Engine Block Heaters?

[exitwound]

I've done some searching on the multiple 944 forums but can't seem to find a definitive answer regarding block heaters for the 944. Can you get a block heater for a 944? I know that you can't use the magnetic heaters due to the aluminum oil pan, the dipstick heaters don't work efficiently...

I have a really hard time starting my car when it's less than 30F out. Battery has charge, starter turns too slowly though because the oil is so cold. My ISV isn't working yet so keeping it running is hard as well.

I'm trying to find something that would heat up the oil, even just a little bit, before I start the car. Many of the links I've found on the Rennlist forums point to products that don't see to work though on the 944. So..what's out there? Anything?

[Lawrence Coppari]

You could buy a magnetic one, then JB Weld it to the block or oil pan. Just a thought....

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

there may be a dipstick heater, and an inline radiator hose heater.

[SolReaver]

You might have to roll your own or adapt something off the shelf. The block heaters that are in the coolant system are pretty good. Not sure if I like gluing something to the pan. You basically need a low power heating element like gutter de icers or one of those cup warmers in contact with a major part of the engine. I have used bird bath heaters to good effect on other vehicles. (don't laugh, it worked) you just have to figure out where to put it and how to get it there.

Yea, the dipstick heaters...not so good.

[HondaDustR]

An old article in Porsche Panorama (old as in 356 old) suggested just putting an incandescent work light inside the engine compartment and closing the lid. A 100W bulb would probably do it pretty well, maybe up against the head over the exhaust headers.

[Lawrence Coppari]

Another way would be to JB Weld a thin steel plate to the pan, then the magnetic heater would cling to the plate.

[exitwound]

Originally Posted by HondaDustR

An old article in Porsche Panorama (old as in 356 old) suggested just putting an incandescent work light inside the engine compartment and closing the lid. A 100W bulb would probably do it pretty well, maybe up against the head over the exhaust headers.

Somebody on Rennlist tried this, said it didn't make enough of a difference, just heated up the headers so they weren't frostbite to the touch.

[944 Ecology]

Use Mobil 1, one of the colder grades for the winter. It was originally designed for the Alaskan Oil Pipeline, for the diesel equipment to start at -40 degrees.

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by exitwound

Somebody on Rennlist tried this, said it didn't make enough of a difference, just heated up the headers so they weren't frostbite to the touch.

Agree with you I try it doesn't work, but those here will they come in 1400w &2000w some as a built in timer .

[jpk]

Although my Porsche gets the garage and has no problems starting in the cold, my truck sits outsite, sometimes for a couple of weeks at a time in some pretty cold Michigan weather. I've always used semi-synth or full synthetic oil, but the best thing I ever did to ensure it will start is to install an automatic battery charger (battery tender type of thing) which ensures the battery is at 100% when trying to start a cold engine. I wired it up so the plug dangles out the grill, and every time I park it, i simply plug it in. The added benefit is that I'm going on 9 years with the same battery.
btw- even though it sits in the garage, the Porsche gets a battery maintainer as well.

[exitwound]

I have a battery charger. I don't think that the cold battery is the cause of the rough start. I don't think the starter is having problem turning, or receiving the full 12A from the battery. I've had the battery charger on it connected to house power and it still doesn't want to turn over quickly enough. I think it's due to the cold oil. It's a slow crank as if the oil is thick. Once started, it continues to run just fine. I believe there's 10W40 in there now if my memory serves me correctly. I have a rear main seal leak so I don't want to change the oil just yet to synthetic. Perhaps when the weather is warmer and I can do a proper seal fix I'll change it all. For now, I just would like the car to turn over more easily. And I'd like to avoid attaching anything permanent to the oil pan if possible hehe

[Cocacolakidd]

Try a small electric heater and place it under the motor on floor. Turn it on a couple of hours before starting and the motor and under hood will be toasty.

[exitwound]

I thought of that too I don't have a garage and that might be a little dangerous concerning a fire, wouldn't it? Get that heat under the hoses, or on a plastic part. Could spell danger.

[matthewb]

I would guess you have a weak starter or an electrical connection issue if you are sure that your battery is good. These cars really should not have any trouble starting in 30 degrees.

[legion]

Originally Posted by 944 Ecology

Use Mobil 1, one of the colder grades for the winter. It was originally designed for the Alaskan Oil Pipeline, for the diesel equipment to start at -40 degrees.

Yep, you need to run thinner oil in the winter.

If you run 10W50 in the summer, you should run 0W40 or 0W30 in the winter.

[exitwound]

I should change the oil soon. I got the new engine at the Hershey Swap meet in April. Don't think we changed the oil in it yet. Car only put on like 200 miles since then. Can't afford to drive it much Maybe I'll put in some thinner oil in it.

[AKCJ]

I can tell you that block heaters (frost plug/freeze plug) work very well. That's basically the standard around here. That being said I don't remember off hand what the freeze plugs look like on our cars - location, size, etc. I'm not going out at 25 below zero to look but someone else may know. If the freeze plug is accessable and you can get the right size, they're pretty easy to install (or cheap to pay someone with a warm garage to install).

Cheap, easy to install, works well - what's not to like?

Another somewhat standard item here is an oil pan heater. They're available at all the auto suppliers around here (even most of the grocery stores here have them). It's just an electric silicone heating pad available in different sizes - dimensions & wattage. You can see examples at padheaters dot com.

[exitwound]

Peel and stick eh? Interesting.

I dunno what the plug on the 944 block looks like. If it was obvious, i'd think more 944s would have block heaters on these forums. No one seems to have one though.

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by AKCJ

I can tell you that block heaters (frost plug/freeze plug) work very well. That's basically the standard around here. That being said I don't remember off hand what the freeze plugs look like on our cars - location, size, etc. I'm not going out at 25 below zero to look but someone else may know. If the freeze plug is accessable and you can get the right size, they're pretty easy to install (or cheap to pay someone with a warm garage to install).

Cheap, easy to install, works well - what's not to like?

Another somewhat standard item here is an oil pan heater. They're available at all the auto suppliers around here (even most of the grocery stores here have them). It's just an electric silicone heating pad available in different sizes - dimensions & wattage. You can see examples at padheaters dot com.

PAD HEATERS

[exitwound]

You speaking from experience? Do they work?