Engine Block heater - Who has one?

KahunaKahuna familEE
in Engine & Drivetrain
I'm thinking about installing a block heater and was wondering who has one.. How do they work? Do I need a special kind? Thanks

Comments

  • AK_CRXAK_CRX New Wagonist
    There's a couple different kinds. Theres the OEM type that is a true block heater, also called dead bolt heater. These type tap into a bolt hole in your block, right into a coolant passage. The heating element has a continuous draw of electricity while plugged into a 110 home type outlet, this will heat the entire coolant contents of the engine, This will keep oil the correct viscocity when temperatures get low. This reduces engine damage from cold starts, stops the coolant from freezing in extreme colds, and makes the coolant so warm that your heater will actually start producing heat quite faster than if you hadn't plugged in. Then thers the oil pan heaters, they are cheaper. They are just like grandma's heating pad, glued to the bottom of the oil pan with RTV sealant. Plug it in and it will keep the oil in the pan warm. You really only need one or the other, unless you are in a place where it is regularly 10 below or colder, then it's a good idea to have both. The general consensus is to plug in when it's 20 degrees or less. They run advertisements every year to cut down on emissions (smog)
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    There are also ones that replace a freeze plug, and ones that simply stick in your dipstick hole. They're all just simple resistors, much like the element in an electric water heater or oven. They're common on the OTR trucks that I work on, but probably not necessary for where you live. An incandescent lightbulb under the hood on the 3-4 days a year when it's really cold would be sufficient.
  • KahunaKahuna familEE
    Yeah, but my car runs really bad when it's cold... I have to let it idle for a few minutes before it starts running right..

    I looked into remote starts but came up with some things that said they were bad for your car and you could lose something like 25% gas milage when you let your car idle for a long time.. I believe it, I was getting 260 miles a tank and when it got cold I dropped to 200.. Soo I think I need some sort of heating device.. So far I have found:

    Oil Dipstick style
    Magnet style that go on the oil-pan
    freeze plug
    lower coolant hose in-line..

    Which would be better? Oil or water? What size are Honda freeze plugs?

    I also hate waking up at 6 in the morning and having to drive my car 15 minutes to make it warm up with no heat.. It sucks..

    bam-bam, you work with trucks? As do I.. Who do you work for?
  • lalunettelalunette familEE
    My first comment is WOW, what a great description of block heaters, how they operate and what they do!!
    AK_CRX wrote:
    There's a couple different kinds. Theres the OEM type that is a true block heater, also called dead bolt heater. These type tap into a bolt hole in your block, right into a coolant passage. The heating element has a continuous draw of electricity while plugged into a 110 home type outlet, this will heat the entire coolant contents of the engine, This will keep oil the correct viscocity when temperatures get low. This reduces engine damage from cold starts, stops the coolant from freezing in extreme colds, and makes the coolant so warm that your heater will actually start producing heat quite faster than if you hadn't plugged in.

    All of my cars in the past have had the above mentioned type of block heater. Last week I prepped the Honda for cold weather by adding a battery blanket (warms up the battery to maximize cranking power) and an interior car warmer (small portable electric heater that warms the inside of the car).

    All three (block heater, battery blanket and interior car warmer) are plugged into a timer that starts a couple hours before I need to leave in the morning.
    AK_CRX wrote:
    Then there's the oil pan heaters, they are cheaper. They are just like grandma's heating pad, glued to the bottom of the oil pan with RTV sealant. Plug it in and it will keep the oil in the pan warm.

    The Lada has the above mentioned type of heater as it did not come with a factory block heater. It is the model that has a magnet on one side and the heating element on the other. Right now it is magnetized to the side of the engine block and keeps the oil warm. I will have to look into ordering one from my contact in Hungary. I have also added a battery blanket. Right now the Lada does not have an interior car warmer but that is next on my shopping list.

    Cheers !!
  • lucskywalkerlucskywalker Wagonist
    Kahuna wrote:
    Yeah, but my car runs really bad when it's cold... I have to let it idle for a few minutes before it starts running right..

    I looked into remote starts but came up with some things that said they were bad for your car and you could lose something like 25% gas milage when you let your car idle for a long time.. I believe it, I was getting 260 miles a tank and when it got cold I dropped to 200.. Soo I think I need some sort of heating device.. So far I have found:

    Oil Dipstick style
    Magnet style that go on the oil-pan
    freeze plug
    lower coolant hose in-line..

    Which would be better? Oil or water? What size are Honda freeze plugs?

    I also hate waking up at 6 in the morning and having to drive my car 15 minutes to make it warm up with no heat.. It sucks..

    bam-bam, you work with trucks? As do I.. Who do you work for?

    dont know about the v6 but as far as our d,and b, series the only freeze plug on these motors are in the end of the intake plenium, they use one 19mm bolt in front of the block and 96-00 in the rear for the d-series. for the b-series its in the front, dont know about the newest modles though. ive always thanked the honda gods for never putting such a piece of crap device in these motors :wink:
  • lalunettelalunette familEE
    lucskywalker wrote:
    ive always thanked the honda gods for never putting such a piece of crap device in these motors :wink:

    To what "piece of crap" are you referring? :twisted:
  • lucskywalkerlucskywalker Wagonist
    lalunette wrote:
    lucskywalker wrote:
    ive always thanked the honda gods for never putting such a piece of crap device in these motors :wink:

    To what "piece of crap" are you referring? :twisted:

    sorry, was talking about freeze plugs, the one ive always had to change you might as well just take the whole motor out just to fix. :evil:
  • lalunettelalunette familEE
    lucskywalker wrote:
    lalunette wrote:
    lucskywalker wrote:
    ive always thanked the honda gods for never putting such a piece of crap device in these motors :wink:

    To what "piece of crap" are you referring? :twisted:

    sorry, was talking about freeze plugs, the one ive always had to change you might as well just take the whole motor out just to fix. :evil:

    I see...

    Yes, much better to have a factory block heater that threads into the side of the engine and is easy to replace.

    Cheers !!!
  • The_HeadThe_Head familEE
    Is there any new information on this?

    Mine has a heater plumbed into the radiator hose. I'd like a conventional block heater though.

    For you B-series guys, I do know a CRV (the old B20 models) block heater works in a B16A. I did that in my '92 Integra last winter.
  • skinnyskinny Senior Wagonist
    http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.p ... l-765.html for front of block install.

    I know this is for a element but they run b-series motors and this is the way I would do it if the d-series have the drain plug on the back. the behind the headers concerns me alittle and wouldnt want to melt wiring

    http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/AI/AII24284.pdf

    Enjoy. Oh and use google!
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