Oil Pan Heater Mod

sweater914 · 10-01-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coma09

Having lived where it gets -40 C (northern BC)

In-line heater that goes in your heater hose (leave vehicle heater in warm position) worked best. It cycles warm water throughout the entire block and heater core. Vehicle blew warm air right away.

Battery heater, so the battery would work.

Otherwise you had a dead battery trying to turn the crank through a pan of molasses.

Nice to have was an interior heater. Vehicle was warm inside - but more so, the windows never needed scraping.

Heated garage would have worked too, but going to work, there were car plugs available too, so you could start your vehicle for the ride home.

Some kind of block/oil/circulating/whatever engine heater and a battery blanket were standard fare.

I've heard about coolant heaters but have never seen or installed one. I do know for a short time at the Minot AFB that they were banned due to engine fires when my parents were stationed there. The main culprit was poor installations and the stupid wattage ratings of the heaters. I'm sure improvements have been made over the years. With proper maintenance I'm sure coolant heaters will work for many years without issue.

VTDave · 10-02-2009, 08:07 AM

Nice write-up. How many amps is the circuit that you're plugging the block heater and oil pan heater into? Looks like it'll be a substantial current draw. I'm thinking of doing the same thing (already have a block heater). Do you use a timer?

sweater914 · 10-02-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTDave

Nice write-up. How many amps is the circuit that you're plugging the block heater and oil pan heater into? Looks like it'll be a substantial current draw. I'm thinking of doing the same thing (already have a block heater). Do you use a timer?

The oil pan heater only draws 1.1 amps according to the packaging, the block heater might be a little more but nothing that's going to overdraw from a standard 15 amp wall outlet. I don't use a timer, I could save a little money, I don't really want to add another appliance to the line.

Like is described in my review IF I had to do it over again for the 4 banger I'd purchase the smaller pad even though it doesn't provide the same output.

SOSHeloPilot · 10-07-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HBMurphy

Great post but that shit makes me realize how much So Cal has pussified me. I remember growing up in an area that could use these and driving to school peering out a 3" dia sight in my windshield where I placed my hand to try to defrost my windshild while my car was 'warming up'. I sure don't miss those days!

I do understand that some of the places you are from are beautiful - Just a bit collldddd! Come on global warming!

.

LOL ... Ditto

I use to travel to and work in Canada & Finland (both cold). ...

I can remember -44 C regular temp. (without windchill).

Now, also living the "pussified life" in sunny Atlanta.

I have to admit that So. Calif. (ie, Laguna Niguel) is even a little better.

SOS

.

SubFrozen · 11-14-2009, 10:39 PM

This beats how we'd warm the oil in Alaska. either a space heater, or, we'd start a small fire under the oil pan and freeze while making sure it didn't spread. ;-)

I recall the days of -50f in Alaska. So freakin' cold. These things come in very handy. I recommend doing it for anyone who has anything below freezing. It'll take a lot of wear and tear off your engine.

Rhino8541 · 11-15-2009, 08:09 AM

Anyone done this on a V6? I'm thinkin about doing it. I don't see the temperature's you guys do, but average lows creep toward single digits certain months of the year, think it's worth it?

sweater914 · 11-15-2009, 10:25 AM

Definitely worth the hassle. Take some measurements of your V6 oil pan and purchase one of the heaters that will fit your size constraints. Shallow curves on the pan are OK but flat is the absolute best. Overnight lows in ND right now are low 30's, my wife has been plugging in the Honda Civic (same mod) for the last week. In combination with an engine block heater, the coolant temperature comes off the peg in the first 1/4 mile, with usable heat for the windshield defroster.

Even better make a template of the pan heater from a piece of paper and see how well it fits with the different shapes available.

Rhino8541 · 11-15-2009, 01:20 PM

Thanks, I'll be sure to post up the V6 version for people if I do this.

11-15-2009, 01:20 PM	#28
Rhino8541 Kinky Joined: Nov 2009, #25638 Location: SC/NY Posts: 46 07 Tacoma TRD Sport 2007 Access Cab Automatic 4.0L V6 Too long to list right now.	Thanks, I'll be sure to post up the V6 version for people if I do this. __________________ My Tacoma Build

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10-02-2009, 08:07 AM	#22
VTDave Member Joined: Oct 2008, #9658 Location: Vermont, USA Posts: 62 05 Access Cab 4x4 Base 2005 Access Cab Manual 4cyl	Nice write-up. How many amps is the circuit that you're plugging the block heater and oil pan heater into? Looks like it'll be a substantial current draw. I'm thinking of doing the same thing (already have a block heater). Do you use a timer?

11-14-2009, 10:39 PM	#25
SubFrozen Member Joined: Oct 2009, #24632 Gender: Male Posts: 72	This beats how we'd warm the oil in Alaska. either a space heater, or, we'd start a small fire under the oil pan and freeze while making sure it didn't spread. ;-) I recall the days of -50f in Alaska. So freakin' cold. These things come in very handy. I recommend doing it for anyone who has anything below freezing. It'll take a lot of wear and tear off your engine.

11-15-2009, 08:09 AM	#26
Rhino8541 Kinky Joined: Nov 2009, #25638 Location: SC/NY Posts: 46 07 Tacoma TRD Sport 2007 Access Cab Automatic 4.0L V6 Too long to list right now.	Anyone done this on a V6? I'm thinkin about doing it. I don't see the temperature's you guys do, but average lows creep toward single digits certain months of the year, think it's worth it?

11-15-2009, 10:25 AM	#27
sweater914 Senior Member Joined: Jan 2009, #12597 Location: North Dakota Gender: Male Posts: 167 '09 I4 5spd Access Cab Timberland Mica SR5 2009 Access Cab Manual 2.7	Definitely worth the hassle. Take some measurements of your V6 oil pan and purchase one of the heaters that will fit your size constraints. Shallow curves on the pan are OK but flat is the absolute best. Overnight lows in ND right now are low 30's, my wife has been plugging in the Honda Civic (same mod) for the last week. In combination with an engine block heater, the coolant temperature comes off the peg in the first 1/4 mile, with usable heat for the windshield defroster. Even better make a template of the pan heater from a piece of paper and see how well it fits with the different shapes available.