Where do I put my drop light to keep the engine warm(ish) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Kuan · #1 01-12-2005, 06:03 PM

Not that -20F will be warm at all, but where? On the top and close the hood or underneath the oilpan?

boneheaddoctor · #2 01-12-2005, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuan

Not that -20F will be warm at all, but where? On the top and close the hood or underneath the oilpan?

I doubt thats gonna help...............but it cant hurt. Except your electric bill.

Try to lay it on the starter. Against the block.

GermanStar · #3 01-12-2005, 08:52 PM

I think you'll need more than one -- with heat lamp bulbs.

boneheaddoctor · #4 01-12-2005, 09:09 PM

Magnetic heater for the pan would be far more efficient............You don't have a block heater? You need to consider one living where you do.

Kuan · #5 01-12-2005, 09:19 PM

The garage normally stays about 15 degrees warmer than the outside. Car has started in -10 before but you could feel it groaning. Anyway, I couldn't drop the bugger down from the top so I set it on a block as close to the oil pan as possible. I don't really know if I need a block heater. Aren't those for those -40 temps?

GermanStar · #6 01-12-2005, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w126

Not sure about the block heater, don't see them much anymore due to FI etc. The magnetic heater for the pan sounds like a more practical and less radical idea.

My '63 Galaxie (from Benson, MN) had a block heater -- of course I never used it since it was a summer only car.

Sure, block heaters can still be had.

boneheaddoctor · #7 01-12-2005, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GermanStar

Sure, block heaters can still be had.

I bought mine brand new for $10.50 on Ebay

But $50-60 is more realistic.

mikemover · #8 01-12-2005, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuan

The garage normally stays about 15 degrees warmer than the outside. Car has started in -10 before but you could feel it groaning. Anyway, I couldn't drop the bugger down from the top so I set it on a block as close to the oil pan as possible. I don't really know if I need a block heater. Aren't those for those -40 temps?

Any diesel that is hard to start in cooler temperatures will benefit from a block heater. The problem will only get worse as the car ages, so you WILL need one eventually, if you plan to keep the car indefinitely.

They can be a real bear to install on an older car that has never had one, though.....the plug in the block is hard to get to, and is usually stuck and/or rusted in place pretty tight. But it can be done, and will help a LOT.

How old is the car? Had the valves adjusted lately? A diesel badly in need of a valve adjustment will be more diffcult to start as well.

Perhaps in the meantime, you could throw an electric blanket over the engine, turn it on "high", and close the hood. Not as effective as a block heater, but probably will help.

Mike

mzsmbs · #9 01-13-2005, 12:59 AM

heat rises. i'd go low and as close to the block as possible. on the starter would be a good place, as suggested.

a friend of mine heated his water (in house) all year with a heat lamp only. the water was hot to my surprise...

Chris p · #10 01-13-2005, 12:29 PM

I plug my sdl in every night as it reduces wear on the engine with the cold weather start ups and the heat comes much faster. The engine block heater is well worth the cost of about 100. I have tried the magnetic engine heater on the oil pan and it did not provide enough heat. My car sits outside every night. I also live in Minnesota.

mzsmbs · #11 01-13-2005, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

Is your battery fresh? If not, either replace it and/or buy a battery heater, essentially a electrically heated plate attached to either the base or side of the battery.

or get an Optima red top and be done with it. I have one on my truck and it didn't even feel any different at 0F then it does at 90F...

boneheaddoctor · #12 01-13-2005, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mzsmbs

or get an Optima red top and be done with it. I have one on my truck and it didn't even feel any different at 0F then it does at 90F...

My Truck has TWO red top optimas.........in Parallel.

mzsmbs · #13 01-13-2005, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

My Truck has TWO red top optimas.........in Parallel.

they are great. aren't they?

boneheaddoctor · #14 01-13-2005, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mzsmbs

they are great. aren't they?

Best battery I ever owned. Used to have a pair of 850 cca Interstates.....the truck struggeled to start in sub 20 degree weather.....

It cranks better at 20 degrees with these than it did at 50 with the interstates.

mzsmbs · #15 01-13-2005, 02:43 PM

me too. the only thing is they are about 2x the price but imo they are at least that many times better...