Oil pan heater location

[Lhotka]

What is the preferable location for mounting an oil pan heater? Side or back? What wattage do you suggest? I was considering mounting two smaller size heaters, one on each side of the oil pan. Any suggestions on routing the wires?



Lastly, who knows of a good shop in Anchorage of Fairbanks who does Espar installs?





Thanks for the help.

 

[BRobertson]

oil pan heater

I put mine on the right side. I don't recall the wattage, I'll get the rating and model # later today and get back to you. It really makes a BIG difference, especially in Squarebanks!!!

 

[Midnite]

I'd have to run out and check, but I think mine's on the bottom of the sump.



Mike

 

[Cooker]

Look at all the Alaskan brothers posting here



I'm sure glad is doesn't get that cold here



http://www.engineheaters.com/

These looked pretty good to me as I had thought about adding one. It looks like they recommend 250 watts.



-Ryan

 

[Midnite]

Originally posted by Lhotka

Lastly, who knows of a good shop in Anchorage of Fairbanks who does Espar installs?

Sorry, I missed that part of your post when I replied earlier.



The dealer in Anchorage that Espar lists on their website is Trailercraft. I think maybe Bob's Services may also sell and install them.



Mike

 

[Midnite]

Originally posted by Cooker

Look at all the Alaskan brothers posting here



I'm sure glad is doesn't get that cold here

I'm sure Lhotka knows about cold up there in Fairbanks--as I recall thirty to forty below isn't uncommon at all. Anchorage doesn't see anything like that though. The coldest I ever saw it last winter according to the thermometer by my front door was +4F. Normally we'll get down to -10 or -15 for a few days. There's a whole world of difference between -10 and -30 though...



Mike

 

[Lhotka]

Fairbanks is definitely a great cold weather testing location. Many of the foreign automobile producers test their products here. Fairbanks generally offers a couple of weeks of -50F, a spike or two of -60F, and the infrastructure and logistics needed to test vehicles.



The Cummins sounds a bit louder at those temps!

 

[JohnE]

Us Minnesota and North Dakota residents get some nippy -30° F. days, too. We're spoiled and usually have a plugin close enough for the block heater to be effective.

Some do use oil warmers and the two big brands are <a href=http://www.kimhotstart.com/ target=_blank>Kim Hotstart</a> and <a href=http://www.buddcompany.com/locations_philips. asp target=_blank>Phillips &amp; Temro</a>.



I'm getting an ESPAR heater this fall. I'm thinking on adding a plumbing loop through the pan to warm the oil so it will flow before a nervous 10 seconds countdown.



-John

 

[JR2]

I used rtv and glued one of the heater pads that NAPA sells to the side of my oil pan. I think it makes a big difference in the cold, as the engine just sounds better. I usually plug the truck in for a coulple hours before I start it or if I know it is going to be real cold I will plug it in all night.



As far as the ESPAR, I know tralier Craft is a dealer and installer here in Anchorage. When I talked to them last year they wanted something like $2000 for the unit itself and a bunch more to install it. I decided that I would rather spend the $$ on bombs.

I think if Bob's services does it I would have them do it.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Zerostart's (Phillips Temro) 150 watt Threaded Immersion heater P# 860-2859 will thread into the oil pan drain plug (22mm). I used this before I went to syntetic oil. It got the oil luke warm. Didn't have any trouble with boiling. The element is only about 3. 5"long, so it stays immersed in the oil. Much more effective than a surface type heater. (IMO) Truck was so quiet when it started. Great heater!



More Info: http://www.zerostart.com/

 

[BRobertson]

Sorry I forgot to get the info earlier,

Moroso # 23996 5" x 7" 400 watt purchased at Summit Racing

It is better quality than the ones we use to use from the general stores when I was a kid in Fairbanks. I believe they were Katt (???) brand

I used Red RTV (high temp) to seal the edges after I removed the paint on the pan. You won't believe how tough the factory paint is on the Cummins oil pan!!! Too bad the truck isn't painted as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!