Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

[PRY4SNO]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

Sounds pretty pricy... this might be a more viable option for us regular folk:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/ze...-0303294p.html

[MechEngg]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

Sounds pretty pricy... this might be a more viable option for us regular folk:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/ze...-0303294p.html

This is the coolant recirculating heater discussed in the first post. The difference is that this one gets plugged in, the Webasto ones use the diesel as a fuel to heat up the coolant without having to plug the car in. Haven't installed one but i'm assuming it can be hooked up to activate on a low temp or switch with minimal amperage draw to your battery (if any at all)

[Lars]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

See what these guys can do, they do a lot of custom installs for the city water services units

http://www.polarmobility.com

[Quick_Scar]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

If I get a inline coolant heater for a 2001 Passat V6, should I install it on the top coolant line, or the bottom?

I am thinking the bottom so that that warm coolant can rise and it will circulate a bit on its own.

Is the thermostat on the top or bottom line?

Thanks for your help guys!

[MechEngg]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

Take a look at your coolant flow diagram. Your thermostat will be closed, so remember that. Draw from one area and discharge to another area in as big a loop as possible

[RobG]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

The Webasto ones use the diesel as a fuel to heat up the coolant without having to plug the car in. Haven't installed one but i'm assuming it can be hooked up to activate on a low temp or switch with minimal amperage draw to your battery (if any at all)

I helped a friend put one in his Dodge, it does need power, but very minimal, it has a pump to circulate the coolant through it, it also came with a harness that tapped into the blower fan to keep the cab nice and toasty. The upside is not plugging the car in, the downside is the $1000+ and they do require periodic maintenance. I found an install somewhere where the guy installed one in his TDI behind his bumper cover opposite the intercooler, pretty clean install.

[All_Euro]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

I'm pretty tempted to buy this one but not sure where to source silicone reducers from 1" down to 5/8"... actually, it's 375w - there are higher wattage models but then the hose size increases too. Nice and streamlined though...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOWER-COOLAN...item1c2c86197a

[RobG]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

Like MechEngg said, the thermostat will stop convection flow through the rad, the coolant line to the oil cooler might provide better flow.

Similar install as the TDI heaters

http://www.frostheater.com/

[Benjamin]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

I had to get a diesel coolant heater for my big work truck and asked many heavy duty mechanics which was better, and they all told me espars don't break down like the webesto. I was also told to maintain them you are best to run it at least once a month, and that seems to keep things running well.

[Quick_Scar]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

Take a look at your coolant flow diagram. Your thermostat will be closed, so remember that. Draw from one area and discharge to another area in as big a loop as possible

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Radiator-hos...03bbe0&vxp=mtr

I was just thinking something like this. Looks to just sit in the path of the coolant and heats up what is around it. Does not look like it pumps anything. More like a block heater for the coolant hose.

[All_Euro]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

Like MechEngg said, the thermostat will stop convection flow through the rad, the coolant line to the oil cooler might provide better flow.

Similar install as the TDI heaters

http://www.frostheater.com/

Yep, I'm familiar with the idea - I currently have an OEM in-line heater plumbed in by the oil cooler. The cord is toast after falling down and dragging on the hi-way for however long... now the heating element doesn't seem to be working either. It's nice and small so I'd buy another but the dealership said they're no longer being offered.

The frostheater looks nice but a bit pricey. The zerostart is a good price and local - but too bulky. Both of the slim in-line ebay heaters that've been posted look promising... I was worried about them being too big and needing a reducer but the coolant hose between the oil cooler and block is about 2 3/8" inside so I think those ebay heaters might be perfect... seriously thinking of ordering one...

[jta430]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

i have the inline coolant hose heater on my a4,got it from partsource about 3 years ago works great no issues at all.

we run the esbar heaters on the cranes at work, we run a seperate tank for them, and run them on kerosene needs less maintenence and burns a lot cleaner.
we use them for cab heat as well so zero smell when running on kerosene.

[Lars]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

I had to get a diesel coolant heater for my big work truck and asked many heavy duty mechanics which was better, and they all told me espars don't break down like the webesto. I was also told to maintain them you are best to run it at least once a month, and that seems to keep things running well.

^^This ... I've repaired 90% more wabasto's then Espars. Run them once a month in the summer to keep things from gumming up etc. they'll last years and parts for the Espar's are cheaper .

[bart]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

vw's 1.6 tdi in europe come with some sort of heater that warms up the coolant really fast when temps are below 4C, very convenient, no aftermarket needed here

[PRY4SNO]

Re: Winter Warm-up Discussion: Heaters, Starters, etc

vw's 1.6 tdi in europe come with some sort of heater that warms up the coolant really fast when temps are below 4C, very convenient, no aftermarket needed here

A part number would be slick if you come across one.