New Insight owner, longtime lurker, new member

[aisbell]

Originally Posted by Crawlerado

Just installed a block heater yesterday and am running a test today. I'm working out a 2 vs. 3 hour on time, so far 2 hours got me to 120F which drops to 110 when running.

Of course, different block heaters have different wattages and therefore different coolant heating speeds. But 3 hours seems like a long time unless the ambient temperature is really low. One problem with the Insight engine block is that it is aluminum which conducts heat out of the coolant quite well. So leaving a block heater on too long in effect is just heating the air around the block thus wasting energy. You might discover than anything over 2 hours is a waste of energy even in really cold temperatures. At least one Insight owner has covered his engine with a removable insulation blanket to reduce heat loss while parked.

If your coolant doesn't reach full operating temperature of ~195º, you need to install a radiator block to prevent heat loss from the radiator in cold weather.

[Crawlerado]

I've settled on 2.5 hours, just going to set a timer. I like the blanket idea!

I get to 195~ regularly after a few miles, I won't have to start blocking for a bit I hope. As I type this it's Nov. 30th and 65 in Denver 0_0

[aisbell]

Originally Posted by Crawlerado

I like the blanket idea!

Check out several engine blanket implementations in this thread.

[Mountain driver]

Originally Posted by aisbell

Check out several engine blanket implementations in this thread.

Art,

I checked out your link, very interesting photos of engine wrapping and discussion of radiator blocks. I'm currently experimenting with a radiator block (Insightful Trekkr 6" x 17" cardboard) with a grill block already in place.
Anyone using blanket in addition to grill and radiator block? Thoughts on using all 3 during single digit F temps and below?

One comment on the thread really caught my eye was about the ticking time bomb and risk of head gasket. So far my dash temp display seems to react fairly well, including on mountain climbs on the interstate (6 bars on temp indicator is most I've seen). Anyone aware of an overheat happening to someone with such mods?

Also noticed Eli was curious about controlled louvers for temp control. Any more discussion on those? (Big rig trucks have had them for ages).

..Bob

[theaveng]

If I had know you had a Civic Hybrid I would have bought it from you, and paid $1000 more than the dealer tradein. (Assuming it had lean burn and stick shift.)

[aisbell]

Unfortunately, the stock coolant temperature gauge is so insensitive that I've read of overheating occurring before the temperature gauge indicated a high coolant temperature. The coolant temperature display on the OBDIIC&C gauge seems to display a much more accurate coolant temperature.

[Crawlerado]

Originally Posted by theaveng

If I had know you had a Civic Hybrid I would have bought it from you, and paid $1000 more than the dealer tradein. (Assuming it had lean burn and stick shift.)

It had both. I liked the car fine except for the smoke. The really sad part was I sold it to a guy at FE Warren who's "commute" was 2 miles a day.