Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Idea: Use engine exhaust to heat coolant for quicker warm ups?

ps2fixer · 03-09-2012, 03:40 AM

I have read about ideas of using the exhaust to heat the coolant with no good solution to clear out the coolant when up to temp. I have been thinking since a block heater helps when plugged into the wall, that maybe using some of the engine's work ability to help heat up the coolant faster might result in better average MPG for a given trip. Of course there are a ton of inefficencies which probably kill off this from being useable, but figured it never hurts to suggest an idea.

Bad setup:
200-500w (or maybe larger with a larger alternator?) block heater
inverter that can handle the constant 200-500w draw

Better setup:
Some sort of DC based block heater with no inverter losses.

What do you think? Winter vs Summer use?

03-09-2012, 03:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
ps2fixer Master EcoModder Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: MI, USA Posts: 571 92 Camry - '92 Toyota Camry LE Team Toyota 90 day: 26.81 mpg (US) 97 Corolla - '97 Toyota Corolla DX Team Toyota 90 day: 30.1 mpg (US) Red F250 - '95 Ford F250 XLT 90 day: 20.34 mpg (US) Matrix - '04 Toyota Matrix XR 90 day: 31.86 mpg (US) White Prius - '06 Toyota Prius Base 90 day: 48.54 mpg (US) Thanks: 8 Thanked 73 Times in 50 Posts	Idea: Use engine exhaust to heat coolant for quicker warm ups? I have read about ideas of using the exhaust to heat the coolant with no good solution to clear out the coolant when up to temp. I have been thinking since a block heater helps when plugged into the wall, that maybe using some of the engine's work ability to help heat up the coolant faster might result in better average MPG for a given trip. Of course there are a ton of inefficencies which probably kill off this from being useable, but figured it never hurts to suggest an idea. Bad setup: 200-500w (or maybe larger with a larger alternator?) block heater inverter that can handle the constant 200-500w draw Better setup: Some sort of DC based block heater with no inverter losses. What do you think? Winter vs Summer use? __________________ Prius Thread F250 Build Thread How to setup an Ecomodder MPG Image in your sig My ATV tech info site - https://atvmanual.com/?s=em Last edited by ps2fixer; 03-09-2012 at 07:58 PM..