macgyver block heater idea?

[wagonman76]

Any instant (or even very fast) method of warming the engine block is probably going to crack, melt, or warp something.

Another method I have heard of is building a fire on the ground under the engine. But I would not try it.

I would rather take a cord to my car than a pot of boiling water anyday.

I thought someone in here mentioned a block heater that patched into a radiator hose and circulated the coolant. Though to make it effective, I would think you would need some sort of a thermostat bypass.

[whokilledthejams]

Ages ago, my dad had a 1985 Plymouth Horizon, and he used a trouble light and a packing blanket (he used to be a trucker-- there's a whole stack of those things in my parents' garage), and that apparently worked relatively well.

Of course, you have to remember to un-tuck your engine in the morning. My dad failed to do that once, and considers himself very lucky to not have yanked the blanked into the belts, or started the car on fire.

[cfg83]

Hello -

How about an electrified dip-stick that could heat the engine oil directly? It would have to be the "right metal" to take it, but I think that would be a pretty safe way to heat the oil.

CarloSW2

[TestDrive]

Kats dipstick heater - Google Search

[cfg83]

TestDrive -

Originally Posted by TestDrive

Kats dipstick heater - Google Search

Thanks for the google. Me likey. Seems like you could use it for other things, like boiling the largest cup of tea in the world.

EDIT: Hrrrm, not convenient if I have to plug it in overnight :

http://www.warehouseautoparts.com/Sp...ick_heater.htm

Connect oil heater into any 120 volt outlet and operate on an all-night basis. It is important to begin operating oil heater when car engine is still warm. Check heater clearance from hood, before closing hood. Be sure no wires or cables come in contact with heater.

CarloSW2

[brucepick]

My thinking is, a block heater puts its heat right into the engine where you need it. Alternatively, the kind that installs into a heater hose would probably be a close second.

If you live in REALLY cold country, or if you live in kinda cold country and drive lots of short trips where the car stays cold for a high percentage of the drive time, one of the above would probably be a good idea. Service shops and parts stores in those areas are familiar with those heaters.

The other solutions, while clever and they help, lose a lot of their heat to the environment. So, not worth the effort.

The electric blanket might get around the heat loss issue if you put an insulating blanket over it to trap the heat. But if you actually LIVE in cold country, I doubt that you'd make plans to fool around that way on cold mornings. I live in Connecticut, and the last thing I want to do when it's 10 degrees out and I need to get to work, is fool around with the car. Get in, turn the key, and go. Fastest way to warm up is to drive it.

You do get better mpg out of a cold car by EOC: engine off coasting. It takes longer to warm up that way, but overall mpg is higher over any given distance, measuring from a dead cold start.

[hypermiler01]

Originally Posted by modmonster

pouring boiling water is instant

No, it certainly is not instant. It takes a long time for the metal to absorb the heat from the water. You would have to stand there pouring boiling water for at least 20 or 30 minutes, and it would take many gallons.