Oil pan heater/pre-lubers/espar/block heater/idling

imported_ · 01-23-2003, 15:37

With all this talk about cold starting (-20 and colder) what is the best for our trucks. Oil pan heaters, pre-lubers, espar/webasto heaters, block heaters or idling for hours on end

??

Not just what works, but what is the best.

On my Landcruiser I added an in oil pan heater much like a block heater. It will burn the oil at cool but not cold temps. I don't think it helped much in extreme cold starting. To help the situation I added a home built preluber/oil circulator. This stopped the overheating of oil and warmed the block. I also run two 800w block heaters. The stick on oil pan heaters are great for tractors on the farm but for my driving conditions they just don't last. I have used the magnetic heaters with good results, but they are a pain to put on and off.
I would like an espar heater. Does it totally replace the need for the block heater. Do guys with them run them instead of plugging in or only when a plug in is not available? It doesn't solve the cold oil issues.

Is anyone using a pre-luber on a dmax.

Is cold oil hitting a warm block an issue? I am running delvac 1 5w40 synthetic and it is still pretty snotty at -40c

If there is a question I forgot to ask pls let me know.

I think building a heated garage may be a better solution

[ 01-23-2003: Message edited by: Big Blue ]</p>

**mackin** · 01-23-2003, 16:09

Good question Big Blue I was getting ready to ask myself......

My thought are the Oil Pan heater would be a better choice seeing how warming the oil is better for the engine as it will flow quicker and efficient on cold start up....But it doesn't appear to be popular....

So tally up them results.......

MAC

[ 01-23-2003: Message edited by: mackin ]</p>

**stretch** · 01-23-2003, 16:18

I don't use a pre-luber on my truck due too fears of voiding my warrenty, but my father has one on his car and it works great. Basically he can build up 60 psi of oil pressure before he even cranks it over and it also has a timer set up too continue circulating the oil after shutdown for turbo applications. I will install one on my Dmax after the warrenty is over. Its a crime that vehicles don't come with pre-lubers since the bulk of the bearing wear is at start-up.

**HDLD** · 01-23-2003, 16:53

I think what would be best comes at a price. The Espar with remote and the ability to also pre-warm your cab has to sit amongst the best solutions. Unfortunately, they don't have a unit that will work with 03's yet for the cabin pre-heat, otherwise I might consider one.

I would guess there aren't many who are unable to hook up their block heater at home. When it's really cold, I take mine off the timer and just plug it in when I get home, leaving it on for the approx. 12 hours till it's started again. Lately, the glow plug light is still coming on for about 5 seconds despite having done this.

Problem is that at work, I can't plug in so I just wait till the glow light turns off and cycle through it at least one more time and then idle till the amperage returns then take it easy (RPM's under 2k) till it's warmed up. Overdrive isn't available for a few minutes and I haven't done any oil analysis but I think this is a fairly safe approach.

If I had an Espar, I would use it all the time, even when I could plug in. From Espar's web site:

"A water pump circulates the water over the heat exchanger and heats the coolant. The hot coolant then flows through the engine and vehicle's heat exchanger."

What I'm wondering is what effect the above has on engine oil. I would think it would at least get slightly warmed in the process as well and certainly would get to operating temp much quicker in a pre-warmed engine but perhaps someone could clarify this further.

Jake99Z71 · 01-23-2003, 18:30

I've been using an Espar Pre-Heater on my Dmax since November. I use it all the time to pre-heat the engine. I don't use the cab heat as I want the engine as warm as possible. I don't know about the oil but could look into it. It's nice seeing the coolant temp. being 180 at start-up.

**rtquig** · 01-23-2003, 19:01

Espar seems like the way to go. Does anyone have a ballpark figure on what they cost? I looked on their web site, but they did not mention price or if they had one for the Dmax. They did mention they had one for the Ford and Dodge trucks.

**bearman** · 01-23-2003, 20:31

I have a Wabasto heater in mine and would never own another diesel without one. Mine heats my interior and coolant at the same time. Yesterday morning it was -34c (damn cold), heater timer set for 6 AM, at 6:45 I started it up, no glow plug light and instant oil pressure, interior was warm and engine @ 165F. I work at a job where I am sitting on locations all day sitting in my truck and working on my computer (oilfild consultant) and the wabasto is great, instead of ideling the truck for 8 to 10 hrs per day, I shut the truck down and use the Wabasto for 2 to 3 hrs at a time to keep the engine and me warm, then fire up the truck and use high idle for 30 min or so to keep the battries charged up And best of all I never have to worry about forgetting to unplug the truck and dragging cord around behind me

Cheers
Bear

**deerhunter7** · 01-23-2003, 20:49

This is my second winter with the Espar Heater . Bought from lubespecialist.com . Greg had the best price by far . They don,t have a kit made up for the Duramax like a Ford or Dodge but the general kit has all you need to install. Greg also was a great help in any install questions. Will use the block heater if it's in my unheated garage. When I need a fast warmup I use both at the same time. To me an engine preheater is the way to go..

