Dipstick oil pan heater - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

yuke · #1 01-23-2013, 09:03 AM

I was wondering if a dipstick oil pan heater would work in my 85 (300 SD).
I already have a lower radiator hose heater but does not heat the block like I would like it to and was thinking maybe a dipstick heater of the oil would be better but when I pulled my dipstick out to measure it which was 22" and tried to put a rod that was about 1/4" diam. in to see how far till it would bottom out I could not get the rod in more then about 3" and it stopped.

I was puzzled because it looks like the dipstick tube is about 1/2"diam. down to the pan do not know why the 1/4" rod would not go down might check with a thinner wire later.
I ask this because the sites where they sell the dipstick heater say you need a 1/2" opening to get them in. Is anyone using a dipstick heater on a Benz if so how do they work?

BobK · #2 01-23-2013, 09:43 AM

Get a battery heater. Battery loses about half its power when it gets real cold.

Zacharias · #3 01-23-2013, 09:56 AM

First a question: why do you say the rad hose heater isn't heating to your liking?

Now my $0.02:

x2 on the battery heater. Nothing like warm battery to crank fast enough.

Dipstick heaters are a last resort. A better alternative is a magnetic heater like this:

Kat's 1153 Handi-Heat 200 Watt Magnetic Heater : Amazon.com : Automotive

I keep one in reserve, after my block heater died in the middle of a cold snap a few years back.

I have the heater handle taped to a golf club shaft, so I can manouever it into place without crawling under the car. Does an excellent job, not quite like the block heater but close enough.

vstech · #4 01-23-2013, 10:21 AM

likely, the 1/4" rod is incapable of making the bend into the tank, the dipstick blade is over 1/4" likely around 10 or 12mm wide, so 1/4" (6ish mm) should fit easily, but it would have to make the bend to do so.
you do NOT have 1/2" (just under 13mm) into the pan though.
instead of the tube heaters, try a magnetic pan heater.

giff · #5 01-23-2013, 10:21 AM

have the block heater installed from the factory? My 350SDL had the prongs on the freeze plug. Just needed to install the cable/plug set up and voila!

vstech · #6 01-23-2013, 10:34 AM

the only steel part of the pan is the lower section, so the magnetic heater would have to either attach to the bottom, or to the short sides of the lower pan to stick...

looking on amazon, I found this...

1500 watts... with a circulating motor! wow, that ought to warm the vehicle as well as the motor!

Zacharias · #7 01-23-2013, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

looking on amazon, I found this...

1500 watts... with a circulating motor! wow, that ought to warm the vehicle as well as the motor!

The PO installed one of those on my w116 300sd and it was really, really effective for the motor. You also got heat really fast, but it couldn't circulate through the heater when the car was at rest because of how the climate control is plumbed.

I thought there had been discussion on the board about it not being an easy install on cars with the later auto climate control system either?

If it can be done, that is what you want to have. Leaves a block heater in the dust.

Peter Guenther · #8 01-23-2013, 11:35 AM

My 85 300 TDT had it installed from the factory and was not a option. Its in freeze plug hole and had a cord going to the grille

vstech · #9 01-23-2013, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zacharias

The PO installed one of those on my w116 300sd and it was really, really effective for the motor. You also got heat really fast, but it couldn't circulate through the heater when the car was at rest because of how the climate control is plumbed.

I thought there had been discussion on the board about it not being an easy install on cars with the later auto climate control system either?

If it can be done, that is what you want to have. Leaves a block heater in the dust.

... IDK, any monovalve system should handle it fine, as the valve is open at rest... also any manual climate system should also...
AND with the Tee it comes with, you could install it to the heater hose, and bypass the heat control system if it's not normally open... all you'd have to do is install the Tee in the return line, and run a hose to the outlet of the engine to complete the circuit. maybe a check valve would be wise in there... not a difficult setup on the evil servo systems I'd think...

PackerEdgerton · #10 01-23-2013, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

the only steel part of the pan is the lower section, so the magnetic heater would have to either attach to the bottom, or to the short sides of the lower pan to stick...

looking on amazon, I found this...

1500 watts... with a circulating motor! wow, that ought to warm the vehicle as well as the motor!

Reading through the Amazon reviews Kat's 13150 1500 Watt Aluminum Circulating Tank Heater : Amazon.com : Automotive it does not appear to have an actual circulating motor. One review states that "The thing is not motor driven but works on fluid convection and has to be installed in a vertical position only." Looks like you plumb it into the heater hose and lower radiator and/or freeze plug/block drain, etc.

Interesting idea. I wonder where the best place to install on a 240D would be?

Packman

vstech · #11 01-23-2013, 12:06 PM

Hmm. no circulator eh... misleading name on the thing... I noticed Amazon also has the 850watt model...
should be called an convection heater...

Zacharias · #12 01-23-2013, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackerEdgerton

"The thing is not motor driven but works on fluid convection and has to be installed in a vertical position only." Looks like you plumb it into the heater hose and lower radiator and/or freeze plug/block drain, etc.

IIRC, there is a detailed DIY somewhere on a TDi site that shows the setup on a Passat, and I believe he used his block drain. I do remember there was something non-standard about what he did.

The usual intent is to use the heater hose, however.

What vstech said has me interested to try to install one for next year.

kerry · #13 01-23-2013, 03:13 PM

I've found the lower radiator hose heaters to be effective down to about 20 below zero F.

I have tried a magnetic pan heater and it did didley squat. A couple of magnetic pan heaters on the fuel tank might stop the fuel from gelling though.

yuke · #14 01-24-2013, 05:17 PM

I get the drift the dipstick heater is worthless. I ordered a Kat battery blanket heater I think this will help me out greatly as my battery is only about a yr. old but in 5 degree weather it barely turns the engine over before it starts dying where as in 30 or better it spins it great. Thanks for replys will let everyone know how it works.

Zacharias · #15 01-24-2013, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yuke

my battery is only about a yr. old but in 5 degree weather it barely turns the engine over before it starts dying where as in 30 or better it spins it great. Thanks for replys will let everyone know how it works.

At those temps, if you want the motor to spin fast enough to start, you need at least two out of three of the following (assuming your glowplugs are working properly):

1. Lots of battery grunt (so heat to the battery is good) and/or
2. Synthetic oil in the crankcase and/or
3. A healthy starter.

HOWEVER, I would expect a one-year-old battery to have a bit more life at that temperature than you describe. Questions:

1. Have you checked that the battery posts and cable terminals are nice and shiny (clean)?
2. Are you sure you have the correct spec battery?

You may want to check your battery at rest and while running with a voltmeter, to make sure everything is up to snap....