Engine preheaters

[worzel]

Hi

Others who've possibly followed my previous input on my problem with cold starting (the car's not much better either) might be interested in how I've "solved" the problem (ok- masked the symptoms).

Other opinions plus my own brilliant deduction came to the conclusion that the battery probably wasn't quite up to it so I've installed a device I had fitted many years ago to a Scimitar I once owned. Then I fitted a Kenlowe Hotstart but having looked at the current price opted for a cheaper route. Picked up a brand new preheater from a modern Lqandrover for ?75 (normally ?150 from other ads). Admittedly it's a 2kw heater rather than the 3kw Hotstart but big enough.

Fitted it on the vertical wall next to the exhaust and plumbed it into the heater hoses. Required making up a small stainless bracket plus fiddling around with some domestic type copper water pipes and elbows but end result is pretty neat (I'll post a picture once I can dig out the car from the snow). Doesn't quite reach the temp suggested in the blurb but warm enough to get it started up easily on a frozen morning plus some immediate heat (warmish actually) from the heater.

A nice little device that saves some cold start up wear on the engine.

Regards

John

[gav]

John

I have a removable hotsart that I use on my twincam. I even use it in summer.

It really makes starting so easy.

My plan is to plumb it in this year as I always use it.

I agree - they are great devices.

Gavin

[holywood3645]

They are called block heaters in Canada. I once owned an new diesel golf. Horrible starting in the cold. Installed a block heater and never had any more issues. It was an OEM part.
Even the stores had power outlets to allow your car to be plugged in while shopping.
I cannot remember how it was installed but it did fit into the block.

James