Winter is coming! - installation of oil pan heater
10-11-2004, 07:41 PM
#11
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<center><img src="http://gallery.rennlist.com/albums/albuq92/AudiS4_2964a.sized.jpg"></center><p>During the summer the plug tucks back in behind the grill (and I probably will use ties to keep it out of the way). During the winter it squeezes out along the edge of the grill. I can then either leave it sandwiched in such a way that the plug is held pointing out or tie it to the centre grill so it is a little out of the way.
Stephen
Stephen
10-11-2004, 07:42 PM
#12
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The manufacturer didn't seem to think so...
If it can stand the heater then I would think it could handle the oil pan. But I do plan on inspecting it carefully on initial use.
Stephen
Stephen
10-11-2004, 07:46 PM
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I didn't have any problems with stock fluid last winter.
I've just changed the fluid using Redline MTL. I drove it only for a couple miles on a warmish day but I'm expecting it to be about comparable to the stock fluid.
I don't know how much heat would get back to the transmission. On airplanes, people will often leave these things on 24 hours a day. Not sure if it would heat up the transmission if one did that.
Stephen
I don't know how much heat would get back to the transmission. On airplanes, people will often leave these things on 24 hours a day. Not sure if it would heat up the transmission if one did that.
Stephen
10-11-2004, 07:57 PM
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Southern New England .... I agree.
That's where I am. I do agree that they aren't "needed".
But if it means my oil temp comes up 5 minutes after starting the car instead of 15 minutes after, then I think it is worth it in terms of how much fun I can have with the car. Last winter everyone was bitching that their cars weren't getting up to temp before they arrived at their destination. What fun is that???
In aviation, a lot of people will use these sorts of things on their planes. It does make a difference to the starting ability and wear. Query, how much longer does a turbo have to last to justify paying $59 for an oil pan heater? :-)
Stephen
But if it means my oil temp comes up 5 minutes after starting the car instead of 15 minutes after, then I think it is worth it in terms of how much fun I can have with the car. Last winter everyone was bitching that their cars weren't getting up to temp before they arrived at their destination. What fun is that???
In aviation, a lot of people will use these sorts of things on their planes. It does make a difference to the starting ability and wear. Query, how much longer does a turbo have to last to justify paying $59 for an oil pan heater? :-)
Stephen
10-12-2004, 03:19 AM
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You're a funny guy Frank! :-p
But seriously though, the single most important reason for my buying an S4 was winter. If it wasn't for the snow, I probably would have bought a RWD car.
Stephen
Stephen
10-12-2004, 05:04 AM
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Last winter it was COLD. My oil would barely get to 175 after my 20 minute commute.
Would be nice if the oil pan heater warmed up the oil enough that I could at least have a little fun on the way into work. 
-Dave Pramanik
-Dave Pramanik
10-12-2004, 09:21 AM
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I suspect that the engine block is such a large heat sink that
an oil heater would have no significant effect. When I lived in Canada we used a block heater that was basically an immersion coil that fitted inside the radiator cap, and you relied upon circulation of the radiator fluid to heat the whole block. Without this it was sometimes hard to start cars when the temperature dropped below -30C.
Rory
Rory