Block Heaters

[TANGOJETTA]

I have one those 1000watt Zerostart coolant heater, it's best thing since slice bread. When I do my FE runs I make sure I plug it in. If I don't plug it wintertime I loose 15% in FE in my 33mile commute.

[MetroMPG]

Larry, FYI for comparison, here's what I wrote after I installed my EBH:

Plugged in for an hour and a half to 2 hours, the engine temperature reads 40-50 F above ambient temperature at start-up, according to the ScanGauge.

The other Metro owner using the inline hose heater said he only noted a 10 degree F increase (also SG equipped), despite the coolant boiling away vigorously in the hose. (edit: he didn't say what the wattage was or how long it was plugged in - but I'd guess an hour)

[diamondlarry]

I saw what looked like a 20 degree above ambient this morning. I also noticed that the radiator tank seemed a bit warm too. If anything, maybe the hose heater will allow for quicker warm-ups.
Edit: I may have to break down and have a frost-plug heater installed.

[GasSavers_James]

I bought an engine block heater several weeks ago. It has an element that fits inside the block...so I guess that would be considered a "frost plug"?
I haven't installed it. I think that it would be difficult to do myself, and I am short on cash, so have been procrastinating. Right now I will have to stick with the taped up front end to decrease warm up time. Can't wait to get it installed.

[MetroMPG]

FYI, did another check on EBH warm up this evening before going to visit friends:

@ 50 F ambient...

83 F - as seen on the SG1 - after 1 hr
90 F - as seen on the SG1 - after 1.5 hrs

[GasSavers_Randy]

When it gets cold I use a normal 1500 watt heater in the car. I plug it in about 45 minutes before I leave, so it gets nice and toasty.
Once I start it I set it to full heat recirculate. The car cools back down, but dumps all that heat into the engine. It seems to heat up a bit faster. Obviously less effective than a block heater, but there's no installation.

[red91sit]

Originally Posted by Randy

When it gets cold I use a normal 1500 watt heater in the car. I plug it in about 45 minutes before I leave, so it gets nice and toasty.
Once I start it I set it to full heat recirculate. The car cools back down, but dumps all that heat into the engine. It seems to heat up a bit faster. Obviously less effective than a block heater, but there's no installation.

On my car, i have a plug in with a timer on it for the block heater that turns on just before i wake up. Then about 15 minutes before i leave, i have a little space heater inside that car also on a timer. That kicks in WHAMO a nicely warmed up car with no excess engine wear or wasted fuel and actually less work on my car, (i don't have to run outside) just unplug the two cords and off i goo