An Engine Block Heater in San Jose

[Duffman]

I disagree about the oil vs coolant. The head will come up to temperature fast because that is where the fire is. Cold oil is more viscous so there is definitely more drag when cold while fuel injection has really solved the cold running problems wrt fuel atomization.

I have seen your other threads and know how handy you are, a stick on pan heater would be a 20-30 min job for you even with pan prep.

[jonr]

If I had to pick the most gain for the least electricity, it would be to heat the fuel lines and injectors. Fuel injection hasn't changed the fact that cold fuel on a cold engine doesn't want to vaporize fast enough.

I believe modern O2 sensors need only 30 seconds to warm up and start working. I wonder if leaving the key on for 30 seconds before starting would help with this?

Not sure if the engine computer, reading the engine coolant temp (ECT) will cooperate with fuel preheating.

Beside FE, there are major pollution issues on a cold start.

[an0nymous]

I have always liked the idea of an oil pre-ignition pressurizer for longevity purposes. It makes sense to me to have a system that first heats the oil to some preset temperature and which then activates a pre-luber to charge the system and reduce wear at startup.
Anyone know of such a system? I could put it on a timer.. I leave at the same time every morning... hmmm

Actually the preluber might be good for eoc as well...

[Duffman]

An oil accumulator would fit the bill. Companies like Jegs and summit carry them.

There are actual pre-lubing systems as well but they are probably too big for a car.

[aerohead]

If the I.C. engine survives long enough,we may see engine block heaters,transmission heaters,and differential heaters,all with thermal insulation wraps, extending well into the spring driving season.For all latitudes.

[wagonman76]

I wonder how long it takes the engine to heat up the O2 sensor to operating temp? Even though youre starting with a warmer engine, it still wont kick out of warmup mode until the O2 sensor is up to operating temp, and warmup mode is where a lot of loss is. No TCC, default fuel maps. Ive never tried a block heater.

[jonr]

30 seconds if it has a heater in it. Otherwise much longer.

[wagonman76]

Thats cool. Mine generally takes about 2 minutes.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

MetroMPG, where in the heck did you install a block heater on a Metro? I have 3 different types of block heaters, but I see no way of installing them on this little block.

I have both the OEM style, which bolts on to the back of the block beneath the intake manifold (a nightmare to install), and a tank style heater spliced into the heater core return line. I located the tank on the firewall behind the transaxle.

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

I seen one of those "Dipstick heaters" before, but I dunno about that.

They're generally pretty useless - low wattage & not powerful enough.

[Who]

They say they don't even have a part number for it.