How does the intake heat grid work?

[turbojet]

I am coming off Ford back to DC and read a bit about the heat grid to heat the intake air. How does that work and is there still a wait time for starting like the Ford's with glow plugs? Annunciator light?



tj

 

[David Muench]

There's still a wait to start light, and it's just a grid of wires that heats up in the intake. Just like a hair dryer.

 

[SteveH]

Look at where the air intake actually goes into the engine and this is approx where the heater grid is. The grid looks similar to small cooling coils in an air conditioner and it pulls a huge amount of battery when it cycles. (lights dim, etc) All it is doing is preheating the air before the air gets into the cylinder so it both heats faster and starts easier.

Steve H.

 

[turbojet]

thanks



tj