r_d wrote:
What about aftermarket block heaters all the type that replace the
dipstick? Don't tell me google is my friend. I want you to do the work for
me. :-)

For what engine? All of the international diesels come with the heater
installed from the factory (05 and newer ford trucks do not come with the
cord but they can be had from International or eBay). I would imagine the
GM and Cummins engines also come equip. If you are sure yours doesn't then
you can get one that will install into one of the freeze plug holes. Just
pick a side and install it into the center hole.

The powerstroke engines, with a block heater equiped are usually on
the passenger side, located right above the starter motor. Not hard to
install, in fact quite easily. You can get them through about any auto
supply for about $30.00 +/-. Only pain is you have tto drain the
engine coolant to install it in the frost plug hole, that is, after
you chisel the old one out. (again, not hard to do)


I am not a fan of the
dipstick heaters because they have been known to coke the oil that is in
contact with the heater.

agreed. Those things are junk. should be outlawed! they don't do a
good job, they have beknownst to cook the oil just around the dipstick
heater, and cake up a bunch of carbon to the point where you cant even
pull the dipstick out of the tube. Katie, bar the door!


You can also install one of the heaters that
install onto one of the coolant lines. They apparently work well and also
circulate the warm coolant through out the engine.

bad problem I've seenwith those, it that it will heat the engine good,
that is, until the theromostat opens then you end up circulating the
water through the radiator, and lose a bunch of heat into the air


Another option is to use
a heating pad that glues to the bottom of the oil pan (and battery if you
like). They also work fine but can also coke the oil.

agreed. you are heating the engine oil, to thin it down so it will
crank better, but you're really not directing the heat to the block
where it counts more.


There are tons of
options but I prefer the ones that install into the coolant passage. These
also work fine for gasoline engines, tractor engines and so on. All you
need is the size of the freeze plug to get the correct size heater.

good luck,
mark

Good thoughts, Mark. I'm glad you brought those items up