Block heaters (worth it?)

[jseabolt]

I bought my '03 Subaru Baja new. I shopped around for the best deal and I wanted one with a 5 speed with as many options as possible. So I saw several of these at the lots. None of the Bajas that were sent to Tennessee dealers, came with any cold climate options (block heaters) or heated seats for that matter. Well I never saw any with heated seats. That was an option I wanted.

 

Although the temperature at night on average is 27F even in the middle of winter, gasoline engines typically start up without any issues.

 

I'd like to know if I installed a factory Subaru block heater on my car, and plugged it up in my garage, would the coolant be near the normal operating temperature in the morning? I assume this device has a thermostat that cuts off at a certain temperature.

 

Would the engine temperature maintain around 200F if the engine was already warm? What if the engine temperature was 35F? Would the block heater warm the coolant up to 200F after being plugged up for 12 hours?

 

I don't need any assistance getting the engine going when cold, it would just be nice if the heater was pumping out warm air as soon as I started the engine.

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Crawlerdan]

worth it- yes. you wont regret it

[jp98]

I would pick up a timer from the hardware store so that the block heater isn't on all night.  A couple of hours before you need the vehicle should do it quite well.  If you do plug it in all night the cost can add up if you are paying the power bill. 

[ironworkerboomer]

I bought my '03 Subaru Baja new.

Although the temperature at night on average is 27F even in the middle of winter, gasoline engines typically start up without any issues.

 

I'd like to know if I installed a factory Subaru block heater on my car, and plugged it up in my garage, would the coolant be near the normal operating temperature in the morning? I assume this device has a thermostat that cuts off at a certain temperature.

 

Would the engine temperature maintain around 200F if the engine was already warm? What if the engine temperature was 35F? Would the block heater warm the coolant up to 200F after being plugged up for 12 hours?

I too love my Baja. Block heaters will not be like operating temp, but it will be much warmer than 27 when you start you have liquid oil  not syrup. I prefer the magnetic oil warmer in my gas vehicles. I can plug it in an hour before I want to start and oil is ready. Car warm up is faster also. Just my $.02

[Fairtax4me]

200° is 10° hotter than normal operating temp for these engines.

I don't know how hot a block heater typically gets an engine (varies greatly depending on wattage and engine size) but it should never get it above normal operating temp.

 

You really shouldn't need to run a heater for more than an hour unless you're parked outside in sub-zero temperatures. These are small aluminum blocks, they heat up pretty quick.

Even on days when outside temps are below freezing you should be near operating temp in about ten minutes just idling.

[jseabolt]

200° is 10° hotter than normal operating temp for these engines.

I don't know how hot a block heater typically gets an engine (varies greatly depending on wattage and engine size) but it should never get it above normal operating temp.

 

You really shouldn't need to run a heater for more than an hour unless you're parked outside in sub-zero temperatures. These are small aluminum blocks, they heat up pretty quick.

Even on days when outside temps are below freezing you should be near operating temp in about ten minutes just idling.

 

I just assumed the normal operatating temperature was around 200F. Wasn't sure since the temperature guage has no numbers on it. I would assume these block heaters have thermostats built into them so they wouldn't cause the coolant to boil from continuous running.

 

I used to park my car in my basement and even on the coldest mornings usually by the time I got to the main highway my car was already at normal operating temperature. Since I got married I let my wife park her car in the basement and I started parking mine in my detached garage.

 

My garage is a metal building and for some reason stays 10F warmer inside without the heat on. I have a 90K BTU propane heater but can't afford to run it all the time. Just when I am working out there and even then only turn it on if it's really cold. Otherwise I wear insulated overalls. it has an insulation rating of R7 and around freezing it runs non stop trying to maintain 60F. Last time I did the math that was .9 gallons per hour or $2.50 an hour!

[jp98]

There is no thermostat on a block heater.  All it consist of is a heating element and a cord to plug into the power.  For the short time that a block heater would be plugged in or even if it was plugged in all day I doubt that you would see boiling coolant or even enough heat from it to get the temperature gauge in the vehicle to move very much.  You have to figure the size of the block and the amount of heat that it will dissipate to the outside air surrounding the block to the point that the coolant will never reach that temperature. 

[jseabolt]

Well if that's the best a block heater will do (just make the engine easier to start) then I don't need one. Last winter it got down to 4F one morning and it started up just as easy as if it was 95F.