Keeping the motor warm:-}

[plhorner]

I personally think it would have to be a custom made tank with an internal heater and flying lead for power connection. If you accept that you'll never achieve full running temperature by pre-heating methods (unless you use a 240V system - wet cars and electricity.... not for me!) you could opt for a 12v system and go for 50 / 60 degree C oil temp (or may be slightly higher - I'd need to look further at trace heaters). This would go a long way towards a rapid warm up of the engine on start-up.
The problem I see with an externally mounted system is like you say, stone damage etc. This would then need to be removable, who wants to grovle around under the car before work ?!!! If its just a case of disconnecting a flying lead from an internal system, I reckon we have something.
Sorry, I couldn't read the attachemnts from Peregrine - computer gremlins again!

Regards,

 

[Guest]

I like the idea of pre-heating the engine. At this time of year my car, quite often, doesn't get up to a 'good' temp. The warmup would definately help.

 

[Guest]

On the assumption that most of the oil would be in the oil tank, and a flying lead attachment/detachment (a lot like my battery trickle charger), this seems to be a simple idea.

How much space would an internal (to the tank) heater take up, and would you just drop it through the filler cap ?

How much power would it take to produce oil at 50/60 C ?

I also assume that the hotter the better - is this true ?

 

[peterfrost]

Just got a bmw X5 3.0d(shared in family)
diesels are pathetically slow to warm up-in fact at 0 degc coming up from cold
and on a shopping run I can make the temp. gauge drop -heater full+blower.
Answer -bmw do a webasto park heater which you can progamme or operate on a remote.This heats the coolant water and cabin.It also gives initial assistance to cabin/coolant on cold start.
Marvellous thing about 200mmx100x100-cost £300 ish as an extra which in bmw prices is a steal.
Have a look-don't think its on bmw web though
peterfrost

 

[Guest]

Ok, now we're starting to warm-up... (get it?)
The idea of the BMW coolant heater for the Diesel, I have read about these, & other makes do the same thing. The main problem with this idea is our cars don't have any water in them! (just a slight problem?)[&:]
One issue with heating the oil tank is (as pointed out on Pelican), is that over a period of time, after shutting the motor off, oil moves from the tank, back into the crankcase. Having changed my oil many times, I know that you will get about 4 or 5 ltrs from the oil tank. (of a total of about 9 or so ltrs)
But, having read the link on heating the oil ( the guy with the airplane heater), he pionts out that oil consumes masses of heat, therefore, heating say 5 ltrs of oil to 70 C, will then release much more heat once pumped (motor starts) into the crankcase. So, this would inturn, preheat the motor. Of course it would be great to heat all the oil, there-by releasing heaps of Kw's of energy into the case.
Not having removed an oil tank, I wonder if there would be a position on the outside of the tank, where a heater pad could be adhered to. This spot maybe on the back side of the tank- away from the road wheel? These pads come with their own thermostat.
Has anyone any experience with the oil tanK?
Just to let everyone know; I will be moving home over the next few days, moving to the Isle of Man. So after Friday 14/11/03, you won't hear from me for sometime (thank god says John B?).
I hope this thread continues while I'm away?
Keep up the ideas!
Pete[]

 

[Guest]

(thank god says John B?).

And there was I thinking we could make a go of it !

I assume it was nothing I said to make you run away to the I-o-M.

 

[Guest]

No John, its just a lovely place.
This has got to be my last post for a while, the phone line is about to be cut.
I hope the idea keeps developing whilst I'm away.
I should have another bunch of stuff from another UK company by the time I come back.
By the way,
The attachments at the end of page 1 do work, just need to save them to your Hard drive first and then click open.
Austa-la-vista,
Baby![]

 

[Guest]

I hardly dare raise my head above the parapit but having read all the various opinions on this subject ( on this forum at least ), I have to say that I really cannot believe that the benefits of heating the oil are worth the hassle?

I have been fortunate enough to own and drive older 911's for the past 15 years. My garage is an old cow shed which partly floods when it rains. It is damp and cold throughout the winter months, even the mice prefer to nest outside.

I have never experienced any engine problems in fact my 3.2 CAB has done 130,000 miles and as far as I am aware has never had any rebuild whatsoever. In fact I had it tested last week for compression and the mechanic could not believe that each cylinder showed a perfect reading of 175. He said that he had never tested a 20 year old car before that had such a perfect reading. Perhaps I am just lucky? Obviously my garage is not ideal but its the only one I have got!

Is it really necessary to warm the oil?