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For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 2001 🢒 Savana 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Cooling 🢒 Coolant Heater Replacement

Coolant Heater Replacement 4.3L

Removal Procedure
  1. Drain the engine coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  2. Remove the engine cover. Refer to Engine Cover Replacement in Interior Trim.

    3. Object Number: 312949 Size: SH
  3. Remove the heater cord from the engine coolant heater (4).
  4. Loosen the bolt retaining the engine coolant heater to the block.
  5. Remove the engine coolant heater from the engine block.
  6. If the vehicle is not originally equipped with an engine coolant heater, remove the coolant jacket plug.
  7. Carefully tap the core plug near the outer edge. Rotate the core plug out of the core plug hole.

    8. Do not score the machined surface of the hole.

  8. Grasp the plug with pliers.
  9. Pull the plug from the engine block.
  10. Clean the core plug hole in order to remove the following substances:
    11. • Burrs
    • Compound
    • Paint
    • Rough spots

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 312935 Size: SH
  1. Coat the O-ring seal (2) and the cleaned surface of the plug opening with water resistant high-temperature grease lubricant GM P/N 1052196 or the equivalent.

    2. Important: Avoid element contact with the inside walls of the engine block.

  2. Tightly push the coolant heater into the engine block.

    3. Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.


    Object Number: 312945 Size: SH
  3. Tighten the bolt on the engine coolant heater until both of the locking wings draw tightly against the inner wall of the engine block.

    4. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt in order to retain the engine coolant heater to the engine block to 2 N·m (18 lb in).

    Important: Do not allow the heater cord to touch the following areas:

       • The engine
       • Hot pipes
       • The manifold
       • Any moving parts


    Object Number: 312949 Size: SH
  4. Install the heater cord to the coolant heater (4).
  5. Route the heater cord.
  6. Install the engine cover. Refer to Engine Cover Replacement in Interior Trim.
  7. Fill the radiator and the engine with engine coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  8. Inspect the system for leaks.

Coolant Heater Replacement 5.0L and 5.7L

Removal Procedure
  1. Drain the engine coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  2. Remove the engine cover. Refer to Engine Cover Replacement in Interior Trim.

    3. Object Number: 312953 Size: SH
  3. Remove the heater cord from the engine coolant heater (2).
  4. Loosen the bolt retaining the engine coolant heater to the block.
  5. Remove the engine coolant heater from the engine block.
  6. If the vehicle is not originally equipped with an engine coolant heater, remove the coolant jacket plug.
  7. Carefully tap the core plug near the outer edge.
  8. Rotate the core plug out of the core plug hole.

    9. Do not score the machined surface of the hole.

  9. Grasp the plug with pliers.
  10. Pull the plug from the engine block.
  11. Clean the core plug hole in order to remove the following substances:
    12. • Burrs
    • Compound
    • Paint
    • Rough spots

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 312935 Size: SH
  1. Coat the O-ring seal (2) and the cleaned surface of the plug opening with water resistant high-temperature grease lubricant GM P/N 9985164 or the equivalent.

    2. Important: Avoid element contact with the inside walls of the engine block.

  2. Install the coolant heater by pushing tightly into the engine block.

    3. Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.


    Object Number: 312945 Size: SH
  3. Tighten the bolt on the engine coolant heater until both of the locking wings draw tightly against the inner wall of the engine block.

    4. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt in order to retain the engine coolant heater to the engine block to 2 N·m (18 lb in).

    Important: Do not allow the heater cord to touch the following areas:

       • The engine
       • Hot pipes
       • The manifold
       • Any moving parts.


    Object Number: 312953 Size: SH
  4. Install the heater cord to the coolant heater (2).
  5. Route the heater cord.
  6. Install the engine cover. Refer to Engine Cover Replacement in Interior Trim.
  7. Fill the radiator and the engine with engine coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  8. Inspect the system for leaks.

Coolant Heater Replacement 6.5L

Removal Procedure
  1. Drain the engine coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  2. Remove the engine cover. Refer to Engine Cover Replacement in Interior Trim.

    3. Object Number: 312975 Size: SH
  3. Remove the heater cord from the engine coolant heater (4).
  4. Loosen the bolt retaining the engine coolant heater to the block.
  5. Remove the engine coolant heater from the engine block.
  6. If the vehicle is not originally equipped with an engine coolant heater, remove the coolant jacket plug.
  7. Carefully tap the core plug near the outer edge, rotating the core plug out of the core plug hole.

    8. Do not score the machined surface of the hole.

  8. Grasp the plug with pliers.
  9. Pull the plug from the engine block.
  10. Clean the core plug hole in order to remove the following substances:
    11. • Burrs
    • Compound
    • Paint
    • Rough spots

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 312935 Size: SH
  1. Coat the O-ring seal (2) and the cleaned surface of the plug opening with water resistant high-temperature grease lubricant GM P/N 1052196 or the equivalent.

    2. Important: Avoid element contact with the inside walls of the engine block.

  2. Install the coolant heater by pushing tightly into the engine block.

    3. Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.


    Object Number: 312945 Size: SH
  3. Tighten the bolt on the engine coolant heater until both of the locking wings draw tightly against the inner wall of the engine block.

    4. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to retain the engine coolant heater to the engine block to 2 N·m (18 lb in).

    Important: Do not allow the heater cord to touch the following areas:

       • The engine
       • Hot pipes
       • The manifold
       • Any moving parts


    Object Number: 312975 Size: SH
  4. Install the heater cord to the coolant heater (4).
  5. Route the heater cord.
  6. Install the engine cover. Refer to Engine Cover Replacement in Interior Trim.
  7. Fill the radiator and the engine with engine coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  8. Inspect the system for leaks.

Coolant Heater Replacement 8.1L

Removal Procedure

    Object Number: 583234 Size: SH
  1. Drain the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  2. Disconnect the engine block heater cord (1) from the block heater.

    3. Object Number: 742060 Size: SH
  3. Remove the engine block heater from the engine block.

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 742060 Size: SH
  1. Apply thread sealant GM P/N 12346004 or equivalent to the threads of the engine block heater.

    2. Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  2. Install the engine block heater to the engine block.

    3. Tighten
    Tighten the engine block heater to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).


    Object Number: 583234 Size: SH
  3. Connect the engine block heater cord (1) from the block heater.
  4. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .