diesel and winter

[Speaking]

Hi,

I have a 92 golf diesel. Is there any product or method other than plugging it at night. My problem is that i don't have an outlet to plug my car at night. Any thing like solar panals or anything to get the block heater going.. Thanks.

[QuasarCav]

I dont think a solar panel has the flow to power a block heater.

[Speaking]

any other ideas...

[Weapon_R]

Does your car have trouble starting in the morning?

[CalgaryB5]

I suppose you have problems of hard start-up. Check the glow-plugs and the glow-plug relay. How is the condition of the battery?

[Speaking]

Battery, glow plugs and connecters OK 1 year old. Yes it is hard startups.... in the morning. When it is cold

[ricosuave]

sounds more like a timing thing to me if the glow plugs and battery are all ok. the starter plays an important role too.

try asking/looking around here (more specific info)

http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/

http://www.vwdieselparts.com/forum/index.php?sid=9f939cf0af499b263bc5ceb5e1e59d99

ricosuave

[gorillam]

Sounds more like a diesel.... They are hard to start in the winter period.

Ive had many diesels and especially my friends vw jetta even with glow plugs he still absolutely has to have it plugged in if it's more then -20

[gorillam]

as for the plugging in issue, I had this brilliant idea.

Plug an extention cord into your block heater plugin, run it inide the car to under the back seat, plug into a "motomaster eliminator" on a little timer box,

Cost tally, extention cord 10 bucks, motomaster eliminator 70, timer 10 bucks.


Problem solved, every night go inside and charge the eliminator.


God i'm smart.

[theken]

leave the thing running deisels dont burn much when idleing

[youngbex]

yea, remember diesels are meant to run and run for very long time/distances and diesel fuel has a problem when it gets super cold outside, my grandpa explained the WHOLE thing to the full detail i wish i could help ya but i dont rember any of the talk.

[CelicaST-162]

Another alternative is to buy a magnetic block heater that simply sticks onto the side of your block.

[gorillam]

Originally posted by theken
leave the thing running deisels dont burn much when idleing

youve gotta be kidding me, you know how much pollution that is, and how fast that car would get stolen.

Sure it doesnt use much when idling but that's is just dumb...:thumbsup:

[gorillam]

Originally posted by CelicaST-162
Another alternative is to buy a magnetic block heater that simply sticks onto the side of your block.

From what I understand a magnetic block heater still needs to be plugged in, that's the problem if you read the post. "he doesnt have anywhere to plug his block heater in"

and you put the magnetic block heater on the oil pan, that way the thing that needs to get heated (the oil) is :>

[Speaking]

Good idea for the motomaster eliminator.

My 2 more questions...... How many amps does a block heater use and how long does the motor master have enerey for...

[Xtrema]

Car block heater is anywhere from 700W to 1500W depends on the size of your block.

1000W/120V = 8.3A

Only this model of Motomaster Eliminator can output over 400W:
http://images.canadiantire.ca/media/images/PortablePower/PowerPacks/0111815_450_CC_2fdaf.jpg
1200W

@ 60Ah, it can sustain the this block heater for 7.2 hrs.

Nice idea but it won't be very practical. Plus, according to EPCOR estimate, running block heater will cost you around $1.20-$2/hr in electricity cost.

But I guess you can drag this to work and plug it in your office to leech electicity off the company. :D

[forkdork]

Do you cycle the glow plugs (switch on untill glow plug light comes off, turn off, turn on untill light comes off then start)?

[Speaking]

Yes about 3 times, before i start.

[ricosuave]

well, check on those other forums i sent you.

something isnt quite right.

[theken]

Originally posted by gorillam


youve gotta be kidding me, you know how much pollution that is, and how fast that car would get stolen.

Sure it doesnt use much when idling but that's is just
dumb...:thumbsup:
semi's do it all winter you know how much more pollution that is?? get a starter that starts your car every 2 hours for 10 min then

[ricosuave]

thats not the answer to his problem though.

although i did hear of a montreal man who left his jetta tdi running overnight whenever it dropped down to below -20

rico

[FiveFreshFish]

Originally posted by Speaking
Hi,

I have a 92 golf diesel. Is there any product or method other than plugging it at night. My problem is that i don't have an outlet to plug my car at night. Any thing like solar panals or anything to get the block heater going.. Thanks.

Solar panels aren't going to do anything at night. ;)

But a solar panel that plugs into your lighter socket will give your battery just a little more power when you're parked during the day at work or school.

[ricosuave]

ha ha how did we all miss that?

also, use a lower weight oil in the winter, say 0w30 or 0w40.

when the weather is better, maybe check and clean the starter, theres a good how-to on tdiclub.com, in the 101 section

rico

[gorillam]

Originally posted by theken

semi's do it all winter you know how much more pollution that is?? get a starter that starts your car every 2 hours for 10 min then

Ive seen them leave them going when they go in for food etc, just keeps the air up in the compressor, and no long warmup time.

But I havent seen them leave the trucks going all night.

If they do I hate them...

[FiveFreshFish]

^^^ When the driver is sleeping in the truck, the engine's left running all night.

[theken]

i work at pepsi and the trucks stay running all night, as soon as it hits -15 they dont get shut off

[talonboi]

goto a corner store or canadian tire, look for a diesel additive, sumthing like diesel turns into gel, it prevents it from happening

[Tyler883]

get a bus pass,

or get a longer extension cord,

or get a different car....

...thats my 2 cents worth LOL