Oil sump heaters.

[gt_addict]

Hi guys,

I know winter is quite a way away but I'm thinking ahead. My van takes ages to warm up in the winter and ends up costing me a fair bit in diesel (I lose about 60miles per tank). So I've been looking at oil sump heaters by "Wolverine". They plug in externally but are permentantly attached to the sump and the plug just hides in the engine bay. The other option is a magnetic version by "Zerostart".

I'm thinking this route as I can't fit the inline aux heater as it doesn't actually work and the chances of me getting a second hand one that works is slim to none considering there age.

What are people's opinions?

Thanks.

[liteace]

Better off heating the coolant than the oil \ sump

My old van would never start when it was cold, summer or winter cause it had done nearly 800.000 miles and was as loose as a hookers @#@#

I stuck a coolant pre-heater on it, it was a nice little unit with a built in pump so it would heat and circulate the coolant to about 60°

something like these:

http://www.enginepreheater.co.uk/

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1500W-Engine- ... 4ae215f8bd

[gt_addict]

I was looking for something a little less invasive to the engine bay. Plus it would involve mucking about with coolant and possibly getting airlock a etc etc.

Would you say it's better to do the coolant option than the oil?

[liteace]

Yep for sure do the coolant, it will heat quicker than oil, its being circulated and its better the heat where combustion is taking place in the top of the engine


Heating the oil, i'll stay warm \ hot while the heater is on it but as soon as you start the engine and it gets pumped round a, still very cold block \ head it will cool the oil very quickly

[gt_addict]

That's a very good point.

I found something similar to what I was going to install that came fitted to connects and Jaguars. But it's a new item and comes with necessary bits to fit it (excluding cable). And it's the same price as the other heater you pointed out, but it's 12v so no need to run an extension lead.

Ebizzle number :- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121686955238

Thoughts or opinions?

[liteace]

It'll work but its only 3 x 200 watts + with no coolant circulation it can only be switched just before engine start with a good battery,

the mains powered, 1 is 1500 and the other 2000 watts and could be put on a timer to start depending on outside temp an hour or couple of hours before

[gt_addict]

Thanks for your help and advice Liteace.