2000 Insight - TLC and ecomodding build

[Xist]

It is funny to think an oil pan heater would still help my fuel economy in our frigid forty-degree winters!

[Miller88]

Do the stick on heaters work with aluminum pans or cases?

Magnetic isn't an option for the Focus since it has an aluminum oil pan.

[Ecky]

They seem to be holding well, and they get hot. The Insight's pan isn't aluminum, it's actually a magnesium alloy to save weight (even lighter than aluminum!). A preliminary test showed that with my 3 heaters, after 2 minutes my coolant temperature rose from ~20F to ~85F, and both engine and transmission block were pleasantly warm to the touch.

[Ecky]

A few months back I had noticed a tiny amount of oil on my belly pan, and it seems to have gotten worse. While I was installing my heating pads I looked around, and discovered my timing chain tensioner's gasket has apparently failed.






The part numbers for gasket and filter are 14511PHM003 and 14515PHM004, which came to about $20 shipped from G1parts.




Also, I failed in acquiring NEXT oil, so I resorted to ordering Honda's Green Oil from a UK dealer. This oil is close to a 20 weight when warm, but much thinner than a 0w16 when cold, so going off of those two numbers, it's an ideal replacement for my engine. Cost was about $50 shipped from Cox motors, and it arrived in 2 days. I plan to do an early oil change after I fix my oil leak.

[skyking]

Originally Posted by Ecky

About 2 weeks ago, I ordered a 50w and 150w heating pad for the transmission and oil pan respectively. I'd have gotten bigger ones, but a 250w was twice as expensive, and the 500w was too big for the pan.

Kat's 24050 50 Watt 2"x 5" Universal Hot Pad Heater

Kat's 24150 150 Watt 4"x 5" Universal Hot Pad Heater

Permatex 81160 High-Temp Red RTV Silicone Gasket, 3 oz.

They come with a sticky surface, but the instructions recommend that gasket material be placed around the edge to seal out moisture and oil.






50w and 250w are probably about right, anyway. On the same outlet I also have a 400w block heater, 12v trickle charger, and the extension cord I pushed through the firewall, which I use for either grid charging or to preheat the cabin with an electric space heater. The space heater has a 750w setting, and when combined with trickle charger, block and pad heaters, total draw is ~1500w.

LOL, those pictures look familiar............

[Ecky]

You see nothing.

[skyking]

Those are not the droids I am looking for?

[Ecky]

Thought this was a pretty neat picture:

[Ecky]

Plotted coolant temperature over time:



It started 12 degrees above ambient because I needed to move the car first. Looks like after 2 hours it's severely diminishing returns, and between an hour and a half to two hours of heat before leaving seems to be the sweet spot.

It also seems that even turning it on for 20-30 minutes is probably worthwhile.

[Daox]

Nice! How did you go about testing this?