GP cold-weather heater

[sourjacks]

I'm not finding this discussed in past threads... forgive me if it has.

My area is calling for very frigid temps (-24). In the time I've owned this car (Grand Prix GT 3.8L) I've never plugged in the engine heater. I'm curious what kind of heater it most likely is - lower radiator hose or block heater? Which one is generally better? Needless to say, I've got it plugged-in now.

I've been pretty fortunate in this recent cold that it's started every morning with minor groaning. Odometer turns over to 190,000 this weekend.

[troy1]

More than likely its a block heater which is better. Welcome to the big freeze its going to be -29°F 75 miles north of you. I'm thinking about moving south and hang out with Bob.

[sourjacks]

Good deal. I was hoping that it may be a block heater.

This weather is crazy cold. The little bit that it's supposed to warm up next week will feel like I've moved south.

Anyway.. tomorrow morning I'll see if there's a noticeable difference at all in starting the GP.

[tblake]

Yep, mine has a block heater stock from the factory. Yours is more than likely a block heater. Mine hasn't been plugged in yet all winter, and started every time, even -15 degree temps....

[CrazyHorst]

Essentially the K05 (???) engine block heater option is one where the vehicle plant removes one of the core plugs/cup plugs/"freezeplugs" and installs a small U-shaped heater element in its place. The heater element has an o-ring seal to conform to the core-plug location in the block and a sort of retainer bar that keeps it from being blown out under pressure.

Not sure where the 115vac 3 prong cord goes though.

Generally the 3800 is developed to start without aid down to -40F. After that the block heater is a good idea, or if you have a marginal battery you are trying to limp along to spring. Also my grandfather's advice of keeping the gas tank full on a cold night keeps the "lighter hydrocarbons" in a liquid form rather than vaporizing into the empty space in the tank. Those small ones that are still volatile are the ones needed to reliably start the engine.

[sourjacks]

Today I ended up cleaning a foot of snow off the roof of the house instead of going anywhere with the car. The engine heater has been plugged in for over 24 hours now... and will be for another 12 hours. Am I correct to say that this shouldn't hurt anything?

[Mickey#1]

The only thing it'll hurt is your electric bill.

[sourjacks]

Very true.

[troy1]

A timer is your friend.

[rkvons]

I used to have a 1980 Cutlas Diesel that had a block heater. I always parked outside, so I added an electrical outlet near the garage door and wired it to a switch near the other door that goes into the house. I would come home from work at night and raise the garage and plug it in, but would leave it off. In the morning, right when I got up, I would go down to the garage and flip the switch and then get ready for work. By the time I left for work, the heater had done it's job and I was good to go. One thing you have to always be careful about is not taking off without disconnecting it. Oh, and by the way. That car would not start at all below about maybe 10-20 degrees F without the block heater. With the block heater, I could start it at any temperature. Keeping it running was another issue.

[sourjacks]

The outlet idea is an excellent idea. I assume you still had to run a #2 & #1 diesel blend even with the assistance of the heater?

troy1's idea of a timer is another good one. I know I have one laying around somewhere.

[rkvons]

Originally Posted by sourjacks

The outlet idea is an excellent idea. I assume you still had to run a #2 & #1 diesel blend even with the assistance of the heater?

troy1's idea of a timer is another good one. I know I have one laying around somewhere.

Yeah, I had to blend it. I also had an in-line fuel heater. The problem was, it was at the engine and I couldn't get the fuel to the engine when it was cold. I had that car for 17 years. Be careful with how much current your timer can handle.