What does a block heater do?

OKay so for those of you who have read my other thread. My car has been acting up. Here is a real quick sumamrk.

1995 Grand Am Se 3.1 Litre V6

When she is cold (first thing in the morning) she won't start. To get her going I have to give her gas. Then the car will start and run for about 5-10 minutes (idling in the driveway) then it will stall out.

The second time I try and start it, it will start good usually, no need to give it gas like the first time but it will stall out in about one minute. This goes on for a half hour then it will run fine (once the temperature gauge is past the first line).

If I plug the car in (it is a Canadian car so it has a plug for the block heater). She does not have any of the described starting problems.

What exactly is being kept warm by the plug that is making the difference?

Thanks,

AspDotNetGuy

The block heater is a coil that heats up and keeps the coolant warm. By maintaining the block water in a warm condition the engine is actually starting warmer than the outside temperature. By keeping the block warm the oil also stays warm. Generally the block heater will not keep the block very warm but if it is -20C and the block is maintained at 0 C it is much warmer and therefore will start more easily. A good piece of equipment to have when it is really cold but you have to use it!

Hi friends... Was the block heater offered as an option or some sort of option package? I don't think I have it here on my 2000GT1..... Thanks!
Tommy

It came with the car depending on where it was bought/sold.

My GA was B/S in the US but is Canadian, I had a block heater but its not really nesesary where I liv.

They really do help on those cold ass mornings. If I ever need to keep mine warm(temps are below 0), I'll throw on the infrared heat lamp and shine it onto the oil pan/block overnight, works great just a little more work then "pluging it in".

Hi Xero... thanks. I'll take a look when it stops snowing here, but I don't think I have it on mine. Maybe the Canadian built ones had it.... Not sure where mine was built though; maybe Michigan?????
Take care buddy..

Tommy

All canadian cars have block heaters. Its nothing to have a month straight of -30Celcius here. Anyway my when I plug my block heater in I don't have the same starting problems. Could my problem be related to my coolant? (THe car should still start even if it is cold, it used to, and my other grand am does).

Thanks

Some american cars do hav them. Usually thiers a plug hanging somewhere under the hood, probley around the front of hte car(for easer access).
Surly you can buy one if you wanted at a certain parts store.

Thanks for the info, Xero... I'll pop the hood and check that out. I haven't really checked out my engine thoroughly yet, as it has been running perfect. plus, I have a two year extended warranty so the dealership has been doing the oil changes and other misc stuff....
More darn snow here in Massachusetts.... I want Spring !!!!

Tommy

EDIT >>> Thank you xero, I just saw the p.m. in my inbox. First one I ever recieved; and thank you for letting me know that !!!! Take care buddy...

If you dont feel like looking for it, take the thing in and ask the Dealer, I'd think they'd know right off whether it does hav one or not.

Ya I am ready for warmer weather, hate all that damn rain in the spring though...

Okay all you thread Hi-Jackers... back to me me me ;)

Just kidding anyway

X (or anyone else): Do my starting issues make any more sense now. The car starts like a charm if its plugged in but if not I have issues with it stalling out and what now?

I think the starting problem has to do with the fact that the car atomizes fuel better when warmer than it does when the engine is cold. Also the engine clearances are slightly greater when warm than cold and this allows the engine to spin more freely.

If I were you I would use the block heater as much as possible and use a synthetic oil like a 0W-30 in the winter. Also you may want to use a little higher octane fuel as it will help it to start better in the winter. Finally, a can of fuel line antifreeze will not hurt either.

When its cold outside you car engine is the same temp in the morning as it is outside.
So I would use the heater, certainly helps with starting . Like I said when it gets 0 outside any of my cars that are left out of the garage that need used they'll get the heat lamp overnight.
As GTP Dad said, use some fuel line anti freeze, it'll help too.

Great... thats what I am going to do.

It should still start fine though, it used to and my oher Grand Am does (1995 3.1 litre se as well).