Block heater...yea or nea

[Straight6Jeff]

Hello All,



Now that winter is startign to creep in, what is your opinion of a block heater for a gasser. OK, I know I should buy a block heater kit from DC (33 clams), and buy a new diesel while I'm at it, but that woun't happen for a while. So, are the factory units decent?



Thanks for your input, and subsequent (and deserved) abuse for owning a gasser.

 

[Dieselnerd]

The best thing I like about my factory block heater is that the heater puts out heat in a matter of minutes. Easier starting and smoother idle are just good side effects compared to the heat when you really need it. I'm satisfied with the factory heater and I like the fact that my little Honda EU1000i is able to provide enough juice to warm my motor when I'm camped in the woods on a hunting trip. I think the heater is in the 600-800 watt range.

 

[Bob Wagner]

probably get a better price on

www.kimhotstart.com

 

[stg2500]

VeeTen,



I had a block heater put in my '98 gasser. It helped out a lot. I had some warm air coming out of the heater by the time I was a mile away from the house. Without the heater I wouldn't get heat for awhile.



Hope this helps

 

[JR2]

Block heaters are great for gassers for the same reason they are for Diesel trucks. The engine is warmer, the oil flows easier and the lubrication is better.



I would just go to your local Napa and buy one. All you need to know is the heater hose od and then pick one out. At least Napa here in AK has all kinds of them. If you live somewhere real cold like I do Napa also sells these little heater pad that you can stick to your oil pan. They get the oil nice and warm... .

 

[Cooker]

Just an option.

You might want to check out the oil pan heaters here: http://www.engineheaters.com./



Although it won't help much to warm the coolant, it will warm to oil for an easier start w/ less wear.

 

[Lil' Dog]

I have both the pan heater and the block, only use the pan heater when I still have 15W40 in the cold before I switch to 0W-40. The reduced wear on the engine is one of the main features of the block heater, worth the money if it gets to around 0° F in your area.



MHO J-eh

 

[Deezul1]

I have always had block heaters on gassers when living in cool country and loved em. My favorite was one that went in the heater hose with a little pump in it that circulated the coolant as it heated. If you left the heater on the cab was a little warmer than outside and heated quickly, leave the defrost on and ice wouldnt form. Cant remember the brand, it was a while ago.

 

[WDaniels]

block heater

I agree with Cooker about the oil pan heater. Except the oil pan heater is no substitute for a block heater. If it's real cold the engine will still turn over hard with only the oil pan heater. If you have an automatic like the wife's car, put an oil pan heater on the auto xmission pan also. Helps with the shifting when extremely cold. You can get the oil pan heaters in any size from 75 watts that I put on my suzuki 4 wheeler oil res to 450 watts for the big rigs. Just coat the backside with silicone rubber, press on and let cure.

 

[CumminsAholic]

We had an oil pan heater on a 91 cummins. It worked really good. I'm going to get one for my truck sometime... when I get time. Just remember to unplug the heaters before starting the vehicle. The sudden rush of cold fluids can burn out the heating element.

Corey

 

[JohnE]

The best way to approach this is to look at the dynamics of a cold engine.



The friction of a cold engine goes ballistic starting around 40° F. Most of the friction is between the cylinder wall and the piston rings. The best way to warm that area is with a coolant heater. Use a block heater for simple efficiency and start plugging it in when temps dip into the 30's. Most units for gassers have a built in thermostat that will cycle them off in the mid 30's.



The current 5W engine oils used in modern gassers have prety good cold weather characteristics. If you have sustained low temps go with a highly rated synthetic. Notice I wrote highly rated not highly marketed!



A diesel needs all help in the head and combustion chanber area for winter starting. That why the grid heaters warm the incoming air! Warming the coolant does a better job of warming the head.



I use 5W-30 synthetic in the Mommy Van and plug in the block heater. It is a faithful starter and warms quickly.



I'm waiting for the oil pan heater I ordered from Cummins to change over to winter oil. I decided to try AMSOIL 5W-30 this winter.





Deezul 1;

Are you thinking of a <em>tank</em> heater?





-John