Are you supposed to be able to hear the block heater when it is plugged in? The block heaters in both Grand Marquis' have an audible "sizzle/hiss", but when I plugged the Cougar in I couldn't hear anything.
Just in case, what does it take to replace a block heater?
I believe the block heater resides in one of the freeze plugs that's pressed into the side of the engine block. I'm guessing changing it would involve unbolting and lifting the engine up at the very least.
most of the freeze plugs on my dads crown vic you can get to. Only one or two you have to jack up the engine. You could prolly just get away with unbolting a engine mount or two.
88 V8 here.
Mine is in the right side of the block, near the rear.
Easy as pie after I took out the starter motor.
No unbolting mounts or lifting anything.
Most block heaters are in places that you can get too.
Only time i have seen them put in a hole that is hard to get it is when someone that has no clue puts one in a motor wile its out and drops it in a car. Not till later they find out that its in a bad spot.
My block heater does make a hiss that I can hear from outside the car. MasterBlaster is right, just unbolt the starter motor and you'll have easy access to it. Just be sure to have a drain pan handy underneath because even if you drain the radiator you're likely to have some residual coolant in the lower block. Enjoy.