Cold Start.

"ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper" (thedlo) 01/31/2019 at 11:47 • Filed to: None

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Guys, I need some opinions.

I’ve been thinking of adding some a winter starting aid to to wagon, either an oil pan heater, a block heater, or a coolant heater/pump (recirculates).

Winters arent terribly cold here (NY downstate), but I work 2 miles from the house, and the wagon never gets to temp in that time/distance, and turning it on ahead of time is just a waste of gas (an idling car takes for ever to heat up).

So I think I want get some help on whats better, and if I should combine both an oil pan heater and either one of the coolant aids. Or if the coolant is hot enough how soon after will the oil catch up. I wanna keep this car going as long as possible, for the savings and enjoyment aspect of it. Currently Its at 298k mi.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 01/31/2019 at 12:22

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And on top of that I frequently read that modern cars shouldn’t be idling for extended periods of time.

This is a tough one, maybe the easiest answer is to make sure you regularly also do longer trips?

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 01/31/2019 at 12:27

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This might be stupid, but have you considered driving extra? Between the work and gym there’s about 2 miles, on cold days I’ll drive around for a bit until I can reach a full heat cycle. Inhave a potential to get a job maybe 1-1.5 miles from home, which will put me in the same situation as you. I will probably continue to do the same thing. Or get a beater. Lol 

deekster_caddy > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 01/31/2019 at 12:34

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For your comfort use a coolant circulating b lock heater. For the engine’s comfort use an oil pan warmer. If you choose not to warm the oil with a heater (shouldn’t be necessary if the viscosities are right), let it warm up for about a minute before driving.

Really the key is to be gentle on the engine while it’s frigid, but all modern engines manage their fuel properly so warming it isn’t all that critical - it’s just for your comfort.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > deekster_caddy 01/31/2019 at 12:45

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Well the wagon is pretty much all analog, lol doesn’ t even have traction control, which makes it a blast to hoon.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy 01/31/2019 at 12:49

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LOL but that would mean I would need to leave with plenty of time to do that..... Also I have a fear of something bad happening when Im driving without a purpose. And people here drive like idiots, especially in the mornings and evenings.

I was using my C36 as a “beater” but the flex disc failed so its out of commission at the moment. Also Its no good in the snow.

And Im not allowed anymore cars, we’re at 6 currently.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 01/31/2019 at 13:01

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Lol yeah I get it, I figured a turbo early 90’s Audi will take longer to warm up than a 2018 turbo focus. I’m not as worried about that but 1) I have a dashcam and 2) my ST isn’t as quite as rare  as your avant

deekster_caddy > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 01/31/2019 at 13:07

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fuel injection?

Klaus Schmoll > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 01/31/2019 at 13:32

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A webasto style coolant heater is what I have (factory option). Warm engine, warm interiour, windows that are actually see-thriugh and snow/ice that just falls off at a gentle touch. They are a drain on the battery though, so with a short commute you will run into problems there after a couple days of use.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > deekster_caddy 01/31/2019 at 13:50

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yea, the best kind too; port injection.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Klaus Schmoll 01/31/2019 at 14:07

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I was thinking of getting the plug in variety. I can run a cord at work and at home.

Klaus Schmoll > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 01/31/2019 at 14:33

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Cool. Even the normal kind paired with a trickle charger would do the trick and you can use it when not at home or work.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Klaus Schmoll 01/31/2019 at 14:39

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So yours runs only on the cars battery? Is it programmable?

Klaus Schmoll > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 01/31/2019 at 14:50

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Programmable or triggered by a remote whose reach is long enough not to have to step outside, you just need a clear line of sight.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Klaus Schmoll 01/31/2019 at 14:50

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That’ s beautiful. I need that in my life.

Klaus Schmoll > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 01/31/2019 at 14:54

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Speaking of beautiful things, I really like the wrap? on your C4.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Klaus Schmoll 01/31/2019 at 15:49

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No wrap! T hat’s emerald green, the snow plays tricks, makes it look super metallic .

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 01/31/2019 at 15:57

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Is that picture yours? It's gorgeous

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 01/31/2019 at 16:00

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Yup! T hat’ s my old faithful. Plenty of pics of it scattered around oppo, check my published posts history for more wagon porn.

Klaus Schmoll > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 01/31/2019 at 16:17

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That’s a very deep shine to give off this effect. Well done, Sir! Makes me feel bad about the current state of cleanliness of my German war wagon.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Klaus Schmoll 01/31/2019 at 16:49

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LOL you should see it now.

A lot of wear and tear lately. All these are from when the paint was actually nice. Now it pretty much needs a full respray, I am ashamed to say, but it was a massive help with transporting the random materials needed on our renovation.

The paint started to crack on the hood, also had a small run in with an 18 wheeler, we got priorities so I’m going to wait on a few odds and ends before getting into the body work.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 01/31/2019 at 18:36

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You, my friend are doing the Lord’s work keeping that beaut running.  Well done.  

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 01/31/2019 at 18:36

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How have I not seen this before? 

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 01/31/2019 at 19:16

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Lol I used to be more active before, slowed down a little.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 01/31/2019 at 21:56

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I would think an oil pan or block heater would be the best for getting moisture out of oil, and getting it thinned for proper lubrication.

I would say the block is better , but installation may be more difficult.

Pan heaters look fairly easy to install.

I have a buddy with a similar commute. He leased a car and would only do the one annual oil change. When we had a week of single digits, his car wouldn’t start, turns out he had ice buildup in his oil pan.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 02/01/2019 at 00:58

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Same.

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 02/01/2019 at 02:20

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300k miles and that wagon still photographs that wel l? Very nice

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's 02/01/2019 at 10:00

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Thank! She hides her age well. Almost too well....