KevinInVT
Senior Member
So I just got my factory block heater installed. I wasn't able to find alot of information on this so I figured I would do a write up.
This was on my 2018, with the 3.6L v6 Pentastar. Benny at All Mopar Parts helped me out with part numbers. This is what he came up with and they worked perfectly for me.
https://parts.allmoparparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-heater-kit-engine-block-heater-4609325ab
https://parts.allmoparparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-cord-engine-block-heater-68189381aa
https://parts.allmoparparts.com/chrysler-complete-mopar-bolt-hex-head-6501957?parent=1001
The tools I needed for this was a breaker bar with a 3/8 drive, a 13mm socket, a 10mm socket, ratchets and short extensions. I put the truck on ramps and did it all from below. I found I could fit my upper body between the radiator and the engine and sit on the ground. That made it easier to reach some bolts and get the heater into it's hole.
First off I used my breaker bar to relieve the tension of the tensioner pulley and removed the serpentine belt from the AC compressor. Easy.
Next up you need to unbolt the AC compressor, for this you need the 13mm socket and ratchet. Two bolts on top and two nuts on the bottom. Remove them completely, don't worry the compressor won't fall down.
Next you will need to unbolt the steering shaft from the steering rack. This is also a 13mm bolt, remove it completely and the shaft will pull up off the stud. It is keyed so it can only go on one way.
Ok everything is free, now the fun part. Behind the compressor is a hole that the heater sits in. At about 4 to 5 o'clock, in relation to that hole, you will see a threaded hole that is for bolting the heater in place. You will have to use feel as it's near impossible to see anything and reach in there. This was easily the hardest part, but I did try for a while without unbolting the steering shaft and there is just not enough room. I finally was able to pull out on the compressor and get the heater to fall into it's home.
Now to get the tiny bolt through the hole in the heater and into it's threaded hole on the block. Again this is totally by feel, I used my 10mm socket on a 1" extension and was able to get it all lined up eventually, and threaded in by hand. Snug it up with your 10mm and a ratchet, it doesn't need to be super tight.
Now the cord. It runs up from below the compressor and plugs into the heater. There is a christmas tree plug that fits just below on the block. After that it's up to you how to route it. I came over and back up by the battery and tucked it under the foam shroud by my driver's headlight.
Now just need to bolt everything back up. Two bolts up top, and two nuts on bottom for the compressor. One bolt for the steering shaft. Put the serpentine belt back on. I did not use a torque wrench but nothing was crazy tight. When re-assembling I just snugged things up to what felt about right compared to disassembly.
I hope this may help someone out. I think it took me about an hour, but it could definitely be done faster. I wasted a good amount of time trying to get the heater in without unbolting the steering shaft. I tried to take some photos but it's pretty cramped in there.
This was on my 2018, with the 3.6L v6 Pentastar. Benny at All Mopar Parts helped me out with part numbers. This is what he came up with and they worked perfectly for me.
https://parts.allmoparparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-heater-kit-engine-block-heater-4609325ab
https://parts.allmoparparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-cord-engine-block-heater-68189381aa
https://parts.allmoparparts.com/chrysler-complete-mopar-bolt-hex-head-6501957?parent=1001
The tools I needed for this was a breaker bar with a 3/8 drive, a 13mm socket, a 10mm socket, ratchets and short extensions. I put the truck on ramps and did it all from below. I found I could fit my upper body between the radiator and the engine and sit on the ground. That made it easier to reach some bolts and get the heater into it's hole.
First off I used my breaker bar to relieve the tension of the tensioner pulley and removed the serpentine belt from the AC compressor. Easy.
Next up you need to unbolt the AC compressor, for this you need the 13mm socket and ratchet. Two bolts on top and two nuts on the bottom. Remove them completely, don't worry the compressor won't fall down.
Next you will need to unbolt the steering shaft from the steering rack. This is also a 13mm bolt, remove it completely and the shaft will pull up off the stud. It is keyed so it can only go on one way.
Ok everything is free, now the fun part. Behind the compressor is a hole that the heater sits in. At about 4 to 5 o'clock, in relation to that hole, you will see a threaded hole that is for bolting the heater in place. You will have to use feel as it's near impossible to see anything and reach in there. This was easily the hardest part, but I did try for a while without unbolting the steering shaft and there is just not enough room. I finally was able to pull out on the compressor and get the heater to fall into it's home.
Now to get the tiny bolt through the hole in the heater and into it's threaded hole on the block. Again this is totally by feel, I used my 10mm socket on a 1" extension and was able to get it all lined up eventually, and threaded in by hand. Snug it up with your 10mm and a ratchet, it doesn't need to be super tight.
Now the cord. It runs up from below the compressor and plugs into the heater. There is a christmas tree plug that fits just below on the block. After that it's up to you how to route it. I came over and back up by the battery and tucked it under the foam shroud by my driver's headlight.
Now just need to bolt everything back up. Two bolts up top, and two nuts on bottom for the compressor. One bolt for the steering shaft. Put the serpentine belt back on. I did not use a torque wrench but nothing was crazy tight. When re-assembling I just snugged things up to what felt about right compared to disassembly.
I hope this may help someone out. I think it took me about an hour, but it could definitely be done faster. I wasted a good amount of time trying to get the heater in without unbolting the steering shaft. I tried to take some photos but it's pretty cramped in there.
