Block Heater Questions

[Bernardchan96]

Hi i currently own a 05 v8 and i live in canada so sometimes it gets down to -20*--30* Celsius. I was wondering if anyone had ever used a silicone heater pad/magnetic block heaters and attached it to the oil pan as a block heater, opposed to a traditional block heater.

 

[UrbanRunner651]

I used to run a magnetic block on the pan of my last two vehicles that seemed to work well. The magnet was strong enough that you could leave it on while you drive around but if you hit it on something it would likely be gone for good.
I haven't bothered with one on my 4runner and have had it start fine in -30F a couple years back in northern MN.

 

[xyzzy]

When I lived in Fairbanks, AK, we used an oil pan heater attached with silicon to the oil pan, one or two engine block heaters, and a heated battery pad. Many used a circulating coolant heater in place of engine block heaters.

Back then we would see ~2 weeks in a row where the temp never got above -30.

I wouldn't substitute an oil pan heater for an engine block heater - the engine block heater warms the coolant and the oil pan heater warms the oil.

Just another week until Winter solstice

 

[LandCruiser]

I just use a block heater to have a warm truck when it's ass biting cold.

Not really an issue anymore.

 

[xyzzy]

I mean no disrespect here, but if you are in California, you have no real concept of what COLD is, like the OP is referencing.

 

[LandCruiser]

I mean no disrespect here, but if you are in California, you have no real concept of what COLD is, like the OP is referencing.

Just moved there from CO and WY.

 

[4slight]

The oil pan heater will help with initial oil flow. For effectiveness the order for car engines was heavy duty circulating pumps, block/freeze plug, lower radiator hose, heater hose, oil pan then the battery heater is an add on.

 

[MBZ300CD]

I mean no disrespect here, but if you are in California, you have no real concept of what COLD is, like the OP is referencing.

I lived in Mammoth Lakes, California at 8,000 ft for 11 years. During the winter I used my block heater quite a lot. My diesel would not start without it. But, we rarely reached -15^ F, 5^ or 10^ pretty often.

 

[xyzzy]

I lived in Mammoth Lakes, California at 8,000 ft for 11 years. During the winter I used my block heater quite a lot. My diesel would not start without it. But, we rarely reached -15^ F, 5^ or 10^ pretty often.

My apologies, in looking back at my post, it was un-called for and could be considered asinine. I am usually a better person than that, sorry.