Any of yew yankees (or canooks) using an engine block heater?

[Skibane]

Picked one up at the thrift store last summer (NIB, for 3 bucks!). Now that it's finally cold outside (by Texas standards! ), I'm seriously considering installing it on the Q. It's the kind that mounts in-line in a radiator hose - 600 watts - and looks something like this:



Anyone using one? If so, how much does it help with cold-weather warm-ups? Are you controlling it with a timer, or just leaving it on all the time?

[elwesso]

i dont think it actually will keep the block warm (say above 50F), it just keeps the block and more importantly the radiator from freezing..

600watts isnt enough power to keep the entire engine hot...

[WideBodyCharlie]

i need something like this for my car. it has major cold cranking issues. what is the best kind. when i heard the term, i pictured a oversized heating pad!

[96Qowner]

The first thing I did to my Louisiana-raised '96 was to put in a block heater. It's not good for long-term life to crank up an unheated engine on a nice crisp -25 morning. I just leave mine plugged in all winter. I have a block heater, but I've always preferred a tank heater like the one you show.

Even in Texas, it can't hurt. I'd put it on a timer in your climate. An hour should be enough to bring it up to temperature. Your interior will warm faster, too.

Be prepared for startled questions from folks. I still get comments almost every time I go south in the winter when they see that plug sticking out of the grill. "Uh, is that car electric?"

[DrewQ45]

Not really a necessity in TX but what the heck, you only payed three bucks. Hope it doesn't add too much to your electric bill. If you're running full synthetic, oil delivery should be quick anyway. Personally I'd not bother with it... Knowing how I'm always running late for work, I'd probably peel out of the garage forgetting it's plugged in and rip the outlet from the wall.

...Drew...

[elwesso]

if you have cold cranking issues where it doesnt get below 0F, you have SERIOUS problems that you need to rectify immediately before your car becomes immobile...

I routinely cold cranked my Q on very cold days after sitting for a while and its never had an issue.

[maxnix]

Not really a necessity in TX but what the heck, you only payed three bucks.

Hey, I have seen the homeless people wear down jackets with hoods deployed when it dropped to 75° F.

The other night a lady was walking into a restaurant wearing a mink jacket when it was a near frostbiting 72° F.
Modified by maxnix at 10:01 AM 12/2/2006

[Skibane]

i dont think it actually will keep the block warm (say above 50F), it just keeps the block and more importantly the radiator from freezing..

I had a tank-type heater on my 4-cylinder pickup for a few years (300 watts, IIRC). In 30 degree weather, it had a HUGE effect on engine warm-up time - The temperature gauge actually moved as soon as the engine was started! It also blew warm-ish air out of the heater almost immediately, which was a nice convenience.

I'm not looking to keep the Q's engine at normal operating temperature all the time - I'd just settle for a temperature at start-up that was about the same as on a warm summer day - No extra stress on lubricated parts, and full use of 4th gear in just a few minutes.

[96Qowner]

... and full use of 4th gear in just a few minutes.

Unfortunately, it won't help with that - transmission isn't water-cooled.

But it will warm the interior faster.

[elwesso]

so does that thing actually keep circulating warm coolant??? if so, that would be nice!!!!

[96Qowner]

It doesn't physically pump coolant, but it transfers heat throughout the cooling system by conduction.

[Q45tech]

Once lived [not the owner] on a N. J. estate where the 10 car heated gargage stayed 72F year around..........massive heating plant [ 2 - 5,000 gallon storage tanks] and underground piping to multiple green houses the main house had elevators and swimming pool in basement plus the 2 outside ones near the tennis courts.

This is the type of elegance the Q was designed to occupy.

[96Qowner]

Gotta love those N.J. estates! Those folks know how to make best use of their family resources, heheh.

I hope my Q feels sufficiently elegant, all warm and toasty in its insulated garage.

[Skibane]

Unfortunately, it won't help with that - transmission isn't water-cooled.

IIRC, the 4th gear lockout is based on ENGINE coolant temperature, not ATF temperature. Warm coolant = 4th gear, regardless of ATF temperature.

Also, the in-tank ATF heat exchanger works both ways: Warm coolant will transfer some heat to cold ATF.

[elwesso]

no its based on ATF temp (using the ATF temperature sensor)

who uses 4th gear in the city anyway.....?

3rd gear up until 50-55MPH!!!!