|
|
|
|
|
#1
11-11-2008, 02:07 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Dipstick heaters verse hose heaters???
Has anybody had any luck with dipstick engine heaters? I have been warned on this forum to abancdon the idea of installing the block heater that came with it, and that a hose heater would be better. But I saw a dipstick heater hanging in the Napa parts store the other day, and it just made me wonder if they're worth a try. Any comments, please.
__________________
"Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do." Goethe *********************************** 1951 Chevy 3100 2003 Indian Chief Roadmaster 1983 GMC 1 ton Dually 1982 Chevy 1 ton Dually, service body (sold) '90 GMC Suburban 6.2 "SS Veg-Burban" (single tank WVO\diesel conversion) SOLD '81 300D ~ Mama's car...my job (now my car)(but still my job) SOLD '83 300sd ~ rescue car SOLD 2005 Ford Taurus (Mama's new car)(NOT my job!) 
|
|
#2
11-11-2008, 03:02 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
My only luck with those
dipstick heaters is BAD luck. They are not worth the $. After the third one burned out, I got a refund.
__________________
1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine) Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!
|
|
#3
11-11-2008, 03:06 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I've heard that cold oil doesn't circulate well enough and a dipstick heater can burn the oil around it if put into a cold engine. Apparently (again from what I've heard) they're not bad for keeping a warm engine warm...
Have you looked at a magnetic pan heater? Lots of folks use them on diesel tractors and whatnot...
__________________
Sadly Benz-less
|
|
#4
11-11-2008, 05:27 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
If you can suck all the oil out of the oil pan through the dipstick that means there isn't enough room around it to circulate oil and it will just burn whats around the stick.
Oil heaters make starting easier but block (coolant) heaters are better for the engine (less piston/valve wear and much easier starts).
|
|
#5
11-11-2008, 06:08 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Thanks, folks! That's what I was looking for. Hose heater, here I come.
__________________
"Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do." Goethe *********************************** 1951 Chevy 3100 2003 Indian Chief Roadmaster 1983 GMC 1 ton Dually 1982 Chevy 1 ton Dually, service body (sold) '90 GMC Suburban 6.2 "SS Veg-Burban" (single tank WVO\diesel conversion) SOLD '81 300D ~ Mama's car...my job (now my car)(but still my job) SOLD '83 300sd ~ rescue car SOLD 2005 Ford Taurus (Mama's new car)(NOT my job!)
|
|
#6
11-11-2008, 09:19 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
When I lived in the frozen north, I found dipstick heaters to be totally worthless. Hose heater worked great.
__________________
Palangi 2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz 2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser 2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg 2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE 0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE
|
|
#7
11-12-2008, 04:30 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Engine heaters, listed by effectiveness:
1. In-block water heater 2. Tank-style water heater (circulates water) 3. Hose-style water heater 4. Magnetic heater on side of block 5. Heated garage 6. Dipstick oil heater 7. Bonfire under engine (toss-up with #6) You want to heat the water as this warms the whole engine rather than just the pan. The closer the heater to the core of the engine the better.
|
|
#8
11-12-2008, 07:52 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
[QUOTE]6. Dipstick oil heater
7. Bonfire under engine (toss-up with #6) /QUOTE] I remember my dad pulling hot coals out of the wood stove to place under the oil pan to start the cars in January. I grew up in a solar/ wind powered home- in January, electric heaters were not an option.
__________________
1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven. 1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.
|
|
#9
11-12-2008, 09:42 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
May I ask whats wrong with the stock block heater? They do work very well, unless you live in an extremely cold place they should do the job.
Block heaters at least the way MB does it are also cheap and easy to install. Chances are your car already has one regardless, if the cord is there or not.
__________________
1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200
|
|
#10
11-12-2008, 10:59 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I've heard of kerosene lamps under the oil pan.
|
|
#11
11-12-2008, 11:33 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Once it regularly starts getting below 30F on a regular basis (we're almost there it seems, its about 33 out right now
 ) I will get out the o'l cord and plug in my beast at night.  I am in an apartment-house, utilities (including electricity) are included in the rent. That means I'll have one warm engine all winter! 
__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-  '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)
|
|
#12
11-12-2008, 11:52 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Wow you got a good deal. We only pay for water on the tenants in our condos. The ones in single family homes pay all utilities.
__________________
1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200
|
|
#13
11-13-2008, 01:04 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Current computer power consumption is probably about 450-500 watts 24/7....and I'm going to add another soon as soon as I get it built. LOL. I probably shouldn't push it too far though.....if I am using $200 of electricity a month they might not be happy..... My lower hose heater only uses about 380 watts or so....so like 30 cents a day or less if I leave it on overnight (from when I go to bed till when I leave for work...)
__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)
|
|
#14
11-13-2008, 06:28 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
A block heater is the best by far. I have always had my indie do it for me. They charge about an hour labor to do it. Its a ***** to do, but works excellently.
__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual. [SIGPIC]..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
|
|
#15
11-13-2008, 07:57 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I installed a lower hose heater a few years ago, I leave it on all night when its real cold, and it makes a pretty big difference in starting. Obviously a true block heater is better, but I'm not about to risk cracking the block getting that drain plug out.
__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)
|
 |
| Bookmarks |
|
|
Linear Mode
