Oil Pan Heater worth it?

[KrisZ]

OP is specifically asking if the oil pan heater will extend the engine life, not if it's going to hurt anything. In my opinion it will not make a lick of difference. I would simply use what the manufacturer recommend a, check the oil level regularly and go over other systems. It is a 200k beater and the engine is not the only thing that can put this vehicle out of commission.

 

[Kurtatron]

Ok. Thanks for the suggestions guys. Sounds to me like it’s not worth the trouble. I just get rattled by the groaning sounds of a cold engine. I guess I won’t worry about it on a beater car, but if it were a nicer new car, I might consider it. But if it were a nice car, would you guys think it might provide less wear on cold start? I mean, everyone says most wear occurs on start up. I understand a lot of that is the metal being out of operating temp dimensions, but doesn’t cold oil also influence it?

 

[MobilinHyundia]

Most engine weat happens at start up. So a block heater will help....common sense.