Block heater

Here is the Phillips/Temro application/installation and usage guide for all sorts of engine block heaters, and many other cold weather products the folks might find useful here. Page 125 of the guide, and I quote:

"Do Not run your engine while the heater is plugged in. This will create an air bubble around the element which will then cause the element to burn out prematurely."

They should know.

 

From the Kat’s Heaters 2014 application guide

 

From research , it says that heater element will get coolant up to temp after 4 hours. Anything after 4 hours and coolant temp will stay the same.

 

Electronic engines are able to substantially change the injection timing to help a cold engine fire off. I would imagine the higher injection pressures and the resultant better atomization of the fuel doesn't hurt, either.

Running synthetic and/or synthetic blend oil is another big help, it really improves cranking speed.

 

Educated (thanks!), but unconvinced. Written by engineers, or product liability lawyers? (I've been involved in new product development). I agree that plugging in an uninstalled element is dumb, but I'm not buying the failure when installed in a properly filled, running, system.

I will certainly consider the information, but I doubt I'll change my personal practice.

 

Myself I'd like to know how it could be exposed to air or a void in the coolant? Its fully submerged in coolant in the engine. Only way I could see it being exposed to air is if the coolant leaked out from a cold leak. At that point you've got bigger problems if you're running the engine.

 

One thing that I am curious about is why the coolant and not the oil is heated. Seems like if you had warm oil, engine would be able to kick right over.

 

Heat the coolant and it will flow, due to convection, and warm the entire block including the combustion chambers. Warm combustion chambers is going to make starting easier. Heating the oil will give you warm oil and will warm the engine, but not to the same degree. In very cold climates it is common to add a heater (typically a pan heater) to heat the oil.

 

When I was In the air force in north dakota the auto parts stores sold.
Plug In dipstick oil heaters (replace you oil dipstick) block heaters (cut your lower radiator hose to install)
Battery blankets (heating pad under your battery) under dash heater with timer (the size of a car stereo)

Go out on the morning -20° and the car was nice and warn