Air heater with one-piece housing

A heating device for use in an internal combustion engine having an intake defining a passage, the intake including an opening in communication with the passage, the heating device comprising:

• a first heating element;
• first and second holders supporting the first heating element;
• and
• a one-piece die cast housing having a tubular portion circumferentially encompassing the first holder, the second holder and the heating element, the holders being biasedly engaged with an inner wall of the tubular portion, the die cast housing including a plate portion integrally formed with the tubular portion, the plate portion including a substantially planar surface adapted to engage the intake and cover the opening, the tubular portion and the first heating element being adapted to fit within the opening and be positioned within a heat transfer relationship with air within the passage, the inner wall defining a first recess in receipt of the first holder, a second in receipt of the second holder and a third recess in receipt of an end of the first heating element, wherein the third recess is at least partially defined by a surface offset from end of the first and second recesses.