Engine Preheaters

[Shox Dr]

Looking at buying an engine preheater. (much cheaper at this time of the yr)

By the look of things they break down into 2 different categories:

External Pumped and Internal (in block) Heating element.

I would have thought the External Pumped type would be the better of the two, as the pump circulates the heated coolant around the whole of the block rather than relying on thermal circulation.

Im I correct? And if so what's the ones to look out for (best/worst)

 

[rkde]

I generally use the webasto fuel burning heaters, they just need a separate fuel pump.

 

[rory1]

As above, I've used vehicles fitted with webasto's down to -35C they generally gave no trouble although its quite a bit of work to fit the whole system. Would take around half an hour to warm a cummins V6 from -35 before it was at a nice temperature for starting.

Some of the better "plumbed in" vehicles had extra coolant pipe work brazed through the bottom of the sump to warm the oil before starting.

Rory

 

[madkayaker]

All the water cooled standby engine at work have external coolant heaters. peregrine seam common type. Work very well one engine is in a shipping container with wind and snow blowing through the air duct n winter and it will still take full load in 15sec and maintains about 40oC coolant temp. Only downside is needs mains. They do waterproof units for vehicles I fitted one to Landy I had and just filled the connection box with jointing resin

 

[Shox Dr]

Engine Heater!

I don't want a cab heater! If I did then it would be an Eberspacher D5 Airtronic, I've already got the Weekly timer for one.

But then if you fit an ENGINE HEATER you get a hot engine and a hot cab heater, better MPG and less wear on the engine





*keeps the frost and snow off the roof and windows

 

[rory1]

The webasto's were Engine heaters, warming the coolant and circulating it.

 

[Shox Dr]

The webasto's were Engine heaters, warming the coolant and circulating it.

Sorry only read the first few lines. There are adhesives heated mat you glue to the sump

 

[Fergus]

Sorry only read the first few lines. There are adhesives heated mat you glue to the sump

http://www.wolverineheater.com/

I think these are the ones you mean. I used one on a car in the past, best advice is buy the biggest one that you can get fitted to a flat surface on the sump.

I had one of the smallest due to lack of mounting areas and the difference in start up was noticable, water temp would normally be up to normal in half the driving time.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Way back in the 60s and 70s, I'm sure the firm was called Bray or something similar, they made electric element heaters, On some of the bigger cars they could be fitted into the engine block, They also made a model that fitted into the bottom hose byjust cutting a length out and fitting the unit with 2 hose clips.

 

[Robotstar5]

Kenlowe have been going for years so they must be doing something right.

 

[normspanners]

Galaxies have a heater in the back you could possibly modify one of those to prewarm the engine.

 

[gordon stephenson]

My best friend Google found this. http://www.historyworld.co.uk/adver...sort=0&l1=transport&l2=Car+Service,+Parts+etc

 

[monkeymark]

Way back in the 60s and 70s, I'm sure the firm was called Bray or something similar, they made electric element heaters, On some of the bigger cars they could be fitted into the engine block, They also made a model that fitted into the bottom hose byjust cutting a length out and fitting the unit with 2 hose clips.

I may be interested in something like that if i can find one.

It doesnt get partciculary bad where i am, but my commute is only short so in the winter i either let it warm up, which takes as long as my commute if not longer, or drive with a cold engine, so in the winter its not often it reaches operating temp which cant be doing it any good surely.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Don't know if anybody still makes the "Bray" heater but they were a great simple idea and only took minutes to fit.

 

[Fergus]

There are a few on Ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Engine-Pre-Heater-240v-/190803451934?hash=item2c6cc5a01e

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USED-Engi...764?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35c93e2ca4

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Engine-Pr...ing-ATO-ONE-/350627775651?hash=item51a30b44a3

 

[julianthegypsy]

In Alberta, everybody had a block heater. Just a small immersion heater element that replaced one of the core plugs. Took a couple of minutes to fit. I had a timer on the power lead so it came on about four in the morning and gave it three hours to warm up before I went to work. Made a huge difference to starting.

 

[chevy2]

Mate of runs on his racecar a welded bung in the sump with small 110volt immersion heater type element and turns it on for about an hour or so on the morning of each raceday.