lazychris2000
New Member
I got a KATS circulating tank heater at a moving sale for dirt cheap, but it is just the heater--no hoses, no fittings, nothing. I found the install guide online (PDF warning), but I'm one of those guys who needs pictures to really understand what he's doing. I'm reasonably confident in my abilities, but since this is my daily driver, I want to be a little more certain I don't screw anything up.
My KJ is a 2007 Sport with a 3.7L engine. According to these instructions, the engine block coolant drain is just below the exhaust manifold. Assuming I'm looking at the right plug, I found there is one on each side of the block. Is there any reason to use one side over the other or will I need one heater for each side? The passenger's side is practically out in the open, but the driver's side is being blocked by this kajigger (starter?). I'd much rather work on the passenger's side since it's so easy to get to. I was talking to the guys at the auto parts store and they said to bring in the plug and they'll match it with a hose barb that will thread right in, so I'd just need that and a length of 5/8" hose.
Secondly, and this is probably the dumbest question I'm going to ask, which of the heater hoses goes to the engine block/water pump without restriction? It feels too simple to just cut the rubber hose and splice in a T connector. I don't know why, but it always seems that things that are a good idea in my head turn out to be terrible ideas in practice....
Once all that is done, the question is where should I mount this stupid thing? I see 2 possible places, because according to the destructions, the heater must be installed face up and the hose must be below the drain plug at all times. Here's my full album of pics. It's the bottom 4 pictures. I would fab up a mounting bracket, of course, but that's the idea. Is there a better place to mount it or will one of these locations work?
I live in Alaska and during the winter, it can easily hit -20F, with -28F being the coldest my Jeep's experienced so far. I've got a block heater, which is nice and really helps it start in the cold, but I really like the idea of having almost instant heat instead of waiting for 10-15 minutes to get hot. I didn't consider this until just now, but will using a block heater and a circulating tank heater at the same time cause any problems?
Any help you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated!
My KJ is a 2007 Sport with a 3.7L engine. According to these instructions, the engine block coolant drain is just below the exhaust manifold. Assuming I'm looking at the right plug, I found there is one on each side of the block. Is there any reason to use one side over the other or will I need one heater for each side? The passenger's side is practically out in the open, but the driver's side is being blocked by this kajigger (starter?). I'd much rather work on the passenger's side since it's so easy to get to. I was talking to the guys at the auto parts store and they said to bring in the plug and they'll match it with a hose barb that will thread right in, so I'd just need that and a length of 5/8" hose.
Secondly, and this is probably the dumbest question I'm going to ask, which of the heater hoses goes to the engine block/water pump without restriction? It feels too simple to just cut the rubber hose and splice in a T connector. I don't know why, but it always seems that things that are a good idea in my head turn out to be terrible ideas in practice....
Once all that is done, the question is where should I mount this stupid thing? I see 2 possible places, because according to the destructions, the heater must be installed face up and the hose must be below the drain plug at all times. Here's my full album of pics. It's the bottom 4 pictures. I would fab up a mounting bracket, of course, but that's the idea. Is there a better place to mount it or will one of these locations work?
I live in Alaska and during the winter, it can easily hit -20F, with -28F being the coldest my Jeep's experienced so far. I've got a block heater, which is nice and really helps it start in the cold, but I really like the idea of having almost instant heat instead of waiting for 10-15 minutes to get hot. I didn't consider this until just now, but will using a block heater and a circulating tank heater at the same time cause any problems?
Any help you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated!
