Block heater woes

[Morks]

In need of a block heater, just picked one up from the local parts store. Kat's 11611. Plugged it in to ensure function and immediately the solder on the elment started burning and flowing and opened up some space where the element attaches to the plug... Is it worth it to order another Kat's, order in a zero start (phillips and temro) or do a lower rad hose heater... Any help is appreciated!

 

[Rickyd]

In need of a block heater, just picked one up from the local parts store. Kat's 11611. Plugged it in to ensure function and immediately the solder on the elment started burning and flowing and opened up some space where the element attaches to the plug... Is it worth it to order another Kat's, order in a zero start (phillips and temro) or do a lower rad hose heater... Any help is appreciated!

View attachment 574119

My guess is without the coolant as a heat sink you let it get way too hot.i wouldn't plug one in without at least putting it in water all the way to the block off plate.Sorry,no advise on block heater brands.

 

[Morks]

I did think of that right after, it is fairly cool outside and only let it run for 2-3 seconds. But you're probably right. Going to order up another and try in liquid...

 

[ColoJeep]

Kat's heaters are fine. don't run any heater dry !

 

[Morks]

Kat's heaters are fine. don't run any heater dry !

Sounds good. Thanks for the info!

 

[DuckNut]

When I lived up in the frozen tundra, I had a circulating hose heater. Kept coolant, oil and block warm. If it was going to get really cold, I just left it run.

 

[ChadH]

When I lived up in the frozen tundra, I had a circulating hose heater. Kept coolant, oil and block warm. If it was going to get really cold, I just left it run.

Which brand? I've been considering a wabesto.

 

[Morks]

When I lived up in the frozen tundra, I had a circulating hose heater. Kept coolant, oil and block warm. If it was going to get really cold, I just left it run.

Interesting which one did you install? That would be a lot easier to swap out than a freeze plug in cold conditions, but then again I don't think I should have to worry if the block heater is installed correctly. I am waiting on a call to get more info about the plug in situations for work. I'll be up near the northwest territories.

 

[ChadH]

Being that far north I would think a coolant heater like wabesto or espar heater would be more appropriate? Is this for just parking at home?

 

[InOmaha]

I worked with a guy from northern Minnesota. He said his dad would have him take a pan of coals from the fireplace out to the garage and slide it under the car a half hour before he wanted to drive it so the oil and bottom of the block heated up.

Probably not what you want, but his story was interesting. Like the bush pilots in Alaska that drain their oil and heat it before pouring it back in prior to starting the engine before takeoff.

 

[Morks]

I will be out on the oil rigs... Obviously not great in terms of wear and tear, but I've had the jeep in -50 a few times and no issues starting. It also had 10w30 conventional, oil pressure gauge took a little longer than normal to get up lol! So I am not super concerned once I have synthetic oils in the jeep. I have a couple buddy heaters I am bringing up in case of break down. That way I can run them in the jeep as a source of heat, and can place them underneath the jeep to warm the engine bay if I stop over night. I plan on doing some exploring while I am out there. No issues with starting fires underneath I will definitely get up there and chop some hard wood to bring around with me. However to and from work everyday may not be ideal for starting fires haha.

Edit: Also looking into getting a vevor diesel heater, if they go cheap enough to warrant a crappy product. I will mount it in the cab and exhaust it outside (so many rust holes to choose from!!). Then I can route heat inside the cab and maybe split a small line into the engine bay to have something heating up the area/ oil pan... Will probably grab a magnetic oil pan heater as well.

 

[DuckNut]

@morkI am not sure of the brand as this was a long time ago.

I just had to cut the lower radiator hose a fit this in. The plug just hung out under thr hood and above the grill.

I would think a search for recirculating block heater would lead you in the right direction.

 

[ChadH]

In those kinda temps I wouldnt think a diesel heater jut blowing in the engine bay would work well - probably would take several hours to help any. What about combination of a coolant block heater and a stickey pad heater on the oil pan?

 

[Morks]

@morkI am not sure of the brand as this was a long time ago.

I just had to cut the lower radiator hose a fit this in. The plug just hung out under thr hood and above the grill.

I would think a search for recirculating block heater would lead you in the right direction.

Ah okay, didn't know the effectiveness of those lower rad hose ones. Should of did that instead of the block heater I did. Hands were to big just to remove a couple things, so removed the manifolds etc... PITA!

 

[Morks]

In those kinda temps I wouldnt think a diesel heater jut blowing in the engine bay would work well - probably would take several hours to help any. What about combination of a coolant block heater and a stickey pad heater on the oil pan?

The diesel heater will be more of a toy for when I have days off and go exploring, it'll be cramped but I'm building a small platform to sleep on and if the buddy heater fails or I want dry heat it'll warm the cab and heat the engine bay. Obviously it would take a while or may not even do anything without tarping up the engine... I plan on getting into the bush for some fishing.

 

[DuckNut]

If I ever saw it was going to go down to -50, there is no way I am turning it off as you may not get it started until spring.

Remember, diesel starts to gel at -15, so protect your supply. Also, craft yourself some sort of sheet good to put in front of your radiator. -30 and wind speed will cause anything warm to cool really fast. That means it is possible that your thermostat will never open and you get no heat inside.

Had a Rabbit diesel that when it went below 32 I had to slip a sheet of wood in front of the radiator just to get enough heat to keep the windows fog free.

The most beneficial aid I found in the super cold was to keep my windows sparkling clean on the inside to cut down on fog and Rainx on the outside.

 

[Morks]

Yeah fair enough something to really consider in those temps. Have never had an issue with the thermostat opening in those temps and staying at normal operating temp evening running down the highway, will definitely get a rad block though! Last trip I did in some really cold weather, -30's had the heater core bypassed, I love the cold! Good tip with the windows.