Oilpan Heater Question

[98LS-WON]

Is there a temp at which it's a bad idea to turn it on(i.e too warm). I have a Camry w/ an Oilpan, Block and Battery heater installed and it was really nice to get in and have the heater "kind of" work as soon as I started the car. it only got down to 15F last night (I'm in Fairbanks).

Someone mentioned to me that if it isn't cold enough, the oilpan heater will create a hotspot on the pan and cause the oil to congeal/scorch/burm. Sounds like [censored] to me, but I thought I'd run it by the experts. The heater I'm using is a Wolverine, 125W stick on oilpan heater. Thanks.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I don't imagine they can get hot enough to damage the oil.

I have used block and oil pan heaters at that temperature with no ill effects.

 

[Rolla07]

Impossible.. It wont get anywhere hot enough to burn or scorch oil.. useful if you notice a difference.

 

[98LS-WON]

I thought the same thing, thanks for quick responses.

 

[rikstaker]

I used it from 45 below up to 5c in saskatchwan with no problems. The oil pan heater helps a lot tttt..

 

[JR]

I would not worry about it.

Ken

i have katz heaters on the oilpan and transaxle of the geo . my heater ussually get pluged in below 40°F.

 

[901Memphis]

Warmer oil is better for the engine... Period.

The coolant heater in the block will produce better heat for the passengers though. I think it's a little over kill to use them if it's above freezing but 15F is pretty chilly for some of us.

Time to update your location in your profile isn't it? Looks like your in Texas.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: Rolla07
Impossible.. It wont get anywhere hot enough to burn or scorch oil.. useful if you notice a difference.


Agreed. Its 125 watts. In -40 its barely enough to make a difference.
I like the idea of the dipstick oil heater however I've never seen one in action so it could be the idea in theory is far better than in practice.

OP.
The best form of engine heating system is a recirculating block heater. It continuously pumps heater coolant through the engine so at start up its already blowing warm air. All motors here are equipped with block heaters as standard equipment but I don't even bother with them.
A recirc can cost from 30-120 bucks. The ones I use are the 60 buck ones. In -40c cold the heater is blowing warm air immediately.
Couple that with a pan heater and could it even be considered a cold start.

 

[michaelluscher]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
A recirc can cost from 30-120 bucks. The ones I use are the 60 buck ones. In -40c cold the heater is blowing warm air immediately.
Couple that with a pan heater and could it even be considered a cold start.


Fundamentally No...
But from the ECU's perspective.... Maybe

 

[Finz]

Originally Posted By: Clevy


I like the idea of the dipstick oil heater however I've never seen one in action so it could be the idea in theory is far better than in practice. .


I hope I can remember this next time I go to VT.., I think we have a couple of them hanging in the basement and, if I remember, I will definitely bring one back with me and mail it to you. If nothing else, you can frame it

 

[98LS-WON]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Warmer oil is better for the engine... Period.

Time to update your location in your profile isn't it? Looks like your in Texas.


HA! It has been a while. I've lived in Korea and Tacoma since then.

 

[901Memphis]

To the OP... How are you using the heaters on your car? Do you have a timer for the pan heater or do you plug it in yourself? I probably wouldn't leave it on all night and day but only because of electricity.

 

[CELICA_XX]

Originally Posted By: Rolla07
Impossible.. It wont get anywhere hot enough to burn or scorch oil.

100% correct.

I had this same Wolverine heater on a previous vehicle. I kept it connected for a full 24 hours and then drained the oil one afternoon.

The oil was not "hot" at all.

Simply driving the car for 10 minutes will get the oil MUCH hotter.

 

[Clevy]

I like the idea of the dipstick oil heater however I've never seen one in action so it could be the idea in theory is far better than in practice. . [/quote]

I hope I can remember this next time I go to VT.., I think we have a couple of them hanging in the basement and, if I remember, I will definitely bring one back with me and mail it to you. If nothing else, you can frame it
[/quote]


NICE.
I'd use it actually. Oil temps at start up this morning was 11f. Took 20 minutes at idle to hit 100f. No funny sounds from the engine though however its only got just under 70000 miles.
These hemi engines are something else. I'm still in awe of the fuel economy. 25mpg on the highway on a bad day.
Mds should be on every engine produced. The fuel economy benefit is instant and allows for high hp engines to get unheard of mileage.