Engine Block Heater for Cold Weather

[Raymond G.]

There are devices to pre-heat the engine block or engine oil to facilitate cold weather starting. I'm interested in something that doesn't require any modification such as gluing a heating pad to the bottom of the oil pan. I'd like some advice and recommendations on any specific brand product from anyone who's had some experience with this.

[Bill I.]

Re: Engine Block Heater for Cold Weather

Ray, The way you structure your question, the only thing I can see that fits your needs would be a heated oil dipstick. Bill.

[Steven B.]

Re: Engine Block Heater for Cold Weather

Raymond, I have had engine block heaters on four of my vehicles and all have been the GM units which I was very pleased with and worked great, especially last week during the cold.

There is another unit I have seen with various brands in numerous auto parts stores in the north that requires no work to install. It is an oil dipstick that plugs into an extension cord.

Steve

[Roy B.]

Re: Engine Block Heater for Cold Weather

I love accessories and have the original CARTER engine heater for my year Corvette 55 , GM offered them for your year also ,GM still sells them I think you just replace a engine frizz plug , Buy the way GM had winter wipers for your vett and offered a battery warmer for your year as seen which I all have and use them. I also carry winter and mud tracks in there original box.

[Michael W.]

Re: Engine Block Heater for Cold Weather

There are devices to pre-heat the engine block or engine oil to facilitate cold weather starting.

Care to define 'cold weather starting'? I see you live in California.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Engine Block Heater for Cold Weather

remember block heater will not "heat up" a cold block outside in freezing weather as they need to be turned on while the engine is up to temp and they will keep it around 100 degrees.

[Raymond G.]

Re: Engine Block Heater for Cold Weather

Care to define 'cold weather starting'? I see you live in California.

Thats why I didn't say freezing weather although it does drop to the 20's on occasion.

[Raymond G.]

Re: Engine Block Heater for Cold Weather

remember block heater will not "heat up" a cold block outside in freezing weather as they need to be turned on while the engine is up to temp and they will keep it around 100 degrees.

Thanx Clem,
We do not experience the miserable weather here like in the northeast but it does drop below 32 F. often enough. Whether its overkill or not I just want to avoid hard starting and minimize engine wear attributed to cold weather starts.

[Raymond G.]

Re: Engine Block Heater for Cold Weather

I am thinking of acquiring a dipstick type oil heater although I've heard they're not that great. J.C. Whitney also has a magnet mount block heater. Some of their products are crappy though.

[Michael W.]

Re: Engine Block Heater for Cold Weather

Thanx Clem,
We do not experience the miserable weather here like in the northeast but it does drop below 32 F. often enough. Whether its overkill or not I just want to avoid hard starting and minimize engine wear attributed to cold weather starts.

Ray,

If the coldest it gets is 20*F, don't worry about engine wear. The next owner and the owner after that won't need to worry about it either.

Cold for me is -30F and below. Very few people up here bother with block heaters of any kind other than on some finicky foreign cars, or perhaps if they simply want some heat inside the cabin a little sooner.

Use the OEM recommended winter grade oil and you'll be all set.

[Roy B.]

Re: Engine Block Heater for Cold Weather

I live in the Ca. Sierra hills near Tahoe and it gets below freezing and we do drive to cold states .
when we do I plug in when we can. There are also water heaters that are in line with your heater hoses.

[Stephen G.]

Re: Engine Block Heater for Cold Weather

I use these in my cars and airplane. You can find them online at ebay or amazon (or in some automotive stores). Search for:

Kat's 15200 Dipstick Engine heater 23 inch

They run about $ 18.00 delivered & are 90 watt dipstick heaters.

[Bert L.]

Re: Engine Block Heater for Cold Weather

There are devices to pre-heat the engine block or engine oil to facilitate cold weather starting. I'm interested in something that doesn't require any modification such as gluing a heating pad to the bottom of the oil pan. I'd like some advice and recommendations on any specific brand product from anyone who's had some experience with this.

"Without performing any modifications, your choices are very limited and I would say not at all necessary as regards to the temperatures you envisage. Magnetic heating elements are available for the purpose you have in mind. In my experience engine dipstick heaters tend to "cook" the oil in contact with the element. Engine block or inline heater hose heating elements are the only truly efficient methods. Residing in a region which routinely experiences arctic temp winter values has given me all-too much first-hand experience to support my comments. Cheers"