Magnetic block heater mounting?

[4570Man]

Ok, not a tractor but a Chevy 6.5 diesel. I bought a magnetic "block" heater. The oil pan seems like the only suitable place to mount it. The lower part of the pan is about the same place as the front axel so dragging the heater off was a concern. It's also dented, so not an ideal mounting surface. The upper part is better on both accounts. Does anyone think it'll be effective there?

 

[shui5612]

Will it work? Yes.

Will it be as efficient as being on the bottom? No.
Since you're loosing out on the circulation of oil due to convection...

Are magnetic heaters any good? I wouldn't honestly recommend them at all since they don't really heat up the block all that much. Helps starting since the oil is less thick but you could resolve that by using winter grade oil..

 

[4570Man]

What is the better solution? Assuming the truck was hot when plugged in how much heat would the block retain overnight?

 

[shui5612]

They will only heat up the oil with very minimal heat going into the block.

The better solution is to have a coolant engine block heater which is inside of the engine ( there is a blank plug for one on most cars).
This heats up the block and coolant.

Second best option is an inline coolant heater which goes between the rad and engine essentially...

The best possible solution is to have a heated blanket on the battery with an onboard tender, engine oil pan heater (stick on type), engine coolant heater and transmission Heater (also a stick-on type).

I have this set up on my tractor which uses one plug in the front which charges and warms the battery, and transmission.

And another plug on the other side for the engine block heater, oil and coolant.
I'm thinking of running a third line with another outlet to put a rear dif heater on there.. maybe interior cab heater..


The way I set it up is to have the battery heated and maintained (helps the most to start the engine) on all the time (in winter time) while the other heaters are on thermostats..

If I only had one option for a heater I would use a battery heater... if the engine is started it will get hot over time...

A hot engine with a battery that can't crank it, isn't as harmful imho..

 

[4570Man]

It rarely gets cold enough that the batteries won't crank. Cab heater would be nice.

 

[RjCorazza]

I use magnetic heaters on my tractor transmission, but remove them prior to using the tractor. I guess it could be left on while driving your truck.
As far as location, the bottom of the pan would be best. Some heat will rise to the block, but as others have mentioned a coolant heater is much more effective.

 

[jaxs]

shui5612 covered it well. I'll add one detail regarding a heater between radiator and engine. Be sure it go's in lower hose,not very effective in upper.
Is there not a factory installed heater on the engine? Those are more effecirnt than add ons.

 

[buickanddeere]

A little tinky winky magnetic heater is only good to make sure that the any water in the oil pan is not frozen.
Batteries should have a heating pad underneath. A battery maintenance charger and the coolant this heater when both banks of a V8 require warming. Forced Flow Circulation Heaters | Phillips & Temro Industries

 

[holeycow]

the magnetic heater will do virtually nothing in very cold weather

just get a block heater installed. Or install it yourself.

run 0 weight oil.

Done.

 

[RSKY]

We don't get as much sub zero weather here in KY as y'all do up north and I find that the magnetic heater makes the little Kioti engine turn over a easier on twenty degree mornings. Of course that small an engine doesn't take much to warm. Anyway it is just my opinion that if heated even a little the oil will circulate and start lubricating a little quicker than if cold.

RSKY

 

[D2Cat]

I'd suggest you get your glow plugs working, have good batteries, good lift pump, clean fuel, and forget the magnetic heater. 400 watts isn't doing much anyways.

I've got a '95 Chev with 6.5 (couple hundred thousand miles) and it fires right off after the GP light goes out (about 10 seconds).

When you get your truck running correctly and you won't need the heater.

 

[CobyRupert]

How much engine oil does the truck hold? 6-7 quarts?

When turned off, isn't all the oil in the lower sump part of the pan?

 

[4570Man]

How much engine oil does the truck hold? 6-7 quarts?

When turned off, isn't all the oil in the lower sump part of the pan?

That's the part I was worried about. I've come to the conclusion that it probably is.

 

[4570Man]

I'd suggest you get your glow plugs working, have good batteries, good lift pump, clean fuel, and forget the magnetic heater. 400 watts isn't doing much anyways.

I've got a '95 Chev with 6.5 (couple hundred thousand miles) and it fires right off after the GP light goes out (about 10 seconds).

When you get your truck running correctly and you won't need the heater.

The truck will start ( 20F is as cold as it's been this year). It just doesn't like it very much.

 

[PILOON]

My experience is that a magnetic heater is at its best to maybe heat your door lock or the door handle on your tractor door (providing it is steel).
OK they are as advertised, (like 400 watts) but nowhere do they mention and facts about heat rise or engine starting.
I once installed 2 on my 20 HP tractor and left then on for 24 hrs with no improvement whatsoever, IMHO all they do is heat the air and cost U kilowatt hours.
OK, perhaps they work on a small, like 40 CC chainsaw (with a ferrous crankcase) but then what small engine has a steel crank case?

The only success I have had was to heat my snowblower electric rotating motor as the grease would gell and prevent rotation.

Use a good block heater or even a hose re circulation device as they do work.

 

[buickanddeere]

Even if the engine will start without use of the block heater . Beat to preheat anyways as the fast start and warm components reduces wear on both electrical and mechanical. Having a working defroster sooner is another bonous.

 

[4570Man]

I moved the the magnetic heater to the bottom of the pan. In the process I noticed my truck has a real block heater already installed. Anyone think that the magnetic heater would at least warm the oil or is it a complete waste?

 

[D2Cat]

Use that block heater you just discovered and leave it at that. It should do a fine job! I never plug mine in and the engine fires right off. I have my snow blade mounted on it, so it better!

 

[2458n]

People that built the truck put in a block heater for a reason. Use it. You will be pleasantly surprised. Some of the people who made your truck spent a great deal on their education use their smarts.

 

[pmsmechanic]

We had a 2002 TDI Jetta. All it had was an oil pan warmer. It worked quite fine and did what was needed. One winter we discovered it wasn't working when the temperature dropped to -28C/-18F. If you mount it on the side of the oil pan it will warm your oil. I'm not sure what you can do to make sure it doesn't fall off. The rubber one on our Jetta was glued on with red high temperature silicone.