Block heaters: which one.

Can someone explain the differences between these block heaters:
1. Oil heater
2. Coolant line heater and
3. Freeze plug heater
Which, if any, should I go with. I realize none of these does anything for my comfort but anything that would make a 36 year old jeep wake up easier on those freezing Pitt mornings...

Any forwarding links and all information will be much appreciated.
Thanks, Marc

 

I'm going to give this thing a try, cheap and well I won't be paying for the outlet it'll be plugged into.:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...tom-0/p-2005253/N-111+10201+600001648/c-10101
or is it just another stupid JC Whitney POS.
thanks

 

Up here in the Northeast you almost never see an "oil heater". When it's 10-20 below zero and the winds blowing, you want heat and you want it right now!. An oil pan warmer is only going to warm the oil in the pan, you'll still have to pump it up through that feezing cold cast iron block.A coolant line heater will warm the coolant in the head and block as it warms up, allowing almost immediate heat and defrost upon startup. An added benefit is the oil in the block is warmed up too through convection from the cast iron. Freeze plug heaters came out when late model engines became too complex to install your basic block heater. There basically isn't a viable location in the heater hose plumbing to install one, much less find room in the engine compartment. Basically you have to find the recommended freeze plug, knock it out and replace it with the heating element. Looks like a mini home hot water heater element. Access, leaks and lifespan are the major pitfalls to them. That said, I've used coolant line heaters for years on tractors, Jeeps etc. and would never look back. Put one on a timer for an hour before you have to leave and fire that puppy right up. HTH.

 

What about a garage?

 

Car port but no garage. When I get another truck the jeep will go in the garage but for now 4 months of winter for the jeep. Next question is where to purchase a good coolant line heater. Thanks for the info

 

same place:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...0101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=engine heater


Edit:

I have a coolant heater and it works well.....but I rarely have to use it

 

For your use just get the freeze plug heater. The coolant line heater is more trouble than it's worth. When I put the freeze plug heater on my 225 I was surprised at how easy it was.
I have the freeze plug heater and oil pan heater on all my rigs that I use in the winter. But then it was 27 below zero here yesterday.

 

Where did you get the freeze plug heater?

 

I think I got it at NAPA. Every auto parts store here has them. Heck, you can almost get them at Safeway, Fred Meyer, etc..

Sorry, that doesn't do you any good.

I think there are only a few brands. Order it from NAPA or JC Whitney. If you need it I can call a local NAPA to get a part number. Let me know.

Jerry

 

When ever the temp goes into the teens I use a dip stick oil heater $16 at Advance auto. I've always wanted to put in a block heater but it just hasn't happened.

Temps that low usually only last a couple of weeks.

Jay

 

Oil heater comes in several different types. The most typical is a pad that you attach to the bottom of your pan and the cord runs to the front. It keeps the oil warm overnight.

A coolant line heater circulates the antifreeze keeping it warm as it runs through your block.

A freeze plug aka block plug heater fits into the bottom of the engine.

While stationed in Alaska, my Wagoneer had a battery blanket, oil pan heater and a circulating heater for those wonderfully below zero Alaskan winter nights. There would always be a big bare spot on my hood surrounded by snow on the edges if it ever snowed and I was plugged in.

My Cherokee had a block plug heater, oil pan heater and a battery blanket.

 

That's true, a block heater isn't a substitute for a weak battery or need of a tune up....................... but it's nice to have heat and defrost right off rather than wait for it. Without one you have time for another while your Jeep "warms up.

 

Okay you guys convinced me. Since I have to go with the Mojave heater I may as well get an inline tank heater so when I do jump in that heater should work pretty quickly. I am going to forego the freeze plug heater and may consider running a oil pan heater in conjunction with a battery blanket if I'm having a hard time starting (if I'm plugging in one why not the other two?)
Now are there any detrimental effects to these things? The inline-tank type heater or the oil pan heater or the battery warmer?

 

I think you're worrying too much about cold weather starting. The average temps here and in Pburgh are about the same, and no one I know of uses a block heater. Just be sure to use a lighter oil; 10W40 or better 5W30.

 

Okay how about seat warmers? Ha