6 is shared with the Volvo S80, XC60, XC70 and XC90 and the T6 (3.0 turbo) engine is basically the same engine with a turbo.

I'll likely be getting the Volvo part installed soon as it's easier to order here and much cheaper than the LR branded part. However, I'm aware that this means yet another connection in the cooling system that could leak or fail in a couple years. I'm ok with that for the benefit of a simple install and the reduced engine wear (I live in central Canada where we sometimes get -50 with the windchill), but if anyone has used other solutions, I'll be happy to hear about it!

I will of course update once the part has been installed as well.

Cheers,

Simon

Hi folks,

Good news, as expected Volvo part 31373831 worked as a replacement for my LR-branded coolant heater. The wiring is a bit different from the Land Rover part (LR008792) but the heater itself and the way it connects to the coolant hose are identical.

The difference is that the "Volvo wire" is designed to be installed through the bumper on Volvo vehicles, whereas the LR unit uses a smaller wire that feeds through the plastic mesh of the lower front grille. I didn't want to drill through the grille or bumper to feed the "Volvo wire" so I kept it in the engine bay. That way the front end of the vehicle looks better, there's less road spray getting on the electrical connector and no danger of damaging the cord by dragging it on something when off-road.

I had it installed at my local LR shop - I have a good relationship with them having done some work for them before.

FYI, the Volvo part is manufactured by Calix - I believe it is the Calix RE485. You may be able to get the Calix or Defa versions at a better cost in the UK/Europe/Scandinavia but for me, the Volvo part made sense as it was free shipping and straightforward.

Here are some photos of the wiring (orange wire):

Post deleted

Wrong thread


Sorry about that

Paul