jdom84: A pan heater would work well on the Subaru if it has a smooth oil pan. They are usually just glued on using silicone sealant. What has really helped me the most is when I switched to 0-30 Mobile 1 synthetic motor oil for winter use. The thinner oil makes a big difference in this climate. Also, the use of a heated battery blanket helps tremendously.
Has anyone installed a block heater in LS4100 series?
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ehinson
Bronze Member
Well it doesn't qualify as cold here compared to you guys, we might see teens or 20's.
But I like to protect my vehicle and I don't have to wait as long to get going cause the oil gets where it's needed quickly.
If you get one, make sure the surface you attach it to is real clean " there adhesive " , put rtv silicone around the edges.
You can't remove them without destroying them so make sure where you want it.
I've never had one fail.
But I like to protect my vehicle and I don't have to wait as long to get going cause the oil gets where it's needed quickly.
If you get one, make sure the surface you attach it to is real clean " there adhesive " , put rtv silicone around the edges.
You can't remove them without destroying them so make sure where you want it.
I've never had one fail.
It has been long stated that the most wear on an engine occurs during start-up. A warm engine and warm oil go a long way in reducing wear and tear. Even in Anchorage, they recommend plugging in vehicles at +20 degrees F and lower to reduce emissions and increase longevity of your vehicle.
Drewmon
Bronze Member
Did you ever find out what size lower radiator Kat's unit to order? How did it work? For those that went with the block heater type, which freeze plug did you use and what wattage did you go with?
Not sure of the Brand of the Lower Radiator Hose Heater but the Model number is LR 93521 and it is 120volt/600 watts. The hose measures about 1-7/8" or around 48mm.
Won't know how well it works for a few months yet.
Won't know how well it works for a few months yet.
nickmags
Silver Member
I know this is going to sound dumb to you folks that live near the Arctic Circle and use dog sleds half a year, but us ole boys down in the warmer latitudes don't get a lot of experience in these matters, so... Can you use a magnetic pan heater? Are they worth the money? My XG3032 needs some help in Dec/Jan. I keep both it and my 20year old Dodge Cummins in an unheated garage on trickle chargers, and the Dodge has a block heater that I use when it gets down near zero. Neither get used daily, sometimes might sit for a week or more in winter, but when I need them, I want them to fire right up.
jdom84
Gold Member
The magnetic heaters work great for certain uses. I used one on my Mitsubishi tractor for a few years but the biggest problem is, if placed on the pan, its only heating the pan full of oil and the engine doesn't receive much of that heat. Coolant heating is ideal because your engine is always full of coolant and heating the water will start a convection. I have found the biggest issue in the cold to be batteries.
nickmags, I don't see any reason why a magnetic oil pan heater wouldn't work, unless you had an aluminum oil pan.
Before Global Warming, we even resorted to electric blankets, light bulbs and even the wife's blowdryer when she wasn't looking.
Not much experience with diesel engines but my Ford 7.3 has never failed to start by using pan heaters and a trickle charger on the batteries.
Before Global Warming, we even resorted to electric blankets, light bulbs and even the wife's blowdryer when she wasn't looking.
Not much experience with diesel engines but my Ford 7.3 has never failed to start by using pan heaters and a trickle charger on the batteries.
jdom84
Gold Member
:laughing: that sounds like something I would do, last year I had propped a plastic fan heater up to heat the rear gear box/hydro fluid on the Mitsu and "forgot" about it. This was after a spell of -20 weather and the tractor didn't want to move and seemed like it was frozen solid even thought it was back up to the +20's. The tractor started fine and I left it running for a while with the heater fan also running and the magnetic heater on the other side. I came back out and jumped on the tractor moved forward a couple of feet and heard a "CRUNCH". OOPS! :shocked:
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Hahahaha jdom84, A funny thing happens up here every winter..."Power Snakes" all over the streets and highways(extension cords people forget to unplug from their vehicles)! We all have those "uh-oh" moments. You have to laugh at them to keep from crying sometimes.