TDS-97CSSL Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Hey All, New member here from Minneapolis, MN. It's getting dang cold here, and I'm looking to add an engine pre-heater. My preference would be for a tank heater that would warm the antifreeze, that would install inline in a heater hose typically. Although a block heater to warm the oil would be an acceptible option if I had to go that route. But my main question as I research my options is, does anyone know off the top of their heads if there is a 5/8" heater hose on these cars? I've got the 3.1 V6 by the way, as I think all of the '97's do. . . Any input you can give me would be appreciated. Think I'm heading off in teh wrong direction? I'm hoping to stop off at the auto parts store on the way home to see what they might have to offer. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 even in Minnesota... I don't think a block heater or coolant heater would serve much of a point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDS-97CSSL Posted January 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Oh, believe me, it does on the really cold days. have 'em on some of my other cars, but the one I liked the most so far was the inline on my old Suburban, plug that in over night, and the antifreeze temp was up when I went to start it in the AM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Man that would be nice. Warmer antifreeze would surely warm up the engine just a bit quicker, and keep the block warmer as well. Can't tell you how many mornings I've came out and driven to class, and still no warm air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildbill Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Well hi there neighbor. You should introduce yourself in the members ride section with some pics. I was plugging in my Prix for a while and it definitly helped. But I stopped about a month ago because the outlet in my garage decided to quit working. And it wasn't that cold out a month ago in Mpls. But now it is friggen cold. I would just recommend plugging in a block heater if you have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDS-97CSSL Posted January 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 I would just recommend plugging in a block heater if you have one. Well, yeah, that's what I'm trying to set up, if I have to settle for a block heater, or if I can install a 'tank heater' they're commonly called, inline in one of the coolant hoses. I'd look on my car but my wife has it at work today, so I'm trying to gather info and maybe tackle this project in the garage tonight. I've preferred this style that warms the antifreeze, over the ones that just heat up the oil. Guess I'll just see what they have for my application at a couple parts stores tonight. BTW, I'm hearing forecast for -60 farenheit windchill for the coming weekend in the northern part of MN, so anything I can do to try and keep my car starting in those temps, I'm considering. Wildbill, are you here in MN too? I haven't had a chance to whip up an introduction post yet, but I'll try and get into that forum soon. No pics of the Cutlass yet, though. 'Course, it looks just like a thousand other ones, I see these things everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildbill Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 I know it I ahve heard -35F to -50F windchills, I have to drive a front end loader tomorrow morning starting at 2am. Hopefully the hydraulics work. Yep right in Brooklyn Park, since April, before that north Mpls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDS-97CSSL Posted January 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 I know it I ahve heard -35F to -50F windchills, I have to drive a front end loader tomorrow morning starting at 2am. Hopefully the hydraulics work. Yep right in Brooklyn Park, since April, before that north Mpls. Ah, cool. I live in Robbinsdale, so we really are almost neighbors, LOL. Wife is taking the Cutlass to Duluth over the weekend, great timing on her part, hahaha! I know they say windchill doesn't effect inanimate objects, but I'm not a believer of that, I've dealt with several cold-weather problems. You a heavy-machinery operator? I could have some fun with a front-end loader. (if it wasn't at 2AM, and in wicked-cold weather, I've become a bit of a wuss, weather-wise). Try and stay warm! I'm off to see what I can find for heaters at Checker and O'Reilly. If I find something I'll maybe post back with further info. . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schurkey Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 New member here from Minneapolis, MN. It's getting dang cold here, and I'm looking to add an engine pre-heater. My preference would be for a tank heater that would warm the antifreeze, that would install inline in a heater hose typically. Although a block heater to warm the oil would be an acceptible option if I had to go that route. 1. Tank heaters use more electricity and warm the engine less efficiently than a block heater that pops into a core plug hole. Tank heaters cost more. They take up extra under-hood space, too. A core plug heater is in every way superior--if you have an accessible core plug hole to use with the heater. I don't even know where you'd buy a heater that warms the oil--unless it'd be one of those magnetic jobs that "sticks" to the oil pan. Nobody but air-cooled-VW owners use oil heaters. even in Minnesota... I don't think a block heater or coolant heater would serve much of a point. Actually, they work VERY well. I know it I ahve heard -35F to -50F windchills I know they say windchill doesn't effect inanimate objects, but I'm not a believer of that, I've dealt with several cold-weather problems. Wind chill ABSOLUTELY affects inanimate objects; provided you consider "time" in the equation. Wind chill will not reduce temperature below the actual ambient temp; but it does cool things FASTER. Since you'd normally expect hundreds of pounds of metal and oil and coolant that normally runs ~200 degrees to retain some of that heat for many hours; the speed it cools can be of importance at very cold wind chills. For example, with a wind chill of -70, and a real temperature of ~-30 you might want to start the engine every four hours--on your lunch break, for instance--to be sure it'll start when you want to drive home at the end of your shift. If you leave the engine for 8 hours, it'll be at ambient temperature through-and-through, the oil will be thick and the whole thing will resent being re-started. Thank God for global warming; it's making my hometown much more livable. Back in the '60's and '70's, -40 was fairly common overnight in January, and wind chills of -90 were not completely unusual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96GPSE Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 Hey All, New member here from Minneapolis, MN. Welcome neighbor, I'm new here myself...representin Vadnais Heights MN!!!! But my main question as I research my options is, does anyone know off the top of their heads if there is a 5/8" heater hose on these cars? I've got the 3.1 V6 by the way, as I think all of the '97's do. . . On my 96 GP 3100 the two hard coolant lines coming off the engine are 5/8 and the heater core has one 5/8 and one 3/4 hose connection. One of the stock hoses reduces from 3/4 to 5/8. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89GP_SE Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 Hey hey, being the only person, well one of the only ppl on this board that gets the chance to have -40 celcius weather for a week straight, my advice is a oil pan gasket heater. It will keep your engine oil nice and warm so you wont have as nasty startups in the cold. In turn it will also keep your block warm. I would also recommend changing your antifreeze to a 75 percent antifreeze and 25 percent water, you will never have problems in the winter with that mix. Im not sure what -40 celcius is in Ferinhiet. We use the pan heaters on the new mazdas and new volkswagons here, they are very effective, and they are the kind that go in with some sort of glue, but its not a glue, I will try to find out what kind it is LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildbill Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 As a matter of fact -40 C is also -40 F the only temp where they are the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted To Boost Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 I'm another Minnesotan- from North Branch, MN. On real cold mornings we've had lately, it takes a good 5 miles of driving before my GP starts throwing heat, then after 10 miles it is finally warmed up. Any kind of heater would definitely be a benefit. Its supposed to be -15* tonight... brrr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89GP_SE Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 As a matter of fact -40 C is also -40 F the only temp where they are the same. lol really, i did not know that cause F is so weird to me, like 0 for me is 32 for you lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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