hey guys, looking for some opinions here. Where I live in Delaware, it can get pretty cold (maybe 10 degrees F at the lowest), and my el camino runs like crap. I was thinking of getting a block heater, but then it occurred to me that this would only be effective at home, where I have access to an outlet. This will do no good while my car freezes in the parking lot for 8 hours while I am at work. I was thinking of getting a 12V electric blanket, maybe between 50 and 100 watts, and making some contraption to wrap in around my oil pan. I would have a solar panel sitting outside, with an inverter to convert the energy to the blanket. Does anyone k ow if this would work? Obviously, I would detach the blanket while I'm driving and the oil is a million degrees, but when I park it, I would set it back up so it doesn't freeze. Does this sound good? And does anyone else who loves in cold climates have a solution to this problem?
Keeping engine/oil warm in the winter
- Thread starter LukeZ
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10 degrees shouldn't cause a problem. I assume you have a carbureted engine and probably computer controlled. They have always been temperamental and removal of emissions controls makes it worse. Getting the carb heated is your problem and you do need heated air to the carb when cold. Most work places here have outlets for diesels and electric cars
I live in a colder climate than that (not bragging about it) and I have never used a block heater on any of my cars
I agree that nothing special is needed at that temperature, you could also try going with one step thinner oil just for the winter months as long as you stay within the recommended viscosity..
I think lilbowtie was right when he mentioned the choke. I've had problems with it last winter, and I guess that's what's wrong. I do have a THERMAC system, but does anyone know another way to get hot air to the carb? Maybe a engine compartment heater off of a boat?
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