Would an oil pan heater be beneficiary

[RMasters]

As some you might have noted, I am in the process of trying to aquire a 2011 Insight with some 28 miles on it.

A engine heater is a must (all of our vehicles are 'plug-ins'.

Now, do you think an engine oil heater would be beneficiary? I am asking because of the hybrid having to have 'operating temperature' to work most beneficiary. Would it even work considering the panels underneath, I mean, it will get very warm, if not hot, don't want any plastic parts to warp or get damaged.

I used a pan heater one on our van and it sure made a huge difference (even though I used a rather small one).

As you probably suspected, I don't have a garage, that's why the vehicles are plugged in. Warm engine, warm air and with the interior heater, no ice/snow on it.

Thanks all for your input.

[gilbertguy]

Sure, a pan heater will benefit any car in a very cold climate as it allows the oil to flow more easily upon start up, thus a lower viscosity. The engine heater normally is inserted through one of the freeze plugs and warms the anti-freeze thus warming the block helping the engine to start easier. A pan heater warms the oil allowing the oil to flow more easily upon start up thus reducing engine wear during a cold start up. Because the oil is warm there is also some block warming but not as much as the block heater provides.

[RMasters]

Originally Posted by gilbertguy

Sure, a pan heater will benefit any car in a very cold climate as it allows the oil to flow more easily upon start up, thus a lower viscosity. The engine heater normally is inserted through one of the freeze plugs and warms the anti-freeze thus warming the block helping the engine to start easier. A pan heater warms the oil allowing the oil to flow more easily upon start up thus reducing engine wear during a cold start up. Because the oil is warm there is also some block warming but not as much as the block heater provides.

The freeze plug heater is old style, I know you guys still use it here. Our current engine block heaters are tubes inserted in the block, the manufacturer already has a spot for it. Takes 15 minutes, some heat-transferring sealant and a socket, that's it.

Works like a charm, and if you have the directional flow of your dial inside the car set to the windshields, I already have 2 spots free from ice and snow, without an interior heater.

I was mainly wondering about if an oil pan heater would interfere with any parts installed on the Insight, like those plastic covers underneath.

Greetings!

[Cobb]

I am not 100% sure, but the oil pan maybe aluminum and you would need a stick on vs magnetic one. Id suggest the oem block heater for the engine and maybe the stick on pad for the cvt.

2 hours in freezing temperatures with the oem heater and my car is up to 100 degrees.

[RedDevil]

I want a block heater or such for my Insight, but can't source it.

That oem block heater, is that a Honda thing?
Do you have a parts number for it?

I don't know how it translates in Dutch; I bet that if I tell my dealer to get me a block heater, I'd get the same blank stare that I got when asking them for aftermarket HIDs and LEDs. (They triggered on aero wheel covers only to reveal theirs were a complete ripoff and not aerodynamic at all to boot. The garage work is fine though.)

[Cobb]

Here you go

2010 Honda NEW INSIGHT Genuine OEM Engine Block Heater on eBay!

Ebay item 320494236245

[RedDevil]

Thanks! At least I can show that to my dealer.
We run 230V over here. This 110V one would get the engine warm very quickly indeed, if my power fuses don't pop first. So I need one for the right voltage.
If I can get a 230V block heater at anything near the price of that one I'd be over the moon.

[freezin4]

This one on eBay is a 220v: Engine Heater Oil Pan Tank Heater 250 Watt 220 Volt | eBay

[Cobb]

The honda one is 400 watts.


Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

[RedDevil]

... or 1700 Watt when run on 230 volts.
The latter is stick-on. I prefer solid mounting and more power, but easy installment might tip the scale.
Thanks for the tips.
Ebay is a nice medium, just was outside my radar.