winter option - remote start NB tdi

[Curtis Murphy]

I'm trying to gain a couple of minutes warm-up time when the mercury drops to lake bottom.
Is there a remote start with a timer for
GP warm up.

 

[GeWilli]

you'd gain 1-2 minutes at most. These cars warm up so slowly when idling that there isn't much point to remote start them.

heck they cool off when idling in the winter. Seriously.

best bet is to just start it and drive gently. Much better for the engine and warms up much faster.

Keeping the rpms below 2200 will keep the coolant and engine glow plugs on (and turning the fan on LOW with the heat selector all the way up) will warm the coolant up pretty darn fast.

I haven't heard of one - but mostly I htink it is a bad idea and a waste of $$ JMTC

 

[C Brown]

The high end ones (can't think of the name) at least 200.oo have the ability to work with glow plugs. But, they also require an automatic. Not too safe to remote start without a foolproof neutral safty switch..

CB

 

[LanduytG]

Yes you can remote start a diesel. The system that I know does it is the Python, also another on is Sidewinder. These are made by the same company. I was going to have one installed on my 95 GM 6.5TD but I got the Espar heater instead. I know a lot of guys that have these on their diesel pickups.

http://www.directed.com/security/python/pyth_rs.asp
Greg

 

[Curious Chris]

If you want a warm car right away, install RedGolfTdi"s coolant heater setup. It is sweet and looks like an OEM install when you are done. He uses a Zerostart coolant heater, and they are well known for their reliability.

So with this setup installed, you get in your car, turn the key to the glowplug run position and you notice that the engine temperature is just about 190 F, start the car and drive right off you have heat. Ah, start the car and let it idle, the temperature drops and drops.....

Look at : http://forums.tdiclub.com/NonCGI/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000640 where Terry is selling these now!!

 

[Compression Nut]

Greg - Does the smaller Espar heater fit a TDI?

-Brett

 

[LanduytG]

Yes it will. Just go here to my web sight and it will give you the spec. http://www.lubespecialist.com/espar/espard4.htm . I had and extra one in stock last winter and was going to put it on my 99 NB, but I ended up selling it before I got that far.
This is the install I did on my 95 GM 6.5TD a few winters ago. http://www.lubespecialist.com/espar/install/Espar.htm I love this thing. With only a 6 quart system on the TDI it would have it warmed up in know time at all. It will have a 6 gallon system up to 130* in about 15-20 minutes when it is zero out.

Greg

[ September 14, 2002, 20:07: Message edited by: LanduytG ]

 

[Curious Chris]

I looked into the Espar heater and it seems to me it was in the $500-700 range. I know that it doesn't need an AC plug in, but the coldest temperatures are generally at night when you have AC available.

Daytime temperatures where I live are rarely below -20 F and my TDI has always started just fine. Nighttime temperatures do drop to -35 F so I have the RedGolfTDI coolant heater for that, and the price is about $100.

 

[Compression Nut]

Hmm.....More toys to talk the wife into

It would be pretty neat. I'm just afraid that I would like it so much on the TDI, I would have to get one on the truck, too...

-Brett

 

[Compression Nut]

And it doesn't get *all* that cold here in Michigan...

 

[Curtis Murphy]

The temps. here is not my concern , only when i
make the 14 hour drive north will i encounter
extremes of wind, snow, temps, rims turning on
the tires kind of fun . I would use an AC timer
110 in house to warm coolant aprrox.65 min.
then put the fire inthe hole. The coolant heater set-up could suffice. the NB is Auto .