Block Heaters

[canadian95sts]

Its been really cold here for the past week or so, (-25 with the windchill), and it got me to thinking about my block heater. I have never used it, but was wondering if anyone here does, and if there are any signifigant advantages over not using it. I guess they put them there for a reason right??

Matt

[Ranger]

One thing to kep in mind is that you car does not feel wind chill. It is affected only by the still air tempuratures. That said, I have never used one. The worst we have ever had down here was -27. I started that day and that was in the days of carburators, distributors and ignition points so I never felt the need for one.

[JimD]

Its been really cold here for the past week or so, (-25 with the windchill), and it got me to thinking about my block heater. I have never used it, but was wondering if anyone here does, and if there are any signifigant advantages over not using it. I guess they put them there for a reason right??

Matt

Ditto on Larry's comments. Wind chill applies to warm-blooded creatures.

Use of a block heater would be recommended in Winnipeg or Saskatoon or Prince Albert; but not in southern Ontario. Diesel engines could be the exception.

[canadian95sts]

Ditto on Larry's comments. Wind chill applies to warm-blooded creatures.

Use of a block heater would be recommended in Winnipeg or Saskatoon or Prince Albert; but not in southern Ontario.

Actually, the temp. here in Southern Ontario does drop to the negative double digits quite a bit, last winter we had about a month and a half of -20 or so without the windchill, and the rest of the winter wasnt much warmer.

I did some searching about this online, and thought I'd post my findings:

About those block heaters:

a)Using a block heater is a much more efficient and effective way to warm the engine than idling. A block heater warms the engine block and lubricants, which means the engine will start easier and reach its peak operating time faster.

b)You don't need to leave a block heater plugged in overnight to warm the engine - two hours is more than enough. Many people use an automatic timer to switch on the block heater at the appropriate time.

c)In temperatures of -20o C, block heaters can improve overall fuel economy by as much 10 %. For a single short trip on a cold day, the fuel savings could be in the order of 20 %.

Once a vehicle is running, the best way to warm it up is to drive it! With computer-controlled, fuel-injected engines, you need no more than 1 to 2 minutes - 30 seconds is actually recommended for normal winter temperatures - before driving away, provided it is safe to do so (e.g. frost is off of windows).

In winter conditions, emissions from an idling vehicle are more than double the normal level immediately after a cold start. Driving a vehicle cuts warm-up times in half. That means reduced fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

[jschunke]

If I had a garage you bet my Caddy would

have a block heater. No one here talks about

pre-oilers either, especially for those cars that

sit for a while. It's reassuring to see 30 psi

without the engine cranking - I put one in

my Camaro, not the Seville.

[stsjoe]

I'm waiting for Ed to chime in from Hawaii

[TDK]

Folks,

Just a couple points to ponder:

1. Wind chill factor:

This effect does not make a difference, if the object in question is not being supplied heat. So the car sitting in -25f all night "does not care" if the wind is blowing from 0 to 50 mph - it simply can not get any colder. Makes sense right?

We supply heat to our skin surface via blood circulation from our core and muscle exertion etc. Wind wicks the heat away via convection and radiation and more heat must be supplied. Therefore, wind chill for humans is easy to comprehend.

Now, if an engine has a "block heater", then it will loose some heat like us - due to increased convection from increased wind through the grill and undercarriage. I propose that some of the heat energy put into the engine by the block heater will dissipate quicker - due to the lower the wind chill factor (increased convection). This would be a similar effect experienced by homes with heat losses due to infiltration or drafts, that are both exacerbated by wind.

Again, if there was no heat supplied to the object in question, then wind chill would not make any difference.

1. Block Heaters:

These devices seem to be very helpful if utilized as one writer noted with a timer to engage a few hours before intended startup. The fuel savings (as opposed to idling) should be easy to determine.

The reduction of potential accidents (from young ones left in the car during loading up ) or outright theft - due to excessive idling also seem obvious. Granted cars with electronic locks can guard against theft, but don't we all see countless cars idling in front of homes and businesses for driver comfort.

As much as we tend to agonize over batteries, this would seem to be the area of greatest return on investment. It would be interesting to determine the extra amp loads dumped on a already depleted battery (from cold cranking) and the overall electrical charging system - due to seat heaters, window defrosters, etc. All of these loads would be less if the coolant was preheated by the block heater.

And then there are all the cold engine oil flow issues, over pressurization of tranny fluids at subzero startup - many of which might benefit from a block heater.

3. What if:

There was an option to plug in your car and have it run the heater blowers, defrosters, (OK, even the seat heaters on outside power) - after the block temperaure gets to a given temperature? Or for Summer, run a small cooling ventilation system. This power/info umbilical could charge the vehicle battery and report any issues. So, how much would you pay?

Now if somebody could just figure a way (use "Roomba" technology?) for the block heater power to connect and disconnect itself...

All IMHO

[Ed Fenwick]

Aloha guys, block heater? I always tried to keep mine cool! Keep warm guys, after February it will get better.

Ed

[Matt]

I cant remember the exact year it was when I first started driving for the company I still work for. I was with them for a bit then went on the road and then moved into the shop many many years later. After 23 years it's a bit of a blur now. I started out with a small rack truck type body then moved into low boys to move excevators and dozers for about 7 years then got my own shop and am still there today. The truck they bought for me was supposed to go to another state. A cold state I was sure of because of what was in the truck. This was an auto diesel with a super heavy toe package that included seperate hydraulics for an on board extendable lifting arm. In the cab was a control panal that had as follows. Engine block heating devices with start up time and temp control; Engine block circulator to heat anti freez with start up timer and temp set control; Duel battery warming system with start up timer and temp setting control; Transmission fluid heaters with start up timer and temp control; Hydraulic sump heaters with startup timer and temp control: I will never forget this truck, I remember saying "Holy-Crap" what the heck is all this for. After a wile I got it all figured out and it was pretty neet. This thing must have been going to like Alaska or something but it wound up on the lot because of a failed deal I guess. On the driver side behind the cab was a hatch that lifted up ware there was a power cord on a real. I would pull it out and plug it in. There was a book for the recommended settings for everything according to temp out side. My first 4 or 5 hours were equipment pick ups so I would come in at 5:30AM and park next to it, jump in and it was like all ready to go. I used to hope for cold and colder weather. I have never seen anything like it since.

[ted tcb]

CDN STS: My last STS, the '97, came standard with a block heater.

The way it was budled up, I doubt the previous owner, a senior, had ever unravelled the cord. I live about 2 hours north of you, and used my block heater throughout last winter.

I parked my STS outside, and always plugged it in to a timer, set to come on around 5am. The battery always cranked quickly, and the engine seemed to be under less starting strain.

On the few occasions I neglected to plug it in, the car was very lethargic on startup... it seemed to be much slower, like it was churning up molasses.

Sadly, my 99 STS doesn't have the block heater option, and we are just heading into our deep freeze.

[stsjoe]

Aloha guys, block heater? I always tried to keep mine cool! Keep warm guys, after February it will get better.

Ed

What did I tell Ya!