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
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.
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:
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.
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.