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Simpleman96
Dodge Dakota
12/29/2001
12:05:29
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 Subject: Engine Preheater
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I will be moving to a cold climate area soon and will be looking for a coolant heater. Does anyone know if the dealer has them or of any aftermarket companies that do.
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Art
Dodge Dakota
12/29/2001
13:10:08
|  RE: Engine Preheater
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Did you take a look at your engine because mine came with block heaters installed,if you dont have them you cam some from any parts store,They fit in the frost plugs of the block
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Simpleman96
Dodge Dakota
12/29/2001
14:45:11
| RE: Engine Preheater
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Mine didn't come one and I wasn't sure if they were even an option at the time I bought it. It's a 96 ext cab 4x4 3.9. Ill be moving to Maine in May so Ill need one. I have been checking the web and havn't come up with anything yet, but if yours came with one than I should be able to find one somewhere if not the dealership.
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Bruce P.
Dodge Dakota
12/29/2001
17:53:59
| RE: Engine Preheater
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Message:
(Simpleman96)
Sure, you can get a block heater and have it installed into the proper frost plug on the engine. Your dealer or a good auroparts store should be able to set you up.
Since I have been using block heaters for many years here in Vermont, I offer these tips;
1) Use a timer to turn on the heater a few hours before you expect to start your car. (Leaving it plugged in all night costs MUCHO$$ and will burn out the heater prematurly)
2) Use a HEAVY DUTY 10gauge xtension cord. (You want to get all the power to the heater... not lose it in the cord) I perfer an xtension with a "indicator lamp" at the socket end that has a locking lever. (Go to Sears for this!) That way I can look out my window and visually see that the timer has turned on the block heater.
Additionally,
Not only will your engine start better and last longer. You will find that the defroster will be blowing warm air shortly after startup.
I also use liberal coatings of "RAIN-X" on the windshield and a cover on the windshield too. This keeps the windshield ice-free every morning.
If you plan on keeping your vehicle for more than a few years DO NOT SCRAPE THE WINDSHIELD when there is ice on it. After a few winters of this kind of treatment, your windshield will be so scratched up that night driving will be scary.
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
12/29/2001
22:09:20
|  RE: Engine Preheater
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Message:
You realy should not need to heat your coolant. If anything it would be the oil in the crankcase and in the trany if it is an automatic. You can use a Tanis heating system that silicones onto your oil pan and trany pan. It works the same way a defroster does. It uses heating elements to warm your oil. If you use synthetics they require alot less heating. Your coolant should be good down to -70 to -84 if mixed properly by the directions
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xplikt
Dodge Dakota
12/30/2001
05:49:04
| RE: Engine Preheater
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Message:
There are also some cords that are made for cold climate and dont get all stiff and stay flexible. We have some at my house, but my dad got them and I would have to ask him what they are when he gets up in...4 hours. They are also the ones that have an indicater light -- which like Bruce P. said, are good.
Rain-X destorys your wipers and Zaino Z-2 works if you have any of that around.
"If you plan on keeping your vehicle for more than a few years DO NOT SCRAPE THE WINDSHIELD when there is ice on it. After a few winters of this kind of treatment, your windshield will be so scratched up that night driving will be scary."
Odd, I have scraped windows for over 4 years and have never had ANY scratches? You must have meant those older metal/plexi ones, because I have never had problems with the plastic ones.
Oh yeah, and DON'T IDLE!
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LSett
Dodge Dakota
12/30/2001
17:07:17
| RE: Engine Preheater
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I've heard that using the oil heater (specifically the heated dipstick) can actually burn your oil, which is obviously not good. I'm not sure how true it is, but i would suggest going the fatory route if you really think its nessesary to heat it at all.
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Simpleman96
Dodge Dakota
12/31/2001
16:53:48
| RE: Engine Preheater
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Message:
Thanks for all the input everyone!
Now that I know some of my options Ill begin looking for the parts. Ill check Sears for those cords and timer as well.
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Bruce P
Dodge Dakota
12/31/2001
21:13:08
| RE: Engine Preheater
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Message:
(sandman) Have you ever tried to start an engine at 4AM when it is -15F outside? If it actually did start... how far did you have to drive before there was any heat eminating from the defroster?
We are NOT trying to keep the antifreeze from freezing here... we are just trying to ensure that the engine STARTS and we have some heat from the vents witin 30 minutes of driving.
A BLOCK HEATER IS THE PROPER WAY TO HEAT THE ENGINE! It heats the ENGINE BLOCK. This includes the oil and anything else that touches the block.
An oil heater...(replaces the dipstack) DOES burn the oil and cannot put the heat where it is needed.
Lumberjacks go a step farther in heating the block.... when they arrive at the worksite in the morning, they have some quick-disconnect hoses that feed the warm coolant from their pickup truck (A Dakota of-course) to the skidder. After doing a "coolant transfusion" with the skidder engine... they start the big diesel engine in the skidder with the warmed coolant. (on REALLY cold nights... they just let the big diesels idle all night.)
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