I have a 97 850 turbo, and would like to install a motor block heater. Volvo Houston quoted me one for around $55, which seemed more than reasonable. I only hope it comes with the heating element as well as the plug-in that fits into the little grill in the bumper. My question is this: the parts person said it installs in the frost plug in the engine block. I'm kind of leery of disabling the engine by knocking out the frost plug because (a) I don't know where it is, and (b), once knocked out, would I be in over my head getting the element installed without special (?) tools? Has anybody done this job, and do they have anything to say about any unexpected problems? I've done a lot of work on this car, but knocking holes in the block isn't something I've tried yet.

Additionally, from what I've seen on other Volvos, I wonder if it's possible to install the plug-in on the side of the 850 bumper wrap-around instead of in the little front grill. My concern is that my garage is short, the bumper is only a few inches from the back wall, and if the plug-in were on the side, like I have seen on some V-40's, it would certainly solve a lot of problems. I don't know if that side-mounted V-40 harness and block plug would work on my 850 or not. Any and all advice deeply appreciated. Dick