I thought about just getting the remote start for the engine but that only makes it more comfy for me, its still killing my motor with slushy oil. I can sit there in the cold for a few minutes but I want this engine to last!
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"How are the roads today?" she asks.
" Its winter in Alaska, thats how the roads are. "
I use one of these heating pads (different company - Wolverine) on my oil pan in both of my diesels (Excursion and VW). I also use the block heater for my Excursion as well. They make a HUGE difference on the colder mornings in how quickly the car warms up. It is very obvious on diesels as they are much noisier when cold. They really cut down on wear during cold startup, not as good as a pre-oiler, but they do help a lot.
Four years later, they are still attached to both my vehicles. Just rough up the oil pan with scotchbrite and they stick great. I actually have 2 on my Excursion, one I plug in to run all night and another that is on a timer that I have setup to turn on 2 hours before I start the truck. It has a LOT of oil and I found that it works best that way and they aren't expensive.
hey Taz, any info on the timer, is it a 12v or 120v? I would not mind just setting a timer and then forget about it. That way I don't have to remember to turn it on remotely at 5am. 2 hours seems to be about the magic number to pre-heat the oil. I wonder if I should use one on the tranny as well or maybe thats overkill.
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"How are the roads today?" she asks.
" Its winter in Alaska, thats how the roads are. "
I use one of these heating pads (different company - Wolverine) on my oil pan in both of my diesels (Excursion and VW). I also use the block heater for my Excursion as well. They make a HUGE difference on the colder mornings in how quickly the car warms up. It is very obvious on diesels as they are much noisier when cold. They really cut down on wear during cold startup, not as good as a pre-oiler, but they do help a lot.
Four years later, they are still attached to both my vehicles. Just rough up the oil pan with scotchbrite and they stick great. I actually have 2 on my Excursion, one I plug in to run all night and another that is on a timer that I have setup to turn on 2 hours before I start the truck. It has a LOT of oil and I found that it works best that way and they aren't expensive.
Good info TAZ. Thanks
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Knowledge is King. Fun is the Key
TitSilver 4X2 AT daily (just a little pimped) FJC and Black 4x4 not so base anymore (TRD) supercharged weekend warrior. Coach of the Old gangster troop - Still HORSEMAN PESTILENCE
I thought about just getting the remote start for the engine but that only makes it more comfy for me, its still killing my motor with slushy oil. I can sit there in the cold for a few minutes but I want this engine to last!
I use an outdoor HD timer that I plug a Thermo-Cube into and then the block heater gets plugged into the Thermo-Cube. That way, the timer comes on 3 hrs before I need to leave and then the Thermo-Cube only energizes the block heater when the temp is below the Therm-Cube temp.
Works great and only comes on when needed (if I plug it in).
The ones I have are 110V. Just go to Home Depot and buy and outdoor timer. It is the best way I've found so far. Even when it gets colder than -20F here, I've had no issues.
The FJ heats up the water pretty quickly according to my Scangauge II. The other day I went out and it said water temp was 20F. Within a minute it was up to 110F and getting warm air. Too bad the oil temp didn't warm up that quick. Diesels are so efficient that it takes them a real long time to warm up.
I can drive my VW 5 miles and at best get lukewarm air out of the vents. At least with the oilpan heater I know the motor isn't suffering like I am, well not too bad though, I have heated seats in the V Dub. Might need to get those for the FJ...
remote engine heater
Linear Mode
