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Engine heaters
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 12:50 am
by Marmot
I might be heading back to Nodak to work this winter. I need an engine/block heater in my 93 Bonnevizzle if I go back there to work. What is the best way to go? Frost plug, lower radiator hose, engine heater? This will be a DIY.
Marmot
Re: Engine heaters
Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:27 pm
by Marmot
So y'all live in the south and don't need engine heaters.
Marmot
Re: Engine heaters
Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:39 pm
by PRD2BDF
What about one of those oil dipstick heaters that you stick in the dipstick to keep the oil warm?
Re: Engine heaters
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 6:58 pm
by 93RedSled-SSE
Marmot wrote:I might be heading back to Nodak to work this winter. I need an engine/block heater in my 93 Bonnevizzle if I go back there to work. What is the best way to go? Frost plug, lower radiator hose, engine heater? This will be a DIY.
Marmot
When I lived on the cold prairie, I favored the unit that goes in the bottom radiator hose. I don't know it to be a fact, but I have been TOLD that the dipstick unit has the possibility of cooking your oil. Would have to get awfully hot. Though it doesn't warm the motor, I remember there also being a battery warmer to keep it at full potential. Just my 3 cents worth.
Re: Engine heaters
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:21 pm
by bill buttermore
The dipstick heaters that I have seen are worthless. Magnetic heaters that attach to the bottom or side of the pan are not much better. My vote is for a 500 or 600 watt freeze plug heater. They get the heat where it needs to go in the the most efficient manner. But they are NOT easy to install. The lower radiator hose heater will be much easier to install but will not be as effective, watt for watt. A very inexpensive help is to use a drop light with a 100 watt bulb placed under or low near the battery to keep it warm. A warm battery makes a huge difference when trying to start a cold engine.
Re: Engine heaters
Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 2:52 pm
by Barry
I would strongly recommend synthetic motor oil also. It does not thicken like dino oil and will make turning your engine over much easier. Oil will also circulate and lube right away. If your battery is more than three years old, get a new one. It is cheap insurance. I would get the lower radiator hose heater. You'll have no problems with that type of heater if you get the the oil and battery. Put the heater on a timer so it will start a couple of hours before you need to start the car. There is no need to have it drawing juice for 8 to 10 hours.