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Message started by rl153 on 01/16/11 at 14:01:17

Title: Cold engine
Post by rl153 on 01/16/11 at 14:01:17

This isn't a motorcycle question, but I thought I'd ask . I should just get a block heater from my mechanic ,but I was wondering if a household heating pad would help keep my car engine warm on a cold night, just laying on the top of the engine ,or is this a bad idea? Thanks

Title: Re: Cold engine
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/16/11 at 14:10:28

A heating pad, laying on the engine wont accomplish hoot. Too low a wattage & poor contact means almost zero heat, besides, ya want to warm the oil pan & water jacket areas, not just the top end. IF you need a block heater at all. I can see it with a diesel.

Title: Re: Cold engine
Post by rl153 on 01/16/11 at 14:16:18

Thanks ,I'll forget that.

Title: Re: Cold engine
Post by Boule’tard on 01/16/11 at 15:23:01

Yeah, a warming pad probably wouldn't have enough juice to warm up a car engine block much.

I used to set a timer to come on a couple hours before I had to take off on a cold morning. The timer was hooked up to a metal droplight. I put a 150 watt bulb in the droplight and put it on the ground pointing upward, and parked the bike over it.

Dumb but effective. :D

Title: Re: Cold engine
Post by verslagen1 on 01/16/11 at 16:50:47

If it's in a garage, slip a area heater under the front end.

Title: Re: Cold engine
Post by rl153 on 01/16/11 at 18:22:32

The car is outside ,that's the problem . How about one of those katz,inline lower radiator hose heaters?

Title: Re: Cold engine
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/16/11 at 21:44:56

What part of Florida you call home?

Title: Re: Cold engine
Post by odmanout on 01/17/11 at 06:28:13

You live in Florida? and you need a block heater? :o

Title: Re: Cold engine
Post by rl153 on 01/17/11 at 06:42:52

Connecticut,

Title: Re: Cold engine
Post by Jerry Eichenberger on 01/17/11 at 06:46:05

Just a word of warning - the Sunday before Christmas, my airport manager and I went to see a fellow who had an airplane for sale. He gave us a ride to his hangar in a very nice diesel pickup truck.

After seeing the plane, on Monday morning I sent him a proposal by email. He never answered, so I called his cell number a few days later.

Well, he had one of those electric heated dipsticks in his truck that Sunday night. Somehow it shorted out and burned his house to the ground.

He and his family got out with only their pants on - he said he had smoke alarms, but their family dog saved their lives, as the dog sensed the smoke before the alwarms went off. The dog went nuts, barking and jumping up on the bed, and woke the guy and his wife.

So, be careful about electrically powered heaters of any sort. And, be very kind to your dog.

Title: Re: Cold engine
Post by bill67 on 01/17/11 at 08:43:35

I would put the one that goes on the water line by the radiator.

Title: Re: Cold engine
Post by mpescatori on 01/17/11 at 09:28:19

RL153, if you have issues with a cold engine in the morning, may I suggest going a slightly different way ?

Use thinner (winter) oil.

Personally, I drive a good 20.000 miles/year just to commute (and, in Europe, that's a whopping long way !) and I change the oil every 7000 miles.

In the spring and fall changes I use 5W-40, but for the winter oil change I use 0W-40.
Sure, it's more expensive that 15-40 Walmart brand, but hey, how much is an engine rebuild?

5W-40 or 0W-40 oil means the oil will be very smooth even when cold cranking on a frosty winter's day, yet behave properly as you expect it to when the engine is hot... it's rated SAE 40 8-)

;)

Title: Re: Cold engine
Post by rl153 on 01/17/11 at 12:59:19

I bought one of those inline radiator hose heaters. It was $15 ,and I don't think it's hard to install . It can't burn the house down because the car is outside.Also ,I use 5w-30 oil year round. Thanks for the help.

Title: Re: Cold engine
Post by odmanout on 01/17/11 at 14:57:08

A heated battery blanket works better than a block heater because it lets the battery put out all its power to start the motor. The advantage of a block heater thats in line on the rad hose is that you get instant warmth from the heater too.

Title: Re: Cold engine
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/17/11 at 15:57:14

I can sure see keepin the battery warm. Cold slows chemical reactions.

Title: Re: Cold engine
Post by tcreeley on 01/18/11 at 15:20:41

"How about one of those katz,inline lower radiator hose heaters? "

I used one of these in may nissan sentra some years back when the temp would barely get above 0 F and -25 below was common at night (Central Maine). It worked great - plug it in every night. But I have to say that after 7 or so years - the sentra with the heater had head gasket problems, and my other without the heater never did.

I've used the magnetic plug in block heaters on the oil pan for my cub tractor and air compressor. They work but not so well -- always plugged in.

A strong battery makes all the difference. ;)