Block Heater Plugs - Who uses them ???

[peterpsg]

Has anyone got block heater plugs installed?

Can you get 12 Volt versions?? (Or just the 110v or 230v types...)

Cheers,
Pete

[Boosted LS1]

Chevy ls1's accept them so could you enquire of guys using those in say canada?

Boosted

[Fast BMW 7]

We generally use them in the winter here in the cooler parts of Canda. I have only ever seen 110 volt ones. In the REALLY cold places, we use:
A block heater element
An oil pan heating pad
An electric battery blanket
A circulating in line coolant heater

In the REALLY REALLY cold parts of Canada, don't even think of shutting off the vehicle outside if you want to start it again before summer.
Note, the many new engines with thin wall castings and minimalist coolant water jackets don't work with block core plug heaters and an external heating element that affixes to the outside of the engine block is used instaed.

[ikom]

Yes - several versions are available in my part of Canada all of them are 110/115 volts though.

The most popular and also the versions that almost all car manufacturers fit on new cars here are designed to fit into the frost plug holes in the engine block. A heater element mounted on a round "O" ring base corresponding to the size of the frost plug hole. $30CDN

In-line versions which fit into the lower hose of the radiator. $55CDN.

Magnetic versions that clamp onto the bottom of the oil pan (requires the pan to be ferrous) $50CDN

My local auto parts store carries all of them - thankfully I only use them on my winter cars even though I drive from a warm garage to a heated garage every day.

Ike

[peterpsg]

Cheers Guys,

it was just an idea I had floating around my head as a means to reduce starting wear...

[Fast BMW 7]

A pre-luber like an Accusump would work equally well for minimizing wear on start ups.However, if you want to take the beast out on cooler days from an (unheated) storage space, a block heater would be nice for what it's worth.
Harry.

[peterpsg]

I have a dry sump setup as much as I'd like to add an accusump to the set up, I'm having enough 'fun' fitting the heat exchanger, though it has been done by someone here.

I think if the oil is up to a reasonable temperature before starting it'll be almost as good as an accusump in that regard...

[zumbruk]

peterpsg said:

Cheers Guys, it was just an idea I had floating around my head as a means to reduce starting wear...

I used to have a Kenlowe coolant heater on my Range Rover in order to reduce startup wear, fuel consumption and provide instant heating. It plumbs into a radiator hose and plugs into the mains (230V). It consists of a 2 or 3 kW heating element and a small pump. I had it on a timer to warm the car up 15 minutes before I left in the mornings. I was very pleased with it until the day the thermostat failed closed circuit and it boiled the coolant, then the seals failed and the coolant leaked away, then the wiring melted and it tripped the house RCD, so we overslept because the alarm clock didn't go off. I always like having to get changed back out of my suit into overalls to fix the car in the blowing snow first thing in the morning. Not.

To add insult to injury, Kenlowe claimed they had no record of my purchasing it (it was warranteed) even though I bought it direct (I found my receipt eventually and they replaced it.) I sold the replacement on eBay.

[Fast BMW 7]

They make dry sump tank heaters for just that purpose... to warm up the oil. Good idea, to be sure. Cheers!