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General Information => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: The Mad Hatter on October 20, 2008, 08:34:19 am
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Well, first cold morning of the year here, and the VW was a little rough to start this morning. I'm pretty sure i have a glow plug (or two) out, but she started right up, ran rough for a few seconds, then was fine. I want to put a block heater on her just to make it a little easier. I have found a "universal" one that just sticks to the block with magnets and heats to 250C. My only question is where to locate the heater so it is effectful, and will there be any issues with oil being on the engine (i have a yet to be found oil leak). Thanks for the help!
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I've never used one of the magnetic ones.
I'm sure it's better than nothing but I would rather see ya use a actual block heater that's in the coolant.
If you cant use one of those I guess try the magnet one..
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most diesel engines have the block heater plug in port in the back of the block, you just find the port and plug the cord into it. you might not have it down there in the south because its so warm maybe they didn't have them 'standard issue', then it will just be a freeze plug. if you look around the back of the block you may find the 3-prong connector port of the block heater.
although you probably dont need it unless you have engine problems you don't want to deal with and you just want to make it through winter (i hear that). i don't use one anymore and it gets -20 celsius up here. cheers
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Not sure how cold it gets by you, but I bought a magnetic block heater as well. I may have a glow plug or 3 to replace, but I put mine on the oil pan. Easy to get to makes it easy on and off.
And rarely have a problem starting mine up.
Hope this helps.
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I would put it on the oil pan.
My only thought is, can you ruin your oil by heating it to 250? I can't seem to recall what normal operating temps are
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In really cold conditions, I have used magnetic heaters on the base of the oil pan in conjunction with a true block heater. Those heaters are about 3 inches by 4 inches in rectangular shape. It really seems to help loosen up that oil and I think some of the heat "migrates" up the rods to a certain extent. I found that it does help to get the oil moving and to aid with "lighting" the fire in the engine.
I also used these on Mk I fuel tanks when I was caught with #2 (old magnetic tanks) in the cold. Never torched my cars or anything!!
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I know the oil will cook before the block over heats or blows a HG. and it stttiiinkkks.
my block heater, in the center frost plug, heats the entire thing crom cam cover to oil pan to a cozy warm glow
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Well, thanks for the info guys! Lucky me, my car has NO block heater. Just freeze plugs. So, i guess i will invest in a magnetic one, and slap it on the oil pan in the mornings after i get up.
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One on the oil pan will help a lot. I have one on my BRM and it makes a big difference once it starts to get really cold (-40C). You can also get ones that glue to the oil pan.
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Get one for your transmission too while you are at it
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do people commonly use tran. heaters?
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I dont think so, sure couldnt hurt when its really cold out though.
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Don't think it gets cold enough here for that (15C at the worst). You guys think a 250 degree heater will cook the oil in the pan?
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Don't think it gets cold enough here for that (15C at the worst). You guys think a 250 degree heater will cook the oil in the pan?
i don't personally think you would... a company actually sells heaters that go directly into the oil and work just fine. they thread into the oil drain plug. the heat will rise naturally, and dissipate out of the oil pan and upwards using convection to heat the rest of the engine.
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i've used both and i have to say i was not impressed with the magnetic one. it didnt seem to help my car...though that could be because its tired or was tired
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I'd say go the freeze plug type, more work to install but......North Carolina....just saw that, all you'll need is a oil pan heater, a nice hot one like 100W.
I have a two stick on oil pan heaters on mine totaling 150W, plus a freeze plug type block heater. Definitely helps in the winter, I started it at -44F once and hopefully never again, I've heard of timing belts shattering and would like to avoid that. :shock: Good luck
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the block on my dads old k-car cracked when starting on a VERY cold morning in Timmins Ont. once. :shock: block heaters in that area are a necessity! :lol: timing belt changes for very cold regions like that are about 60'000km's less. so instead of 160'000km belt changes, you change it every 100'000km's. must be due to the weathering of the belt.
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I have used a lenght of heat tape wraped around the tranny to warm it up. :twisted:
The issue at the time turned out to be miss matched flywheel and pressure plate, not too thick oil. :roll:
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I've never personally taken an engine oil temperature reading on a VW diesel, but I remember on our sportsman race car, you could see upto 300+ on our oil temp gauge, thats with a fairly large air to oil cooler. So, personally, I would not be afraid of ruining the oil, or the pan for that matter.
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I was reminded this morning why I love my block heater.
It's not to cold here yet in the mid 30's is all but when I use the block heater there is heat the second I start the car :)
Nice stuff.