I also think it must warm up the oil a little to spin as fast as it does. Also after an hour doesn't use the glow plugs..

**George Gozelski** · 01-24-2003, 01:40

Those heaters like Espar's are okay, but a cheap oil pan heater from NAPA is what your engine really needs. All you're doing by heating your block is just that, your oil is still a mass of cold goo!

LanduytG · 01-24-2003, 04:49

Esapr is the only way to go. I have had one on my 95 for 4 winters and would not leave home with out it. As for heating the oil, if it does its not much. But if you are using synthetic oil then the cold is not that big of and issue.

As for price you get what you pay for. Jan their was a price increase which made the whole kit $995. But once you have one you will never go without.

HDLD
Whats different in the 03 that the Espar won't hook up to the cab blower?

Greg

**HDLD** · 01-24-2003, 16:20

Greg, here's my e-mail to Espar sent last Oct 15:

Looking at your product but see there is no model specific for the 2003 Silverado 2500HD Duramax, let alone the potential complexities of dealing with the dual-zone automatic climate control.

I realize this is not a showstopper but would prefer something with a cleaner install. Do you have anything in the works for this truck and if so, any idea as to an availability date and would it work with the climate control system?

And here is the response I got from their Engineering Manager the following day:

Unfortunately, you are correct. At this time Espar does not have a kit specific to the 2003 Silverado Duramax. And yes, dual-zone automatic climate control does complicate the installation. Espar is presently working directly with GM to develop a factory and aftermarket kit for your truck, but that doesn

mdrag · 01-24-2003, 16:59

I installed a 250W PROHEAT oil pan heater #512 from Kennedy ($50) just before the holidays. The block coolant cord was removed from the split loom, and both plugs were brought out near the passenger side tow hook. Preheated oil and coolant...works like a charm

for those times you can plug in.

Kennedy has the PROHEAT pan heaters listed on his website under the TRUCK ACCESSORIES link. Very easy to install as well.

If I could only rationalize buying a diesel fired system here in OK

**mackin** · 01-24-2003, 18:22

Sounds reasonable......I'm not looking for HEAT for myself,as High Idle ,10 Mins, a grill cover ,and heated seats, works for me.....

Running synthetic, but warm oil flows efficiently more so then cold at start up where it is critical.....Works for my Duramax.....

MAC

[ 01-24-2003: Message edited by: mackin ]</p>

imported_ · 01-24-2003, 19:57

I have used glue on oilpan heaters in the past, but on any truck that i have used them they haven't lasted more then a year. great for city driving, not so good during hunting season

Greg, is the $1000 price tag for the espar include the timer and is it the hydronic 4 or 5

Would I be able to run a aux coolant 12v heater in my box with it? I have a 10"x10" bus style heater that I would love to use for winter camping and keeping the dogs warm. Just an idea [img]tongue.gif[/img]

**bearman** · 01-24-2003, 22:26

Big Blue
Muarrys Chev installed my Wabasto here in Medicine Hat, and Taber Diesel in Taber AB sells and installs Espar. The only reason I had the Wabasto installed is Murrays wanted to send a tech to Calgary to learn how to insall them, so they borrowed my truck for the day and gave me a loaner. In exchange they installed the Wabasto at no charge

. Wabasto will run you about $1800 Can. installed and espar will run you about $2000 Can.
Cheers
Bear

imported_ · 01-24-2003, 22:41

Thanks Bearman,

Where did they install the unit, The only one I have seen was hanging on the frame rail (shudder) Not the place for me. I would like to do the install myself and save some $$$$. It wasn't to bad on my Landcruiser and with the help of the guys on this site it should be a snap.

Kennedy · 01-24-2003, 22:57

If you scrub the oil pan heater off of the Dmax, you are in serious trouble

as it is tucked up above a cross brace...

LanduytG · 01-25-2003, 06:00

Big Blue
The price tag includes the 7-day timer and all parts to install. Most guys with the Duramax mount them on the inside frame rail. This is not a problem it is tucked up out of the way. Yes you can run the aux heater as well. The kit I sell is the D5 Hydronic it is the same price as the D4 but 40% more btu's. Both heaters are the same physical size.

Greg

Thread: Oil pan heater/pre-lubers/espar/block heater/idling

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