Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG
I still want more, though. I'm thinking next year's first mod will be installing a 1000w coolant heater. The car is very cold-blooded and it sure runs rich when cold. (I know I should also check the thermostat, but I don't think it's faulty - the car always reaches a consistent, stable operating temp; it just seems to get there really, really slowly. Even with a ~90% grille block. )
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I highly recommend adding a coolant heater and perhaps a stick on Katz heater on the oil pan as I have done to my TDI. Also, coolant and thermostats are wear items. The thermostat will fail open but may do it slowly over time so that you don’t really notice. If you are going to open the hoses to add a tank heater, do a good coolant flush and change the thermostat while you are in there.
The tank heater will get some heat into the head but the oil pan heater will put heat into the whole engine compartment in 20 minutes. Put something on the windshield that is very visible when you plug in so you don’t forget as you back out of the garage. Don’t ask me how I know.
It takes me 30 minutes of driving or longer to start getting good mpg numbers.