My experience with block heaters is that for normal starting on a cold day
the engine is stone cold and while the engine will start, it will run rough
or belch smoke for 10 minutes or so, acceleration will be sluggish and it
can be some time before there is enough heat to defrost the windows. In
addition you will likely leave the engine running for several minutes while
you wait for it to warm up enough to drive, which wastes fuel. For the
relatively small cost, necessary only where the temperature falls below
freezing, the block heater or alternatives are a real plus for effortless
cold starts. The cost of running the block heater for a few hours or over
night if required, is slight compared to the wear and tear from starting a
stone cold diesel. New engines generally start much better in the cold than
do old worn ones but the idea of poor lubrication, excess unburned diesel
washing down the cylinder bores and the added embarrassment of clouds of
smoke simply don't appeal to me.
Once the temperature drops to close to freezing I plug in my diesels for
near instant cab heat, smoke free startup and instant getaway.
Dan
- Original Message -----
From: "David Towle" <davidtowle@mail.com>
To: <peugeot-L@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 04, 2005 7:54 PM
Subject: [Peugeot-L] Re: 84 505s td block warmer
> Is the need for a block heater on diesels due to thick oil making the
> engine turn over too slowly, or combustion just won't start at all at too
> low a temperature?
>
> On my gas turbo I put in for the first time a few weeks ago Mobil 1 0W-40,
> boy does it improve cold start ease and the engine runs much nicer right
> away. No difference when warm.
>
> I chose Mobil 1 because I'm sure it won't break down like a normal oil
> with such a high level of viscosity enhancement.
>
> Would this help a diesel?
>
> Dave Towle
>
>> From: Brian Holm <peugeots@vtlink.net>
>> Subject: Re: 84 505s td block warmer
>>
>> Kelly,
>>
>> Peugeot block heaters with the removable cord only tend to last a
>> year before the contacts burn up. I recommend a lower hose heater,
>> thermostatic if you leave it on longer than two hours. 1.25" is much
>> easier to install than 1.5".
>>
>> As I can't be trusted to always unplug the cord before backing out of
>> the garage, I use an electric popcorn popper base on the floor under
>> the oil pan on a timer that turns it on and off automatically. I
>> cover the hood with 6" fiberglass insulation bats as soon as I drive
>> in. It works great in the garage; probably not so well where it
>> would be windy. A battery heater can be a great help where it's
>> really cold too.
>>
>> Brian Holm Parts for Peugeots
>>
>
>
>
>
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Received on Mon Dec 5 10:14:55 2005
