Engine block heater?

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naphthoylindole

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Minneapolis, MN
I figured this fits here as well as any other place.

I don't want to spend $150 on the Subaru engine block heater if I don't need to, and I see several different types of heaters on Amazon. I'm wondering if any of these work very well:
Frost Plug heater
Dipstick heater
Circulating tank heater
Magnetic heater

I know none of them are probably as good as the Subaru heater specifically made for the car, but as long as it works at all I'm good. Which would you get?
 
If you can find a frost plug heater that's good quality, go that route. I found a solid brass one that does very well. I've got it on a timer too, so I just have to plug it in when I get home.
 
Let's say there is a freeze plug (honestly I think there is, from looking around the internet), where would it be?

And then let's say there isn't, what's the next best type of heater?
 
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Is your car parked inside or outside, and do you have to worry about theft of vandalism?

When I rode my Motorcycle to work and it was very cold, I put a hot plate under the engine and set a vacation light timer to turn it on a few hours before I left for work. It worked, but if someone (jirk) came by and put the hot plate on some wood, it would have started a fire.

I have also seen electric oil pan blankets, and heater tape used to keep engines warm. I do not know if an oil pan heater would keep the coolant in the engine from freezing.
 
It's outside for now, maybe inside later. But if I set a gold bar in my driveway I wouldn't be surprised if it stayed there for a month, I basically live in the middle of nowhere.
 
Webasto makes a fuel fired hydronic heater that would be my first choice. It has a small circulating pump. It not only warms the engine but the antifreeze, and it wires into the vehicles dash fan and controls it so you can pre-heat the cabin before getting in. Forget about ice on the windows, cold starts, cold seats, and cold steering wheel.
 
How about a torpedo heater aimed in the direction of the vehicle, but far enough away not to damage the paint or any plastic or rubber parts.

You would have the added benefit of being able to use it for other things.

It seams to me a battery charger or a good battery maintainer would be a good idea.
 
BTW the Webasto heater would be great, but they ain't cheap.

I put an Espar Air heating fuel fired system in the trunk of my 1985 Olds, and it ran me about 1,600 in parts about 13 years ago. I ran hot air channeling to the back deck and also exits under the front seats.

If I had it to do over again I would go with the Webasto hydronic because it fits under the hood, and would not use some trunk space, it warms the engine, and parts are easier to get.

Now days I have not priced the Webasto lately but I would expect something between $2K to $3K for the parts to do it yourself, and there are reps that do the install for a charge.
 
A 0W? grade synthetic and a good battery and/or a battery trickle charger . You'll find block heaters and the like suck 1500 watts of juice so if you use one much at all you'll see your electricty bill shoot through the roof .

If you don't like getting in a cold car then a remote starter is another option .
 
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Originally Posted By: nitehawk55
A 0W? grade synthetic and a good battery and/or a battery trickle charger . You'll find block heaters and the like suck 1500 watts of juice so if you use one much at all you'll see your electricty bill shoot through the roof .

If you don't like getting in a cold car then a remote starter is another option .


A remote starter is a waste of gas. Electricity is renewable. Gas is not.
 
Yeah, block heater on a timer for two hours or so is perfect. I have a command start though and generally let the car run for about 4 minutes before I drive it, when its utterly freezing cold, lest the transmission hate me for it.

Freeze plug can be tricky but is your best option. You can sometimes get away with pipe-splice heaters, they install in a rad hose, usually easy to find at places, or agricultural or tractor supply joints.
 
Originally Posted By: naphthoylindole
Originally Posted By: nitehawk55
A 0W? grade synthetic and a good battery and/or a battery trickle charger . You'll find block heaters and the like suck 1500 watts of juice so if you use one much at all you'll see your electricty bill shoot through the roof .

If you don't like getting in a cold car then a remote starter is another option .


A remote starter is a waste of gas. Electricity is renewable. Gas is not.


so are you trying to eliminate car warm up or assist in starting? regardless in a cold northern winter i would suggest letting it (Waste Gas) Run for at least 5 mins or so. it seems wicked hard on any engine to fire it up in the frigid winter and not let it sit and waste gas for a few mins, that to me is car neglect. I have a friend who did that to his car, he bought it new. everyday winter or summer he started it threw it in gear and would take off driving fast. even in the middle of winter. winters in southern indiana are not that terrible, usually in the teens, sometimes to 0f in the morning. he would still allow no warm up. long story short, the engine was completely wore out and burning 2 qts every 500 miles after only 80k miles. it had low compression in 2 cylinders. this car was serviced every 3k on the dot with pby 5w30 too.

a little warm up is essential to engine life. most all manufactures recommend at least 30 seconds regardless of temperature outside. for winters in your area id let my car run 10 mins. i dont care about the fuel dilution associated with long winter warmups, i change oil early in the winter too. remember the transmission needs a little time to get some heat to it as well.
 
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Originally Posted By: naphthoylindole
I figured this fits here as well as any other place.

I don't want to spend $150 on the Subaru engine block heater if I don't need to, and I see several different types of heaters on Amazon. I'm wondering if any of these work very well:
Frost Plug heater
Dipstick heater
Circulating tank heater
Magnetic heater

I know none of them are probably as good as the Subaru heater specifically made for the car, but as long as it works at all I'm good. Which would you get?


What is the heater for? Its not a diesel. Quality battery, synthetic motor oil and it will spin over even in MN.
 
Originally Posted By: naphthoylindole
Freeze plug presence confirmed.

Just sayin'
Is that in the block or head? If it's in the head it might be a cam plug. Maybe.........I'm not too keen on Subie's as they hardly ever break down around here.
 
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