As all have told you a block heater is the only to go and I have used them since the late 60's. Easy to install and works very well, think about a heater on the pan on a 4wd for a while not for them working well but hitting ice, snow whatever.

 

in my experience

oil pan heaters work perfect to -51f to help start the car, keeping the oil warm

block heaters do the same, but you get interior heat much faster.

oil pan heaters on my semis at work, and on my diesel cruze (has factory electric heat until coolant is warm enough) and block heaters on all my gas vehicles.

 

Lol....are you being serious? That is a bizarre excuse to go for the 2nd and 3rd best options instead.

 

Well, there is that drained coolant boogi man!!!

As service manager at a Jeep dealership for 12 years, we NEVER had an issue with burping cooling systems. Didn't even do it.

 

Agreed.

Op if there was a better reason, performance or significant savings then sure I see. But not wanting to drain the coolant for the much better option for only a few bucks more? Come on now.

 

Don't need the hate guys lol just looking for a second option other then block heater that's it thanks.

 

Don't interpret it as hate haha. All were saying is all signs point to block heater. It's the best option and doesn't cost much more. We also don't see why you don't want to drain your coolant. That's what seems is holding you back from it.

 

Just looking for a quick slap on and go. If I did do a block heater, what brand is suggested?

 

Kat's

 

So here is a vid.. My 95 has sat outside for a few days in single digit weather.. The 95 has been started like this outside since 95, Its still kicking.. Some good old 5w30 and good wix filter you are good to go..You are over thinking it, you don't live in Alaska north slope.. But if you want and think you need one that's cool, but trust me you will be fine with or without one..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gl6...ature=youtu.be

 

I know this is a super old thread, but it's the first one I read on the subject, and it's the only one I had to read to get it. Block heater it is. My drive to work is barely 15 minutes and I would like at least SOME of it to be warm & comfortable on cold mornings at 6am.... I do get to dang near 210 or so, prolly more like 190-200, so i'm not too worried about the short engine cycle and not getting to temp... but having warm air in just a couple minutes rather than nearly 15 would be awesome.
Plus it IS winter and I figure someone may be curious about block heaters... so I thought I'd bring it up.

 

My mother as a child in the 40,s would start a small fire underneath the tractor to heat up the oil in the pan to help it start. Could try that LOL

 

We have a remote communication site with a backup generator made from a Ford 2.x liter engine. It has a coolant heater on it. I think it is about 500 watts 24x7 going straight from the power meter to the outdoors, but it does make that gerneator start in under 1 second and get right up to speed at load.

The energy price would be similar to using a chainsaw to open a wall in your house, park inside, and hang a blanket over the hole.

 

[QUOTE=doublechaz;3666585]We have a remote communication site with a backup generator made from a Ford 2.x liter engine. It has a coolant heater on it. I think it is about 500 watts 24x7 going straight from the power meter to the outdoors, but it does make that gerneator start in under 1 second and get right up to speed at load.

The energy price would be similar to using a chainsaw to open a wall in your house, park inside, and hang a blanket over the hole.

Sheesh it made that big of a difference on your power bill? I guess 600watts over several hours... I used them on all my Cummins and I don't remember my power bill sky rocketing.... Maybe I didn't look at the bill enough.... hahaha. Hmmmmmm......

 

If my XJ was a POS like a lot of them, then I would consider it. But..... I'll post pictures tomorrow (Friday)