Patent ID: 7353810

Claim:
A block heater for warming an automobile engine in combination with a separate heating element for an automobile fuel tank, wherein said combination comprises: said heating element comprising an upper end and including threads mateable to threads of said fuel tank, and a probe depending from said upper end, said probe transmitting generated heat in accordance with a thermostat provided therein, said heat transmitted to fuel in said fuel tank; said block heater electrically coupled to said heating element via an insulated cord, said cord sufficient in length to accommodate placement of said block heater at said engine and said heating element at said fuel tank; and, an electrical plug electrically and operatively coupled with said block heater and said heating element, said plug transmitting electricity from an outlet to said block heater and said heating element so as to generate said heat; wherein said threads of said heating element are provided along an external circumferential surface of said upper end; wherein said internal threads of said fuel tank are provided in an elongated fuel spout upwardly depending from said fuel tank, said spout threadably accommodating said heating element in a manner similar to said fuel cap for said spout; wherein said probe transmits heat down said spout and into said fuel tank and fuel.