block warmers

[whc03grady]

What do we think of block warmers? I'm talking the magnet kind that you plug in and slap on.

[Hippie]

I got one at a farm supply store for like $30. Put a long handle on it with a couple zip ties so I can just fetch it off there without crawling under.
I use it for both the truck and the Bus....whichever I'll be driving tomorrow. It's 300 watts (a little black box type) and goes right on the oil pan or sump cover to keep the oil warm. You'll like it

[whc03grady]

Thanks.
It got down to about -3F for a HIGH temperature here last week and Gertie just wouldn't start. It'll probably get that cold again.

[Hippie]

That is flipping cold for November. Youch. A block warmer should really be a help unless you switch to like 0W-30 or 5W-40 for winter.
But you get interior heat quicker even with an air-cooled when the oil is a civilized temperature to start out.
Do you have heated seat covers? Wow they are nice...almost instant heat directly to the body. Got the idea from Randy in Maine.

[bajaman72]

I always thought the battery was what needed to stay warm during the winter months. I remember pulling the battery out every night of my 72 beetle. If I left it out.. it would freeze (the acid crap inside would be rock solid)

[whc03grady]

I always thought the battery was what needed to stay warm during the winter months.

Embarassingly, I still have 20-W50 in it from Summer. So at -3F, I imagine the oil was pretty thick.

[Hippie]

Well it helps to pull the battery inside, too, but if you keep the oil thin it is usually enough. I put in 10W-40 in November until March or April.

If your battery electrolyte freezes it might mean it isn't sufficiently charged. When fully charged, the elecrotlyte becomes more acidic and has a much lower freezing point.