Block heater make sense?

[Stackedape]

Originally Posted by ProHonda

IMOP it would HELP, but once a week run for 40 minutes or so would be WAY better in the long run..................

Your short trips to work will kill the RL for sure in the long run.

ProHonda, I know this may cause a lot of off topic discussion but I'll point you
in the direction of Mobil 0w-20 Synthetic. Do your research - same thing as 5w-20 but just warms up quicker... Ideal for someone like yourself doing short trips all the time. It WILL save your Honda.

[Ridge Man]

Link to article of interest Re: Block Heaters.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/071219.htm

[dk miller]

Mr Kerr makes some excellent points. His advice about getting under way quickly and warming the engine by gentle driving is especially right on. This is the reason that remote starting systems have never interested me.
I have lived in Minnesota and North Dakota most of my life and have alway used some type of engine heater when I must park outdoors in winter. I've used block heaters, "tank" heaters, and magnetic pan heaters. With earlier technology vehicles there have been many times these devices have made the difference between start or no start. I believe the greatest benefit of these devices with current vehicles is the shorter motor warm up time.
The best way to keep my tush comfy is with proper clothing.

[shovelhd]

You should try the seat heater

[UOVB]

Originally Posted by csimo

A block heater is not going to help at all in your situation.

One of the problems with your short trips is oil contamination due to higher blowby and condensation.

A block heater will warm the oil. It does not heat the entire block, and it doesn't keep the oil hot enough to burn off the moisture in the oil. If it got the oil that hot it would coke the oil at the hot spot point of contact (this is a known issue with the old dipstick heaters due to their small surface area).

You need to have the oil at normal operating temp for at least 30 minutes twice per month. This will help a lot.

Yup, but hey, when you un-plug the heater cord and it's frozen so solid it's like lifting a long stick... you realize it's not about the moisture, it's about the fact that the engine only takes 10-20 seconds to move from a grinding sound to a smooth hum. Without a block heater at -27 C, I cringe listening to the engine labour to sounding smooth. So.... wear and tear is reduced from heating the oil, the engine can actually turn over, and yes.... run it for a good long while to burn the moisture out of the oil. GO LEAFS.

[csimo]

Originally Posted by UOVB

Yup, but hey, when you un-plug the heater cord and it's frozen so solid it's like lifting a long stick... you realize it's not about the moisture, it's about the fact that the engine only takes 10-20 seconds to move from a grinding sound to a smooth hum. Without a block heater at -27 C, I cringe listening to the engine labour to sounding smooth. So.... wear and tear is reduced from heating the oil, the engine can actually turn over, and yes.... run it for a good long while to burn the moisture out of the oil. GO LEAFS.

I guess you didn't read what I was responding to. It has NOTHING to do with -27 C cold, or a hard to start engine.

Here's what the original poster was saying and what I was responding to:

"I am not concerned about cabin temps heating up any faster as I can feel hot air coming out before I leave the sub-division, but my concern lies in keeping my engine "healthy" and possible increase in MPG?"

[UOVB]

Originally Posted by dk miller

The block heaters I have used, (both factory and aftermarket) mount in the "frost plug" opening in the engine block and heat the coolant. I know Joe, it's really a casting plug. They actually do improve cranking and starting in extreme low temperatures like minus 20F or lower. However the primary benefit to these devices is that they reduce the time needed for the engine management system to go into closed loop operation. Creature comfort aside, any reduction in warmup time should be beneficial to the motor.
Does he need one in Ohio? Probably not. Would it help his motor? Maybe.

oh, from my calc's that's about -5, -6, -7 C. When you hit -17 F (-26, -27 C) then you understand that metal on metal doesn't sound so good. So... warmer oil that lubricates is worth it. I agree with above... in cold, cold weather even an hour or two warming the oil is well worth it.

[UOVB]

Originally Posted by csimo

I guess you didn't read what I was responding to. It has NOTHING to do with -27 C cold, or a hard to start engine.

Here's what the original poster was saying and what I was responding to:

"I am not concerned about cabin temps heating up any faster as I can feel hot air coming out before I leave the sub-division, but my concern lies in keeping my engine "healthy" and possible increase in MPG?"

Valid point. Looking at it again, well, they don't need a block heater (unless a seat warmer is heating a "block"). Yup, if the cold makes the engine scream toture, it's not about comfort, it's about functioning.

[dk miller]

oh, from my calc's that's about -5, -6, -7 C. When you hit -17 F (-26, -27 C)

Don't ya just hate the fact that 0 degrees on the F and C scales are so far apart creating such confusion when we fail to read carefully. I guess you missed the "minus" part when I wrote minus 20F (-20 F if you prefer.) That equates to about 29 below zero Centigrade.
As a neat piece of trivia 40 below is the same temperature on both scales. And yes, we do occasionally have 40 below temperatures around here.

[RDJeff]

Try a silicone oil pan heater. We all have them up here. It heats the oil with only 60 or 75 watts, you get oil pressure immediately, and it reduces the wear on a cold engine. We also use them on the battery, and sometimes on the transmission pan.

We have terrible air circulation in the winter, so all the local authorities push us to "plug-in" when the temps are colder than +20F. This is supposed to reduce vehicle emissions due to the fact that a cold engine pollutes a lot more than a warmed engine. I like it because the engine is cranking out heat almost instantly, and you don't have to let it run for half an hour before you drive off!