Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

[Stonewall]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

If you read through the TDIclub links that are posted in the tread you will come across the right parts numbers.

[aussiefishy]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

thanks for the headsup.

[djstorm]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

I had George do mine about 2 weeks ago, I think it came to $120 for misc parts and labor - then I supplied the heater itself. best investment I've ever made for my TDI.

[Red90]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

i just bought a series 8000 750W zerostart, on the package it said there is a check valve, is that the one that have major problems??

also, i was looking into the gregg distributor's flyer, should i get the industrial or non-industrial 1000W for a 2.0T FSI MKV??

Go here http://www.zerostart.com/pub_AppGuides.asp and download the Temro catalog.

Page 71.

The "industrial" ones have a thermostat. The thermostat will just help save some electricity, but they cost more. You want any of the small body units in 120 VAC.

[Red90]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

Gregg Catalog page Q15

Non-thermostat, small body units.
MODEL WATTS VOLTS
330-5001 750 120
330-5002 1000 120
330-5003 1500 120

Thermostat units
Size (16°/27°C) (27°/38°C) (38°/49°C)
750 WATT: 330-5028 330-5032 330-5036
1000 WATT: 330-5040 330-5044 330-5048

[aussiefishy]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

just went to gregg's and picked up a 1000W unit. 330-5002 (Part #), for like $64.00 tax in. will let george to put this in for me. waiting for him to set up an appt.

will update on total price once is done.

thanks all!

[aussiefishy]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

Just got the 1000W installed by George @ tunedub. it is all cool.
cost me 2 hours of labor. and about 70 bucks for parts.

however, i have found that even i let the heater to warm for 3-3.5 hrs, the car is still not reaching the 90C mark at startup.

any inputs?

[Stonewall]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

Make sure the heaters is installed as low as possible and it should help heat the rest of the coolant. You will also notice (at least I do) that the car looks like it is up to temp after starting it but the temp will drop down after the coolant circulates a bit. I know mine shows the temp high as the coolant sensor is near the heater but my bet is on a mk5 it isn't. Remember the heater is to help keep the engine a bit warmer not keep it at operating temperature.

[aussiefishy]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

i have tried to turn it on 3 hours prior to starting my car a the morning (3-6:30am)... i can see the car's temp was much better than dead cold, but it was still not even 50C. Considering the fact that it was heating up for 3 hrs in a -20ish weather, is it doing its job?

I am going to try lengthen the time to 4 hours heating. will update.

[FlyBoy]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

I run mine at the same time (3-6:30). As mentioned above, the sensor reads 90, but once it circulates it drops back down. Takes about 5-10 minutes of driving and is up to full operating. Warm (not hot) air blows out the vents right away.

[nordex]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

I plug mine in for 2-3 hours and it goes to about 30-40 with warm air blowing. I start it for about 5-10 minutes before I go and it is blowing HOT! I don't think you are ever going to get in start it up and your car is blowing toasty hot air.

[Vulcan]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

I heard some reports that people with the 1000 watt version had little heat but those with the 1500 watt version had lots. In either case your engine will thank you on a -20 morning.

[Aleks]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

I plug mine in for 2-3 hours and it goes to about 30-40 with warm air blowing. I start it for about 5-10 minutes before I go and it is blowing HOT! I don't think you are ever going to get in start it up and your car is blowing toasty hot air.

In mine (the original thread!) I would have it plugged in for about 4 hours, and my temp gauge was at running temperature, and blowing hot air.....After driving it would not dip down at all, it was fully circulated and good to go! I believe I had the 1500 watt version, but would have to check the first post in the thread......

[aussiefishy]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

I have been using this unit for about 1 month now, and i now starts the timer at 2:30 and start the car at 6:30. The car will start much easier (judged by the starter sound and speed), but it NEVER have been heated to running temp (~90C) except the first time...

is there anything wrong with the installation??
does the unit have to be installed at a particular orientation or place to get maximum benefits from it?

please help.

Thanks!

[djstorm]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

I have been using this unit for about 1 month now, and i now starts the timer at 2:30 and start the car at 6:30. The car will start much easier (judged by the starter sound and speed), but it NEVER have been heated to running temp (~90C) except the first time...

is there anything wrong with the installation??
does the unit have to be installed at a particular orientation or place to get maximum benefits from it?

please help.

Thanks!

I'd say with the 1000watt unit you will rarely see 90C when you start.

I would however ensure that it is mounted as low as possible, and hooked up in the right direction (there is an arrow on it that points which way coolant should flow).

I have the 1500W, I see 90 every day (again, it does drop once started, but I only power it up for about 2 hrs before starting, which seems to be plenty of time). A guy I work with has the 1000W, and he says he only sees 90C on days when it ain't that cold to begin with...