Warming up a car?

KnifeAddictAK

KnifeAddictAK

Joined
Nov 17, 2003
Messages
13,507
Any thoughts on this? :D Basically when I woke up this AM, it was -15* outside and tonight it's gonna be -30* for the low. :eek::grumpy:

Car won't start, battery is probably drained, no garage to put it in, no block heater, no battery blanket.... So any ideas on how to warm up the engine to get it started? :confused:


On a Busse side note, got a fun artic piece that I still have yet to photograph


.
 
No idea on the car but would love to see the Busse pics.

If I lived where you do I wouldnt have to worry about the car because when I stepped out into cold like that I would lock up.
 
Remove the battery at night and store it in the house in a safe warm place, maybe even put it on a trickle charger to make sure it has a full charge, then put it back in the car in the morning. Or do the above and go buy a cheap cloth car cover to at least break the wind a little.

Good luck and stay warm.
 
Large tarp and a herman nelson heater! Tarp up the front end and run the exhaust pipe from the heater under there.

Thats what I use when it warms up to -30... We are suppose to be between -40 and -50 for the next week here. :grumpy:
 
What Max said is your best bet,,,,,,,, bring the battery in the house and trickle charge . Possibly purchase some sort of aftermarket block heater for future use. Of Course having a semi new good quality battery to start with will help greatly . My person recomendations for batteries are the Diehard Gold or an Interstate,,,,,,, both made by Johnson controls and the only ones I trust. In the extreme temperatures your describing cheap batteries would'nt turn over a go-cart. Good luck an stay warm !!!
 
Hey Bryan, Chuck says to put a space blanket on top of the motor and put a cheap electric space heater underneath, blowing on the oil pan.

My suggestion -- Don't leave the house, then you don't have to worry about the car!

Take care & stay warm with lots of hot cocoa.
 
Do you have a place to plug your car in? If so, I would spend the few bucks to get a battery blanket, block heater, oil pan pad, etc. It really is worth every dime.

That's once you get it started, of course. ColdOne is right on to do that. That's about what the pro's would do if you called them in.
 
Another thought, although it depends on where you live.

My bro-in-law works on the north slope. They don't ever shut their vehicles off, the entire winter. Ever!!!
 
I wish I had some words of advice...I start my car from inside my house:D

gotta love the automatic start button:D


Take care my friend and stay WARM................
 
Put the lightest recommended oil in during the cold part of the year.

Keep a spare battery on a trickle charger and swap them out as needed.

I think the best thing would be a oil pan warmer if you don't want the expense of having a freeze plug removed and a block warmer installed.

Or a bullet heater turned on 20 minutes before you plan on starting it.

Or , Move to Florida :)
 
Bryan, head over to a auto store and pick up a block heater or even one of those electric oil sticks you put in and hook up a timer box to it. Make sure you have a new or near new battery with at least 900 CCA to get a great turn over. If you can get it in a garage would be the best. Even point the front of the car to the sun up. Cold, cold weather bites for sure! Years ago I was on a job up state where we had to let two of the Mack trucks idle all night for a 4:00 am start up. Even one time used a smudge pot (like torch) sit under the engine with 30 degree's below.


Good Luck and Happy New Year!

Jules
 
We just got through a few weeks where the day time high was -30c... All you need is a block heater and 5w30 oil. You shouldn't need to keep a good battery inside, or warm, or on the charger except for when its around -40. I remember a few years ago it was -38, didn't plug my truck in and only had 10-30 in it.. was also carbed lol ... it fired but the gear oil in the trans was so thick it kept stalling the engine in nutral every time I let the clutch out.
 
Figured I should chime back in here since folks are offering long term advise and not just for this one situation. ;)

Oil pan heater, block heater and coolant circulator if you can get one is all you need for temperatures down to -40. A battery blanket can also help, however a decent battery doesn't seem to need it as long as you have the other stuff. I have been able to start vehicles with the block, oil and battery heaters at temperatures down to -70f. I do leave them running at that point though. :D
 
westllen said:
Bryan, head over to a auto store and pick up a block heater or even one of those electric oil sticks you put in and hook up a timer box to it. Make sure you have a new or near new battery with at least 900 CCA to get a great turn over. If you can get it in a garage would be the best. Even point the front of the car to the sun up. Cold, cold weather bites for sure! Years ago I was on a job up state where we had to let two of the Mack trucks idle all night for a 4:00 am start up. Even one time used a smudge pot (like torch) sit under the engine with 30 degree's below.


Good Luck and Happy New Year!

Jules
Click to expand...

Now HERE is some very sound advice. I'd listen to this fellow! :D

Glad to hear from you, even sideways, Mr. J. :thumbup: My continued wish that the holidays see you and Janie doing very well, indeed.

Oh ... and Brian ... stay out of that nasty weather. It's warm indoors, eh? :)
 
ColdOne said:
Large tarp and a herman nelson heater! Tarp up the front end and run the exhaust pipe from the heater under there.

Thats what I use when it warms up to -30... We are suppose to be between -40 and -50 for the next week here. :grumpy:
Click to expand...

Man...how do you guys function in that kind of cold?? I can remember once it got down to -30 here in Indiana and everything was brought to a grinding halt...fast.
 
Once road my motorcyle in real nasty weather,,,,was 5 degrees out with 30 mph winds,,,,, windchill was around -17 . Was a short ride, about 5 or 6 miles .Stopped @ the first Dunks I came to. Hot coffee is a gr8 handwarmer. Could'nt imagine bein out in the -30 stuff . Dangerous weather.
 
ceiw said:
Man...how do you guys function in that kind of cold?? I can remember once it got down to -30 here in Indiana and everything was brought to a grinding halt...fast.
Click to expand...

I remember that year! My tractor broke down on the interstate... had newspapers stuffed in all the cabs holes to block the cold air..... had to tear up the rubber floor mat and light a small fire on the cab floor until (no air seat on the other side) someone pulled over to check on me.
Luckily I was prepared and in full snowsuit gear.
 
ceiw said:
Man...how do you guys function in that kind of cold?? I can remember once it got down to -30 here in Indiana and everything was brought to a grinding halt...fast.
Click to expand...

Yep, what a nasty winter that one was. At least we didn't have to go out for a few days!
 
Bryan,

I ride this time of year and do with my bike what I did with my cars when I was thriftier.

I throw a blanket over the motor and put a drop light (trouble light, :confused: ) with a 100 watt light bulb (turned on) under the engine.

On the car, I put the light down on the A-frame near the block and throw the blanket over the whole mess, worked down to -23 once. Helps if you do it while the engine is still warm. Drive it then tuck it in for the night.

A block heater's better, but in a pinch.

and what Jules said !
 
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