G35 Block Heater

[jardolei]

Since its winter here in Canada and pretty cold in January I decided to plug my 2006 G35 coupe. Does anyone know if the block heater comes by default?I have the plug on the drivers side of the engine bay, so I conneted it to an extension. I came back an hour and a half later and started her up, but the temp was still at the needle like as if it didn't work. And it took a while for it go start getting warm.

My extension was recieving current as there is an indicator light on it....

Also, the plug is not long enough to stick out of the engine bay, so I had to leave the hood slightly open. Anyone know if its supposed to be like that?

[smockers83]

Well a block heater isn't going to keep the engine that warm. It keeps the coolant and/or oil warm enough to prevent freeze up and to aid in initial vaporization of gasoline. It's not going to keep it nice and toasty for you.

The only way you're going to get the temp gauge to move is to start the car and let it run, as it is based off of the coolant temperature. This has to circulate through the engine itself to warm up the engine until it's warm enough to open the thermostat. Then coolant starts flowing throughout the entire system. This doesn't happen until about 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

[pfarmer]

I have the plug on the drivers side of the engine bay, so I conneted it to an extension. I came back an hour and a half later and started her up, but the temp was still at the needle like as if it didn't work. And it took a while for it go start getting warm.

What I would do is measure the temperature of the hoses to your water pump. Keep in mind that a block heater large enough to keep the engine at closer to operating temperature, that is close enough for the gauge to register off the bottom setting is going to cost you to run on a continuous basis.

You will however have circulation without starting the car up as while the thermostat will be closed at whatever its design point is (180?) you will have natural circulation through the engine and water pump assembly. This also means that the engine will also give off heat to the environment.

In the case of oil being kept warm, I doubt you will have much benefit there as you will have little to no circulation without the car running.

If really concerned there are some other heaters for vehicles that will provide these benefits. I have seen some around where I live where it doesn't normally get that cold adopt heaters normally used for heavier equipment that operate off of a fuel source such as propane. Also you can get an oil heater. Just before starting up the car there are devices that can prepressurize your oil system. In my area I have not been any more concerned beyond maybe keeping the windows from icing up which is fairly easy to do here.

One benefit of some of my earlier cars was the engine blocks would hold heat for a long time. I could come home at night, wrap the engine with newspaper and a blanket over the top and it would still be warm in the morning, doesn't work that way any more on newer vehicles.

Perry

[tollboothwilley]

AT's (at least the early editions) have a 180* thermostat

MT's have 170* thermostats

[jardolei]

Alright so I guess its normal then and I'll use it like that. anyone know about the plug? Am I supposed to have to open the hood everytime I want to plug it?

[smockers83]

Not sure. I've seen on other cars where people feed it through the grille.

[jardolei]

yeah I have seen that too. But on the G I cut the first tie-wrap but it isn't even remotely long enough to reach the grille....