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#1
11-26-2005, 12:00 AM
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Block or dipstick heater?
Anyone use either an oil dipstick or block heater? Or have any recommendations? I am calling the kind that goes into the radiator hose a block heater.
Getting that time here in CT - overnight temps down in the teens. This AM the poor thing was moaning. Yes, using 5-30 oil. Thinking about going to 5-20 at next oil change. Also, I am in the habit of using a piece of cardboard to restrict airflow to the radiator when temps get below freezing. Any thoughts on that? Thanks, Gumby_CT
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1998 Chevy Tracker 4dr, 4wd, auto, 1996 2dr Metro LSi, 3Cyl. 5spd, 107k mi. My other car...in need of repair it won't start any longer 1995 2dr Tracker Conv. 4wd, 5spd, A/C 170k mi. (My Fav) 
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#3
11-26-2005, 08:53 AM
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Re: Re: Block or dipstick heater?
Quote:
Thanks
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1998 Chevy Tracker 4dr, 4wd, auto, 1996 2dr Metro LSi, 3Cyl. 5spd, 107k mi. My other car...in need of repair it won't start any longer 1995 2dr Tracker Conv. 4wd, 5spd, A/C 170k mi. (My Fav)
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#4
11-26-2005, 09:52 AM
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Re: Re: Re: Block or dipstick heater?
Quote:
Cheers, Blake http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...001648/c-10101 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kats-...spagenameZWDVW
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#5
11-26-2005, 10:26 AM
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Block or dipstick heater?
i would like to see someone do a comprehensive test of various block heater styles. it would have helped me make a decision on mine.
i was going to get a magnetic one too, but the parts guy warned about falling off (though you could always wire it to something so it would only "dangle" if it came loose, not fall off). ended up installing an OEM style heater on my 3-cyl. it's block mounted (back of the engine), but not through a frost plug, so it doesn't directly warm the coolant. it's a shaped heater element (like an electric charcoal bbq starter) that fits snug against the block. 120v, 300w rated. 2 hours of plug in time gives me 24 C / 75 F coolant temperature at -7 C / 20 F ambient (indicated on the ScanGauge last night). from there it takes about a minute of driving before i've got warm air from the heater. whichever style you choose, come back to this thread and let us know how it goes.
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#7
11-26-2005, 04:33 PM
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As far as reliable starting in cold weather goes, it is the battery that cold temps puts the greatest toll on. Keep the battery warm with a plate that goes under it and requires a 120v source.
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#8
11-26-2005, 05:23 PM
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A battery witch looses charge overnight in sub 0 temperature is a bad battery and needs to be replaced , a good condition battery has to supply the cold cranking amps even after 3 days in sub 0 temp, much les in a car witch is started and driven daily at least an hour.
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#9
11-26-2005, 06:27 PM
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Re: Block or dipstick heater?
Quote:
 Use the proper weight oil. The electrical components are not affected by the cold. You have the proper antifreeze in the cooling system and the fuel is free of moisture. Even the best battery will lose better than 50% of it's rated capacity at sub-zero temps. Keeping the motor warm will indeed make it easier to start, but the battery is the starting component most affected by the cold.
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#10
11-26-2005, 09:10 PM
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Ok, took a trip to the parts store. The guy says the magnetic type has to be removed before you drive. Don't like that idea. He had the oil stick type $14. It is WAY to looong (24") for the Metro and NOT long enuff for F150 - go figure. He also had the lower radiator hose type $20. I bought both, made by KAT'S by Five Star Mfg. Co.
After looking at the Metro, I am wondering if anyone makes one to go in the heater hose. It would likely be much easier to install. If so, can you recommend a source? Is that how the tank heaters install? Inline with the heater hose? Does anyone know? Thanks, Gumby_CT
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1998 Chevy Tracker 4dr, 4wd, auto, 1996 2dr Metro LSi, 3Cyl. 5spd, 107k mi. My other car...in need of repair it won't start any longer 1995 2dr Tracker Conv. 4wd, 5spd, A/C 170k mi. (My Fav)
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#11
11-26-2005, 09:49 PM
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Re: Block or dipstick heater?
Quote:
I gave two links above...
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#12
11-26-2005, 10:07 PM
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Saw the links...Thanks.
Does that mean the "Tank Type" are the ones that splice into the heater hose? The one on ebay - gives no clues as to what it will fit. I saw another somewhere which had 5/8" nipples which I think will be a bit big for a Metro hose. What size ID is the Metro hose?
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1998 Chevy Tracker 4dr, 4wd, auto, 1996 2dr Metro LSi, 3Cyl. 5spd, 107k mi. My other car...in need of repair it won't start any longer 1995 2dr Tracker Conv. 4wd, 5spd, A/C 170k mi. (My Fav)
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#13
11-27-2005, 10:46 AM
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Re: Block or dipstick heater?
Quote:
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#14
12-12-2005, 09:14 AM
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Re: Block or dipstick heater?
Quote:
since you asked the original question, i did some research online ... in order of effectiveness, here's how i would rank different engine heater styles. (may be kind of late, but it could help someone else) 1 - inline pump recirculating (splices into heater core hose) 2 - frost plug internal (traditional block heater style) 3 - block mounted external element (bolt on) 4 - magnetic block mounted element (if there's some place to attach it) 5 - inline non-circulating (rad hose) 6 - dipstick heater i put #3 on my car. #2 wasn't available at the parts store i use and i didn't know about #1 until i started looking this stuff up. i discovered something really cool about the toyota prius: on shutdown it stores hot coolant in a 3-liter "thermos" reservoir that stays hot overnight (and apparently warm for up to 3 days). on "power up", the hot coolant gets pumped back into the engine where it warms things up enough to improve cold-start emissions and fuel consumption. i made a page with more details about all this if you're interested: http://metrompg.com/posts/block-heater.htm
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#15
12-13-2005, 10:55 AM
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Re: Re: Block or dipstick heater?
Quote:
My quick update...I ended up returning the dipstick heater because it was too long for the Metro and wouldn't reach the oil in the F150. Advance said the only had one length. The one for the Lower Hose is still sitting on my desk because it's been cold out (waaah) and I didn't want to get in the middle of something. The few warmer days we had I was busy with other things. For my taste - the frost plug style is way tooo much work & runs the risk of leaks or something else going wrong. Your comparison sure puts it in perspective. After I made the post - I thought the heater hose style maybe was on the wrong side of the thermostat?? and wouldn't really warm the engine. But still think it is the easiest to install. The one on ebay ( Item number: 4595144813) appeared to be used (tho it was NOT stated) and I really didn't want to pay $41 plus $8 shipping to find out it no longer worked. I was NOT able to find another like it in my search. Has anyone located a source for another inline heater hose type heater? Thanks again for your page. Looks like lotsa other good info there too. Worth noting is the Prius, hot coolant is pump, now if they could make it get better gas mileage. I saw a news report that says it doesn't live up to the EPA ratings (surprise) ha, wassup wid dat? Gumby_CT ps. Still looking for the "local hose house".
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1998 Chevy Tracker 4dr, 4wd, auto, 1996 2dr Metro LSi, 3Cyl. 5spd, 107k mi. My other car...in need of repair it won't start any longer 1995 2dr Tracker Conv. 4wd, 5spd, A/C 170k mi. (My Fav) Last edited by gumby_ct; 12-13-2005 at 11:58 AM.
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