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Engine block/Oil pan heater.

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by DanK83, Oct 11, 2020.

  1. Oct 11, 2020 at 6:18 PM
    #1
    DanK83

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    DanK83 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hello, everyone. I'm curious to know if any of you use a frost plug, oil pan heating pad, etc. I'd rather warm or heat the oil before worrying about the coolant getting up to temp. The frost plug appears to be it a tight space to get to. I'm also considering a silicone heating pad for use on oil pans and transmissions. Any recommendations? I know they're typically used on diesels but we get cold winters here in Maine and my truck is a '03 3.4. Thanks for any help.
     
    DanK83, Oct 11, 2020
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  2. Oct 12, 2020 at 3:19 AM
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    Wyoming09

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    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    Your truck is going to sit outside for weeks not being run ??

    I tried the oil pan heater maybe they have improved but removing before driving to me was a royal pain in the butt.

    I like the tank type heaters that go in the lower radiator hose myself they heat and circulate the coolant.

    Running power to the truck may as well get a battery tender as well.

    Keep the extension cord as short as possible and heavy enough for the load even the slight amount of warmth of the cord has it sinking in the snow and ice.
     
    Wyoming09, Oct 12, 2020
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    DanK83[OP] and Taco critter like this.
  3. Oct 12, 2020 at 9:23 PM
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    DanK83

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    DanK83 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The ones I've looked at stay adhered to the oil pan and are made of silicone. They have a 3M adhesive backing. You just unplug before driving. I have a timer so it could turn on 20 mins before I need to start it. I'm using a slightly thicker oil than 5w30
     
    DanK83, Oct 12, 2020
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  4. Oct 12, 2020 at 9:37 PM
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    DanK83

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    DanK83 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    DanK83, Oct 12, 2020
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  5. Oct 12, 2020 at 9:37 PM
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    DanK83

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    DanK83 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    DanK83, Oct 12, 2020
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  6. Oct 12, 2020 at 9:42 PM
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    0xDEADBEEF

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    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    My truck has both. But I didn't install them.

    I did put a block heater in my Nissan in 2012 and it's been flawless.
     
    0xDEADBEEF, Oct 12, 2020
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  7. Oct 13, 2020 at 1:35 AM
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    Wyoming09

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    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    Wyoming09, Oct 13, 2020
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  8. Oct 13, 2020 at 9:41 AM
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    jammer

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    jammer 2003 Toyota PreRunner 3.4L

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    jammer, Oct 13, 2020
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  9. Oct 13, 2020 at 9:54 AM
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    0xDEADBEEF

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    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    Attached Files:

    0xDEADBEEF, Oct 13, 2020
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  10. Oct 13, 2020 at 9:57 AM
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    0xDEADBEEF

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    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    They don't really get that hot, especially when its actually cold. Even if its not cold, they might get up to 200 or so, which is not hot for oil.
     
    0xDEADBEEF, Oct 13, 2020
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  11. Oct 13, 2020 at 10:03 AM
    #11
    jammer

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    jammer 2003 Toyota PreRunner 3.4L

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    Good information. Appreciate it.
     
    jammer, Oct 13, 2020
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  12. Oct 13, 2020 at 10:05 AM
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    austi012

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    austi012 Active Member

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    Minnesota resident here. I don't mess with those things. Just run synthetic oil and she should start if your battery has any chooch at all. Let it idle for 5 minutes and away you go.
     
    austi012, Oct 13, 2020
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  13. Oct 13, 2020 at 10:09 AM
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    Natetroknot

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    Natetroknot Experiencing TW at several WTFs per thread

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    I would sure think about condensation here everyone. Block heater in a coolant passage plus cold ambient temps, no biggie. Condensation evaporates in the coolant.

    Warm oil, cold ambient temps, what happens?
     
    Natetroknot, Oct 13, 2020
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  14. Oct 13, 2020 at 10:13 AM
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    0xDEADBEEF

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    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    Not sure what you're getting at.
     
    0xDEADBEEF, Oct 13, 2020
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  15. Oct 13, 2020 at 10:20 AM
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    Natetroknot

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    I would think having a warm puddle of oil sitting in your pan overnight in the dead cold would lead to an awful lot of condensation accumulating in oil passages
     
    Natetroknot, Oct 13, 2020
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  16. Oct 13, 2020 at 10:23 AM
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    0xDEADBEEF

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    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    Maybe a little, but it'll be condensing on surfaces that have oil on them, and then presumably you'll be driving it shortly anyway.

    I usually run mine on a timer that comes on about 4 am. By the time I get out of the neighborhood it's up to operating temp and I've got heat coming out the vents.
     
    0xDEADBEEF, Oct 13, 2020
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  17. Oct 13, 2020 at 10:25 AM
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    Natetroknot

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    Natetroknot Experiencing TW at several WTFs per thread

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    Yeah that's true I'm sure what little is there evaporates in no time

    Just a random thought I thought I'd throw out, carry on! :cheers:
     
    Natetroknot, Oct 13, 2020
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  18. Oct 13, 2020 at 11:43 AM
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    DanK83

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    DanK83 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    DanK83, Oct 13, 2020
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