Engine Heaters..... What do you think?
12-22-2010, 04:25 PM
#1
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Engine Heaters..... What do you think?
When the temp regularly drops well below freezing, how many of you use an engine heater and/or battery heater? (oil pan heating pad, block heater, etc...). If so, what are your suggestions on selecting one?
12-22-2010, 07:54 PM
#2
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If you're dipping just around freezing (32F or 0C) a block heater is more than enough.
Dip to 14 to -4 F (-10 to -20 C) and a battery blanket will help. At that point, your battery can lose up to 50% of its cranking power.
Below -4 F (-20 C) and the oil pan heater is nice to have, but I wouldn't worry unless you actually get below -22 F (-30 C). Using a good synthetic oil will help, too.
Dip to 14 to -4 F (-10 to -20 C) and a battery blanket will help. At that point, your battery can lose up to 50% of its cranking power.
Below -4 F (-20 C) and the oil pan heater is nice to have, but I wouldn't worry unless you actually get below -22 F (-30 C). Using a good synthetic oil will help, too.
12-22-2010, 08:00 PM
#3
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I use a magnetic oil pan heater. It works great and the engine cranks over a lot easier when its stupid cold outside. It was only around 50 bucks at Carquest.
12-22-2010, 09:28 PM
#6
I have used these on and off for at least 40 years.
Of all the block type heaters there seems to be for the most 2 kinds the kind you plug in with engine warm and it holds the temp.
The other kind you plug in very cold engine 1/2 hour 45 minutes depending on engine size you are ready to crank it over.
*** Very important with coolant type heaters unplug before cranking you hit a air pocket the heating element is cooked.
get a better product There are the kind you install by removing a freeze out plug. Others area Tank type that go in the radiator hose.
I have used the magnet oil pan heaters a pain to crawl under unless you mount it . it is exposed to all the road slop..
I have used the dip stick heaters I don`t know if they are still around or not. Again pulling it out and installing the dipstick
No Matter they do save a lot of wear on the starting system
Of all the block type heaters there seems to be for the most 2 kinds the kind you plug in with engine warm and it holds the temp.
The other kind you plug in very cold engine 1/2 hour 45 minutes depending on engine size you are ready to crank it over.
*** Very important with coolant type heaters unplug before cranking you hit a air pocket the heating element is cooked.
get a better product There are the kind you install by removing a freeze out plug. Others area Tank type that go in the radiator hose.
I have used the magnet oil pan heaters a pain to crawl under unless you mount it . it is exposed to all the road slop..
I have used the dip stick heaters I don`t know if they are still around or not. Again pulling it out and installing the dipstick
No Matter they do save a lot of wear on the starting system
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