Need a block heater... what works best?

[ontarian_frog]

My Wave never let me down in cold weather. I never plug it in. I was leaving my parents house in -35C weather... the car couldn't even stay warm at idle, but no problems starting it.

[tidus10]

i live in upstate NY right on Lake Ontario where the weather is anywhere from 10* to -10* F with wind-chill and ive NEVER had an issue with my car starting or running..

[MetroMPG]

My update would be the same: getting a block heater is worth it on so many levels. Just make sure you get a powerful one.

[AndrewButler05]

My update would be the same: getting a block heater is worth it on so many levels. Just make sure you get a powerful one.

Do you have any suggestions? I've been googling and looking and there's several to pick from....

Thanks,
-Andrew

[MetroMPG]

Well, I got mine from eBay. It's a Katt's 800w tank style heater. Thermosyphon style circulation.

There is probably an OEM block heater for the Aveo as well that may require you to pull a frost plug out and install it directly in the water jacket. But, again, I'd only do this if the wattage of the heater is decent.

That way, 45 - 60 min is all you need for a decent amount of heat, eg (for a 1.0L engine)...

[AndrewButler05]

Well, I got mine from eBay. It's a Katt's 800w tank style heater. Thermosyphon style circulation.

There is probably an OEM block heater for the Aveo as well that may require you to pull a frost plug out and install it directly in the water jacket. But, again, I'd only do this if the wattage of the heater is decent.

That way, 45 - 60 min is all you need for a decent amount of heat, eg (for a 1.0L engine)...

I think I'll order the one you have, any tips on where/how to install it? Is/was it a pain?

My next task will be on how to hook it up at my apartment complex, there's no outlets on the front side if our apartments, only on the back deck. I don't think I could run a cord out the window and still lock the window. I will have to do some thinking. There's no point in me buying one, if I can't plug it in this winter.

Thanks For The Input as well Tim.

Thanks,

-Andrew

[MetroMPG]

I think I'll order the one you have, any tips on where/how to install it? Is/was it a pain?

The main thing is to ensure it's oriented properly so the thermosyphon effect will work... ie. have the "outlet" end of the tank pointed upwards.

[milesvinson]

My wife and I rarely take off with a cold engine even in the summer. I've always believed it was better for the engine to warm to operating temperature before applying all of the pressure and strain that is generated with normal engine operation. I think this is especially true with aluminum heads. Also, we don't believe in scraping ice or frost from the windows. Instead we start our vehicle and let them warm up to the point where the windows are defrosted. This said, several years ago when gas started reaching the $3 mark I started putting a small bathroom heater in the floorboard of the car on those cold nights and turned the thermostat on really low. I figured electricity was cheaper than gas. Now I know that does nothing for heating the motor, but it does eliminate the idling time to defrost the windows as well as not having an ice cold interior. I also ordered an alarm kit w/ remote start that will work w/ a stick shift. Four years later it is still sitting in my living room floor. I also ordered a ZEROSTART 1500 watt tank style heater. I've never installed it either. Do you have any suggestions about mounting the heater?

[Daox]

Ditto, go big! And make sure you put it on a timer so you don't use a ton of electricity haha.

[Dustin]

I've used magnetics before, they work fine if you use a timer and make a bracket to secure them to the bottom of the oil pan.