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ELECTRIC DIPSTICK/OIL WARMER

I used to drive a car that had a small 4 cylinder engine, and here in PA. the thing wouldn't turn fast enough to start, if the temp was in the lower single digits! The electric dip-stick saved me in really cold days. I'd leaave it plugged in all night, and next morning, that little engine would turn like a summer day! Never found any extra oil diminishing. I kept the plug in the grille, and i could just yank it off, get in and start it. And, it didn't take near as long to get heat from the heater! I had a 30 mile drive to and from work.
 
I think they are hard on the oil(gets it really hot
in one spot) but sometimes I have used them. They
work on anything with a dipstick, or a way to get
them in the oil. I like the magnetic ones better.
 
It should work as long as it will fit down the tube. BUT make sure it is long enough that the heating unit is completely in the oil in the pan.
 

Thanks fellas! If there are better ways, please share? I have it in my barn in Washington State, which is nothing like back east or my home of Michigan!
 
i would 10-30 mobil-1 synthetic. i use 15-50 in my oliver 77 and it starts no matter how cold it is. in 2002 when i was snowmobiling in canada my 2002 powerstroke set for a week @ -20f and it started without being plugged in, made me a believer. chuck
 
The wattage is low and the heat is applied to a
concentrated area. The oil can coke and the dippy
thingy burn out.
Is it better than nothing? Yes. Is it a whole lot
of assistance, no. On a borderline start, yes they
will make a wee bit of difference.Enough to start.
Just install a proper coolant heater and use
synthetic oil.
 
Years ago, I had a dipstick heater that I used in old flathead Plymouths. It helped a little, but was not nearly as effective as the headbolt heater I used to replace it. But I haven't seen a headbolt heater for sale for a long time.

For the OHV Ford hundred series, I have had good luck with installing lower radiator hose heaters. They install in that hose by cutting it in the right spot to place the heater as close to the water pump as possible, and then seal it in with hose clamps. You do almost have to drain the coolant to install the heater. But once it is installed and the coolant refilled, all you need to do is plug it in. (And remember to unplug it before you drive away!!!)

My lower radiator hose heater on my 641D will get the diesel engine warm enough to start like Summer if I plug it in for an hour or so at 0 degrees. Diesels start much harder in cold weather than gas engines. Good luck!
 
If the different types of engine heaters were rated according to how much they help, a dipstick heater would be at the bottom of the list. Dave
 
Those dipstick heaters don"t help much. Not enough wattage. I own a JD 3020 diesel that the previous owner had taken the oil pan off and took a franklin waterer heating element and epoxied it to the bottom of the pan on the inside. It heats up great and does not seem to harm the oil.
 
Those dipstick heaters don"t help much. Not enough wattage. I own a JD 3020 diesel that the previous owner had taken the oil pan off and took a franklin waterer heating element and epoxied it to the bottom of the pan on the inside. It heats up great and does not seem to harm the oil.
 
Changing to a thinner oil can make a huge difference with these tractors. Using 10W-30, my Ford will start easily down to at least -15F. (It has been converted to 12 volts.) With 15W-40 it wouldn't crank below zero.
 
A grid oil-pan heater is easy to intall and works very well. Attaches to the bottom of the oil-pan. You can get them up to 1000 watts.

http://www.padheaters.com/

But why bother? Install a 750-1500 watt coolant tank heater and it will heat that little engine up in an hour.

I had to install a pan heater on an 85 Subura I had, otherwise it would never start below zero.
I could not get a coolant heater installed, so I attached a flexible "pad" heater to the oilpan. 750 watts and it worked great for a few years until I junked the car.
 
Everything I've ever read says not to use a water heater element for heating oil. A water heater element can be used if you cut the voltage in half, ie/ use a 220 element on 110 current. Otherwise it too hot for oil. Dave
 
I bought one at the auto parts store and it is a magnet that attaches to the oilpan. Have used it a couple times when it was subzero and it worked well. Cost about $40.
 
(quoted from post at 19:57:23 12/09/10) I bought one at the auto parts store and it is a magnet that attaches to the oilpan. Have used it a couple times when it was subzero and it worked well. Cost about $40.
Click to expand...

Wow, how cool, I will check it out tomorrow at my local auto parts store! Thanks!
 
(quoted from post at 14:50:17 12/09/10) Everything I've ever read says not to use a water heater element for heating oil. A water heater element can be used if you cut the voltage in half, ie/ use a 220 element on 110 current. Otherwise it too hot for oil. Dave
Click to expand...

True.
Water carries more heat than oil so an oil heater needs more surface area per watt.
A 1000W 240V heater supplied with 120V will make 250W.
 
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