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That time of year again TDI guys

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  • #1

    That time of year again TDI guys

    even though it is going to be 30 degrees on Wednesday I was thinking about this on the drive in this morning. After last years experience I am finally going to do something this year. There are basically two choices:

    http://www.frostheater.com/

    http://www.greggdistributors.ca/ (Access Alaska heat pads or Wolverine heat pads)

    Who has what and what is your experience?

    I have a 2001 TDI and think that the plug coming from my engine is a pad heater which didn't really work last year and probably needs replacing.

    In looking through the Bentley manuals there is no mention of any frost plugs for a traditional block heater. So a pad or an inline heater are my only options.
    2012 VW Jetta GLI
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: That time of year again TDI guys

    Pad heater worked fine in my opinion. Worth checking it in the fall before you fire it up to make sure there is no damage, but you should probably do this with any heater to check for damage/freys. Coolant heater is also a great idea, although you could argue that it is more for your comfort and less for the good of your car. Coolant heater won't get much heat to the oil sitting in your oilpan.

    Good battery is key. You want to be able to run those plugs several times and still have lots of cranking power when its cold. A standard battery intended for a gasser will have really high CCA, but it is all front loaded. So after you cycle plugs a few times, you have used a lot of that up already. Lower CCA and higher amp/hour rating is better.... I think.
    Stefan
    -> '19 Deep Black Pearl Alltrack
    -> '05 Urban Grey Passat Wagon TDI.
    -> Past rides: '14 Allroad, 06 Mazda5, '98 Jetta K2, '01 Jetta TDI, '91 Mazda B2200, '81 Toyota Cressida
    -> FutuRe Ride...??!

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    • #3
      Re: That time of year again TDI guys

      I have the frostheater installed and I love it. I'll run it for 3 to 4 hours on really cold nights and there is instant heat on startup. The coil light is a quick blink. It doesn't directly heat the oil pan, but it does heat the block, so my guess is there would be some heat transfer to the pan.

      The kit comes with all the coolant hoses and clamps you'll need for a quick install. Put it on a timer 'cause its a powerful heater (1000w or so) and you'll only need a few hours.

      From a comfort perspective it is superior to any block heater I've had on my cars.
      Pat
      2000 S4 stg3
      2015 Honda Odyssey
      2017 Honda Ridgeline

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      • #4
        Re: That time of year again TDI guys

        Also looking for a new battery as the one I have is the original one from 2001. Looked at the Optima and some other deep cycle ones but they don't have as high an amp/hour rating as the VW part# 1J0-915-105-AG. Any suggestions?
        2012 VW Jetta GLI

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        • #5
          Re: That time of year again TDI guys

          There are a couple that match it. I called around and couldn't find much at the places I knew of, so got the VW one. I think Interstate has a good one. Brent on here has one he likes in hes TDI. Can't think of the brand. Sure he will be here soon enough.
          Stefan
          -> '19 Deep Black Pearl Alltrack
          -> '05 Urban Grey Passat Wagon TDI.
          -> Past rides: '14 Allroad, 06 Mazda5, '98 Jetta K2, '01 Jetta TDI, '91 Mazda B2200, '81 Toyota Cressida
          -> FutuRe Ride...??!

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: That time of year again TDI guys

            I have my self made tdiheater kit with parts from crappy tire in both the Jetta and the golf and they have been great. There are many likes to what you need on the tdiclub. I find the coolant heater heats up the oil a bit also as it is right beside the oil filter housing so it tends to keep the oil a little warm. There are those that will say a warmer block is more important then oil for wear protection etc but I think it is better either way. You are right though there is no frost plugs so a stick on heater or coolant heater are your only options. Personally I like coolant heaters as I don't think I trust a stick on heater enough to not give me any problems.
            Name: Brent
            His: '04 TDI Golf Mods: None If it's smoken it ain't broken
            Family: '15 Jetta Sportwagon
            Fun car: '92 Blue Karmann Crabby Cabby Mods: Coils, front and rear swaybars, LED interior lights and some other old things.

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            • #7
              Re: That time of year again TDI guys

              we do pan heaters and optima batteries . never a problem
              sigpic

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              • #8
                Re: That time of year again TDI guys

                I have a used 1000W Temro coolant heater at home (same unit as the Frostheater) you can have for $30. You need to figure out the hoses to tie in, but it is pretty simple and there are write-ups around.

                It was used for one season in my truck before I changed to a Webasto.

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                • #9
                  Re: That time of year again TDI guys

                  Temro coolant heater FTW -- My wife's last car was the TDI -- the coolant heater warms the coolant, the block and the heater core -- even have warmish air blowing when you start it.

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                  • #10
                    Re: That time of year again TDI guys

                    I have a Frostheater in my car and it is awesome.

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                    • #11
                      Re: That time of year again TDI guys

                      Really what would also be great would be adding a diesel fueled heater like you can get in a highway truck. That way there would always be heat. I know that some people on TDIclub.com have done it.

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                      • #12
                        Re: That time of year again TDI guys

                        Originally posted by Pshrynk View Post
                        Really what would also be great would be adding a diesel fueled heater like you can get in a highway truck. That way there would always be heat. I know that some people on TDIclub.com have done it.
                        I have one in my truck. Greatest modification ever....

                        But...they are really fricken expensive.

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                        • #13
                          Re: That time of year again TDI guys

                          Webastro makes then for VW's over in Europe too. They even have a remote controlled version.
                          Name: Brent
                          His: '04 TDI Golf Mods: None If it's smoken it ain't broken
                          Family: '15 Jetta Sportwagon
                          Fun car: '92 Blue Karmann Crabby Cabby Mods: Coils, front and rear swaybars, LED interior lights and some other old things.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: That time of year again TDI guys

                            While we're at it how about a Tiger torch on the oilpan. LOL. I seriously thought about the Webasto one a few years ago when I had to park on a surface lot without any plugins for up to 10 hours a day.
                            2012 VW Jetta GLI

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                            • #15
                              Re: That time of year again TDI guys

                              Originally posted by Stonewall View Post
                              They even have a remote controlled version.
                              The Webasto or Espar wireless remotes are stupid crazy expensive..... Being a CB, I looked at other options and found the super cheap and super simple solution.

                              Logisys Wireless relay, $25 delivered. It works great. Press button from warmth of house, wait 15 minutes, warm engine.
                              http://www.directcanada.com/products...GISYS COMPUTER
                              Last edited by Red90; 09-23-2009, 02:37 PM.

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