Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Tele man
...to help keep engine oil "warm" consider the possibility of putting a 60-100W lamp under the engine oil pan...and turning the lamp on 1-2 hours before you plan to start the engine.
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100W is not enough to heat the engine in 2 hours, I fear.
A block heater (400-1000W) may be more effective than that, but you will have to take measures to prevent driving off when plugged in, and fire from sparks etc. from the lead. Are you willing to allow high voltage in an area that might contain explosive gas fumes?
I tried to make my Honda dealership source a block heater for my Insight, but they daren't burn their hands on it.
I did an experiment with a 1000W blow dryer, but even though the Insights engine bay is pretty much closed off it had too little effect (in 45 minutes of heating) to be worthwhile. Point is that it heated everything under the bonnet by a few degrees instead of just the engine a lot.
Even though I checked the engine on fumes before and during this and kept a close watch, I dare not repeat this.
(just ready typing this, the TV clipped Arthur Brown singing "Fire - I lead you to burn..." a fair warning
)
I now park my car so that it faces the sun on arrival back whenever possible, it helps a bit (says the in/out temp gauge in my air inlet) and it is free, no strings attached.
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2011 Honda Insight + HID, LEDs, tiny PV panel, extra brake pad return springs, neutral wheel alignment, 44/42 PSI (air), PHEV light (inop), tightened wheel nut.
lifetime FE over 0.2 Gigameter or 0.13 Megamile.
For confirmation go to people just like you.
For education go to people unlike yourself.