engine coolant preheater

[mikeyworks]

Hey gang,

My friend at the auto shop was talking about a coolant preheater he used to put on diesels to heat them up before you start the car. Let me describe it to you.

It's a gas powered unit (

) that works on a timer. You set it for a certain time, and it will kick on and heat up your coolant (hooked inline with the coolant system) so when you turn the car on, it's ready and warm.

Anyone know about these? I have seen the TDI heaters for sale on the classifieds, but this is an older unit that was common overseas.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mikey

p.s. time to go internet hunting to see if I can find more.

 

[Birdman]

Espar/Eberspaescher-heaters are what you are looking for. I have one on the Charter bus i drive and they work great but at almost 1000$ just to high for me.

 

[John B.]

Espar hydronic 4

http://www.espar.com/
http://www.espar.com/htm/Specs/water/D4Wspec.htm

Greg sells them

http://www.lubespecialist.com/espar/espar.htm

JB

 

[mikeyworks]

they look like nice systems...eBay time.

 

[jjvincent]

Espar heaters are excellent. I've installed many of them in the past. A few points to remember:
- They take up some space and are usually fitted to larger vehicles (might be hard to find room on a small passenger vehicle)
- Make sure you have the capability to do some fabrication (mounting brackets, exhaust and fuel lines)

 

[MOGolf]

Look in the classifieds. Redgolftdi sells a kit for ~$100 with a 1000W heater.

You can also buy/fabricate the parts yourself for less, if you are so capable/inclined.

 

[C Brown]

I wanted to make one of theese, but they would be diffucult to build, so I goota ask. Does anyone know what one of these things runs. I will call, if I have to.. but I was figuring in the 1K range?

Would be GREAT! if it could be done for 400.oo or so... Electric heaters do no good at work..

Regards
CB&Stoker

 

[C Brown]

I wanted to make one of theese, but they would be diffucult to build, so I goota ask. Does anyone know what one of these things runs. I will call, if I have to.. but I was figuring in the 1K range?

Would be GREAT! if it could be done for 400.oo or so... Electric heaters do no good at work..

Regards
CB&Stoker

 

[Curious Chris]

Unless you live in far northern Canada, the RedGolfTdi tdiheater.com heater, is all you really need as the TDI's will start at -20F without much hesitation. If you do live in far northern Canada, I am thinking the low cost option is tdiheater.com + a small gasoline generator in your trunk: fire up the generator 2 hours before you want the car to start and plug in the coolant heater.

 

[Curious Chris]

Sorry, I just looked and saw you lived in Ohio. I lived in Willoughby Ohio when I worked at TRW. It never gets cold enough in Ohio for a TDI to need any help starting. The only advantage of a www.tdiheater.com heater is that you have instant heat in the morning which is nice.

 

[mikeyworks]

looking at the products, I might reconsider and go with a cheaper option (freeze plug heaters, heat blankets, etc)

Thanks for the input guys...
Mikey

 

[weedeater]

A coolant heater would be nice, but I would prefer electric, say 200 watts.

 

[mikeyworks]

I agree, $100 for the TDIHeater is a great deal.

However, the dilemma does exist that was posed above, what about when I am at work? It can stay cold all day (yeah, even here in MD, but nothing like the great white north), and I want to try to reduce engine strain from cold starts.

Remember, a cold start does not necessarily mean that it's -20F, it means the car is not at it's optimal operating temperature.

(not an attack, just a comment)

On a side note...I get to fix the coolant system on the stinkin' Ford Ranger this weekend...something is leaking around the thermostat I replaced last year....

Mikey

 

[C Brown]

I do live in Ohio,I just want my windows clear when I start it up. I have a very short drive to work currently, and the heat dosn't work. without excessive idling, or pluging it in. If I can find one for under 500, I am in, Sicce a remote car starter isn't a real good idea with a stick, or a diesel, this seems the best alternitave.

Regards
CB&Stoker

 

[Birdman]

IF you can find one under 500 i think a lot of us would like it. I know they work great on the buses i drive. Even if you start it when you first climb into the bus it still warms the interior much faster.

 

[C Brown]

Sounds great. I will be however installing the electric heater for now, and will be plumbing the EGR back into the exaust after the turbo, if the experiments go well. Currently at Idle, the EGR heat exchanger ouput is 170F almost imideatly from cold, and the water side is already plumbed into the heater core, to help warm the cabin. The bypass must shut off (nother EGR valve) if not at Idle, or the reduced boost makes a LOT! of smoke.

Regards
CB&Stoker