Accessory Engine Block Heater Information - keywords CHD20040019 coolant element K05

This PI was superseded to update model years. Please discard PIP3160.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

A factory installed block heater is available on the models above if the vehicle is ordered with RPO K05. Vehicles with RPO K05 are equipped with a threaded block heater that is screwed into a threaded hole above the oil filter.

Notice: All vehicles sold in Canada are equipped with an engine block heater (RPO K05) as standard equipment.

Vehicles without RPO K05 have a freeze plug pressed into a machined hole that does not contain threads. The only block heater available through GMSPO is a threaded replacement block heater that is only for vehicles with RPO K05. However, some customers/dealers may try to install this block heater in a vehicle that does not have RPO K05. When trying to install it, they will find that there is not a threaded hole above the oil filter to screw it into. As a result, they will not be able to install the GMSPO block heater and may wonder if a different style GM accessories block heater is available for the vehicle.

A different style GM accessories block heater is not available for these vehicles, and GM does not recommend modifying anything to try installing one.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.