Heat engine block for efficiency?

[MetroMPG]

Probably not - most transmission cases are aluminum...

[RH77]

I'll tell ya -- if it wasn't for the engine block heater plug-in, my tank average in the cold Winter would be about 5 MPG lower. (This is the direct, factory addition).

I too suffer from auto-trans, Arctic inefficiency. The torque converter is VERY hesitant to engage, and it won't upshift lower than 2500 RPM after a cold-soak start.

Since the rad has a built-in tranny-cooler, I assume a quick burst of warm transmission fluid is sent through the system on startup after plugged-in. That's it, I bet.

My guess is that your TC is acting-up in the cold. It can engage and disengage without change in speed, but the engine effort changes. Chrysler trannies are pretty particular to cold. This is followed by foreign brands, and finally by GM (they'll lockup at -40F, 2 miles after startup). Ford? Well, it varies...

RH77

[Stan]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

PS: In praise of the lowly block heater

Great resource page, Metro, but it is missing one very effective and inexpensive style of block heater...the adhesive pad heater.

For example: http://www.spiderautomotive.com/oilpanheater.html

I installed three of these on side of the block, dry sump tank and to the bottom of the transaxle of a customer's car, and we were both extremely pleased with the results.

They easily conform to non-flat surfaces, attach to aluminum, plastic, iron, whatever with hi-temp silicone adhesive (usually included)...and they really work well! Start the engine up after 30 minutes of being plugged in and the temp needle was instantly in the green arc. It might need an hour in colder climates.

You don't need a Moroso brand, either. Lots of folks make and sell them. Just do a search on 'adhesive oil pan heater' in your favorite search engine and you will get tons of hits.

Stan

[MetroMPG]

Stan - great find. I hadn't seen those before. Thanks for posting.

[Daox]

IMO the block heater is very much worth it. I just put one in my Matrix (wife's car) a few weeks ago. She loves that its blowing warm air seconds after pulling out of the driveway. That alone is worth it, but there are numerous benefits.

[jwxr7]

I like to do the timer thing with mine so it warms for a few hours before i take off. It really does make a difference in FE. I've been debating getting one for the wife's 08 civic. The dealer installed optional heater is $130 ish installed. I would normally just buy one and do it myself, but her car is so new I'm hesitant .

[Who]

In a better world, the EBH and some electrical interior pre-heating could be better integrated. As you exit the vehicle the night before you simply set 7am on a screen and then plug the vehicle in. It could then determine based on block temperature and ano utdoor temperature sensor when to start heating up the vehicle to have everything ready for you at 7am. Totally green comfort and luxury as compared to remote starters.

My EBH gets the coolant temp up to about 30°C (86°F) and after that I'm just wasting electricity so it gets tough trying to figure out how long to set the timer for. That gets you thinking...

[metroschultz]

Originally Posted by jwxr7

I've been debating getting one for the wife's 08 civic. The dealer installed optional heater is $130 ish installed. I would normally just buy one and do it myself, but her car is so new I'm hesitant .

After you finish your debate and decide to get one, check with your dealer first about DIY additions to the car. Having worked for several different Dealers, (Different brands), they all have their own hangups about WARRANTY. It would probly be worth it in the long run to allow them to install the heater. Then there is no question of warrant-ability.
I would not want to see your warranty toileted because of "Un-Authorized Modifications". S.

[bennelson]

My car has 200,000 miles on it. I am not concerned about a warranty.
I am not concerned about how pretty it is. I am not concerned about (low-speed) deer collisions.

It is amazingly liberating to not care what other people think.

Also, why not tinker with such a vehicle? I think the block heater on mine is a frost plug one. It came with the car, but I have really never used it. It may even have been factory installed.


On the photo of my car, that is right after I hit a deer. (Those things are crazy! Hard to dodge them!) Soon after that, I replaced the front of the headlight with a piece of plexiglass and lightly sanded it. It looks almost factory original!

[metroschultz]

And itsa "K" car too boot, I may have a headlight around here for you.
What year and model is it? I'll go look see. S.