Derek Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 So Here's the deal. I live 5 minutes from my shop. It's 5 minutes to the hardware store. 5 minutes to everywhere I seem to go. The car only reaches operating temp by the time I finish my trip. Here's my thought. I'll install a block heater or two and leave the car plugged in when I'm not driving it. At least it should be better than it being stone cold. Any thoughts or suggestions on this? Thanks Derek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 I don't really understand what your trying to accomplish with a block heater. You live in FL right? Evan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerryb Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Take longer routes. But seriously a block heater wont bring your engine up to operating temp. Its just meant to keep the water from freezing and cracking the block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted March 27, 2008 Author Share Posted March 27, 2008 Yes but the car runs much better at 190 than it does at 80. So my theory is if I can maintain the coolant as close to operating temp as possible, every time I jump in the car for a short trip it would be warmed up. I live in theoryville In the winters even though it rarely gets below freezing I use the block heater in my Diesel for the same reason. Derek I don't really understand what your trying to accomplish with a block heater. You live in FL right? Evan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted March 27, 2008 Author Share Posted March 27, 2008 Take longer routes. But seriously a block heater wont bring your engine up to operating temp. Its just meant to keep the water from freezing and cracking the block. Yes but multiples might make the difference. Derek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerryb Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 ........all this effort and electrical expense so you car runs better for 5 minutes. I dont see the value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.I.jonas Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 I'm not sure you understand the principle behind block heaters.There is no way you are going to get a block heater to get your temp anywhere even remotely close to operating temp.Block heaters, as was said already - keep things from freezing in sub zero weather,they are not capable of heating 500 pounds of thermal mass to high or even medium temps.Im afraid what you need is an actual plug in car IE electric.Seeing as you live in florida a heater probably wont even get your temp over ambient temp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 ^exactly what I was getting at^ Love the theoryville comment, thats hilarious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.I.jonas Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Love the theoryville comment, thats hilarious. Agreed, I'm thinking since its local for you anyway you may want to take a drive down "New idea St." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted March 28, 2008 Author Share Posted March 28, 2008 Agreed, I'm thinking since its local for you anyway you may want to take a drive down "New idea St." Or perhaps Great idea avenue. Here's what I want. I want to have my car at operating temp when I get in it. I don't happen to think this is a bad idea. Here's what I know. When the temp is around 30f and I don't plug in my truck the temp gauge never moves by the time I get to the shop and you can forget about heat. When I plug the truck in over night The truck starts better and the heat is noticeable. The temp gauge doesn't make it up to operating temp but does move pretty far. Ok here's what I've found out so far from a single source on the web. This means I'm right and your wrong. (do iI really need a smiley face here?) this is from a forum on dodge trucks http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?t=193010 They were experiencing engine temps of 130 to 140 or so on tucks that most certainly have more mass than my Z. Tomorrow I'm going to plug in my truck and measure the amp draw and do a cost calculation.I'll also measure the temperature rise. Then we'll see who's laughing then!!! Derek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffer949 Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Derek..... your such a NERD!!!! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted March 28, 2008 Author Share Posted March 28, 2008 Derek..... your such a NERD!!!! lol I really think too much sometimes. But it's fun Derek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Please clarify one thing, which I don't understand still. Why are you doing this again? Your feet get cold? Looking to reduce engine wear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otherguy Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 There is some thing called Remote Start sold out there. You can install that and start your car few minutes before you have to leave and when you ready to leave then the car will be warm and cozy for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihatejoefitz Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I've been reading on the ecomodder forum that was linked here a few weeks ago and they have tons of members using block heaters and reporting fuel mileage gains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.I.jonas Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Tomorrow I'm going to plug in my truck and measure the amp draw and do a cost calculation.I'll also measure the temperature rise. Then we'll see who's laughing then!!! Well i was never laughing in the first place,just confused. Datsun 240z + Block heater + person in florida = Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjames Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 A 110VAC tank style block heater would keep your little engine very close to operating temp. We used these on diesel engines 10 times the size of an L series Nissan, and kept them at or around 160F. I'm not sure that running a 2000 watt heater all the time would be worth it though... http://www.kimhotstart.com/kimhotstart/uploads/documents/catalog/sb-sl_pages.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.I.jonas Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Yes well once again i dont doubt that a heater for a friggin cummins diesel will work,i guess i was thinking something appropriate for the vehicle.I live in maine and am familiar with the units,just not for the said purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(goldfish) Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 And I thought he meant electric. I heard a 5 mile trip, sounds perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Or perhaps Great idea avenue. Here's what I want. I want to have my car at operating temp when I get in it. I don't happen to think this is a bad idea. Here's what I know. When the temp is around 30f and I don't plug in my truck the temp gauge never moves by the time I get to the shop and you can forget about heat. When I plug the truck in over night The truck starts better and the heat is noticeable. The temp gauge doesn't make it up to operating temp but does move pretty far. Ok here's what I've found out so far from a single source on the web. This means I'm right and your wrong. (do iI really need a smiley face here?) this is from a forum on dodge trucks http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?t=193010 They were experiencing engine temps of 130 to 140 or so on tucks that most certainly have more mass than my Z. Tomorrow I'm going to plug in my truck and measure the amp draw and do a cost calculation.I'll also measure the temperature rise. Then we'll see who's laughing then!!! Derek When I plug my truck in overnight, the temp readout on my programmer says about 130 before I start the truck. It's reading water temp in the block. As soon as I start the truck, water temps drop to about 80 to 90. The truck does warm up faster, I have heat sooner. Put a remote starter on the car, let it run for a minute or two and it'll accomplish the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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