Baja

My block heater died, and I noticed that there is a lot of melted plastic around the electrical connection at the heater element. I bought a new heater and cord, and can install it, but I want to know what would cause the melting in the first place. If a new installation will cure the problem, OK, but is there something else I should be checking? I don't want to melt the new cord like the last one. Thanks in advance.

kd460

Sounds like your element shorted out. Replacing the cord and the element will solve your problems.