You need a webasto for when you can't get an electrical cord out to the car 
only sets you back aobut $1500 
i've been contemplating getting one of those... glad to hear that steve's diesel sells one
i may check out pricing on the unit.
Well, I know my rabbit won't start at -20F w/o being plugged in for a while (two 50watt oil pan heaters and a block heater) . But I have lucas oil stabiliser in it which is supposed to prevent dry starts by sticking to everything. I like thick oil for cruisin', if I had an oil cooler I wouldn't worry so much.
I read on this forum about putting a block heater in the oil pan which would let you plug it in for just a couple minutes before starting it. I think that might be to hot for the oil though, I think most block heaters are at least 400-600 watts.
You know heating the intake air isn't a bad idea, cummins engines have a heater in the intake instead of glow plugs and I've heard of them starting at -20F no problem. I've also heard that if you use starting fluid a on cummins you'll blow the intake manifold off. :shock:
IF you've got unlimited coin, the espar/webasto/wintermizer is the way to go. Used to run an old gas fired "HOTBOX" on my big truck, an old big cam 1 400 cummins. Much below 0c it needed help, only a 14.5/1 compression engine. THe hotbox would bring it up to show heat on the temp guage in about 15 minutes, and remember that engine is probably in the area of 3000 lbs. Had it hooked through the bunk heater too. Thermostat controlled the fan in the bunk, hotbox would heat the water and circulate it through the engine and the bunk at about 160 degrees. Had to put a bigger tank on it though, had a 5 gallon boat tank strapped down on the back deck.
Barring big bucks, everything listed by others is a big plus. In a pinch, a propane torch to warm the intake manifold, or even a big pail of hot water dumped over the engine might do the trick. Water can cause other problems though.........
Warm water, very cold engine, below freezing temps...hmmmm
VW POPSICKLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :twisted:
I have rigged a radiator hose heater into the by-pass hose a time or two, starts just fine (when there was compression in more than two cylinders)[Yes, three would do just.........fineish]
