Block Heater?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 522
From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 739
Likes: 328
From: WA State, USA
2014 Cummins, 2014 E250 Bluetec
Did you answer his question or recommend a pan heater? I may have missed it.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 117
Likes: 17
From: Colorado
ML350 bluetec and Mini Countryman S All4
Yeah and he was also asking about wattage which if you had quoted the entire line gave him what the MBs have stock, I also recommended him a good reviewed stick on heater which is better than the one he had listed (albiet more expensive).
Did you answer his question or recommend a pan heater? I may have missed it.
Did you answer his question or recommend a pan heater? I may have missed it.
Can anyone reccomend a wattage for a stick on style oil pan heater?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 522
From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,224
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Mechanic trying to be expert in thermodynamics is not building my confidence.
The pan heater will loose close to 50% of the heat for warming up the air below, so heating element inside coolant is the best, especially that German engineers made the fitting directly on engine block.
Warm coolant will be slowly moving up the block.
Efficiency aside, I don't think warming oil pan, or engine block matters much for the engine start.
We are talking warming up 10-20C up, what in engine work is nothing.
Either way, the engine block will be warmer for starting.
The pan heater will loose close to 50% of the heat for warming up the air below, so heating element inside coolant is the best, especially that German engineers made the fitting directly on engine block.
Warm coolant will be slowly moving up the block.
Efficiency aside, I don't think warming oil pan, or engine block matters much for the engine start.
We are talking warming up 10-20C up, what in engine work is nothing.
Either way, the engine block will be warmer for starting.
Last edited by kajtek1; Oct 19, 2023 at 10:21 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 117
Likes: 17
From: Colorado
ML350 bluetec and Mini Countryman S All4
I do NOT have an engine block heater, nor the bung to add one.
adding a coolant heater outside of the block is on the radiator side of the thermostat. Therefore heating the radiator before the t-stat will open.
I just want to heat my oil without burning it!
I just want to heat my oil without burning it!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 522
From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
I just want to heat my oil without burning it!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,224
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
I read a reply from firefighter about engine heaters.
Fire trucks are plugged in 24/7 as they need to take off with high speeds when starting and even the trucks have oil change done more often than in normal use, there are no signs of constant heating lowering oil quality.
Fire trucks are plugged in 24/7 as they need to take off with high speeds when starting and even the trucks have oil change done more often than in normal use, there are no signs of constant heating lowering oil quality.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 739
Likes: 328
From: WA State, USA
2014 Cummins, 2014 E250 Bluetec
Fire engines have the normal block heaters installed from factory....FYI
The manuals I have read for installed block heaters say to plug it in 2 hrs give or take before driving. This is why most people that I know have a timer plug so you set it for 2hrs before you leave for work or whatever. Saves money also since theres no point in running the heater all night.
The manuals I have read for installed block heaters say to plug it in 2 hrs give or take before driving. This is why most people that I know have a timer plug so you set it for 2hrs before you leave for work or whatever. Saves money also since theres no point in running the heater all night.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 522
From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
I recommended against a pan heater. I also think somewhere I said that if he's set on getting one the 250 watt version is appropriate. Without a block heater it's not going to be much help, though. Don't forget, there's still a slug of -20 degree oil in the filter housing...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,224
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Fire engines have the normal block heaters installed from factory....FYI
The manuals I have read for installed block heaters say to plug it in 2 hrs give or take before driving. This is why most people that I know have a timer plug so you set it for 2hrs before you leave for work or whatever. Saves money also since theres no point in running the heater all night.
The manuals I have read for installed block heaters say to plug it in 2 hrs give or take before driving. This is why most people that I know have a timer plug so you set it for 2hrs before you leave for work or whatever. Saves money also since theres no point in running the heater all night.
My 7.3l Powerstroke had it next to the oil filter... mounted in coolant.
Time of heating depends on the heater power. Those 200W heaters are design to be plug overnight.
When you have 700W heater, that's the one you want to run 2 hr before engine cranking.
My Sprinter has diesel hydronic booster heater. It require engine running and temp below 40F to run.
Strange logic to me as I can't use it to preheat the engine, but then it warms it up fast when running. That's how German engineers see it.
Last edited by kajtek1; Oct 21, 2023 at 09:47 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
Mud, go with the oil pan heater. Years ago, I had an old Suburban with a diesel and that 'ol 6.5 liter DEFINITELY needed help in the colder temps! Without it, that thing would fog the neighborhood and clatter like crazy. I initially had a block heater - and that was fine. But I later installed a pan heater and I like that better (so did pretty much everyone on the 65.L forum I was on). As you know 
heat rises - so you get not only the benefit of warmer oil fo reasier starts, but the heat will rise and start to warm the block, too. Eventually, I did plumb both the block an dpan heater's cord to one line so I could run both of them at the same time - I figured "why not?".
For reference, I used a Wolverine oil pan heater - they're more expensive, but they seem to be a better company - not a fly-by-night internet only company. It looks like they're now Phillips & Temro... but their US headquarters is in Minnesota... where I believe it gets quite cold!
I don't think there's any chance of burning the oil - there's way too much oil in the pan for that. And the engine is still subjected to the ambient temps. Maybe if you only had 16 ounces in there... but then you've got other problems! Get the biggest pad you can. It will probably be about 250W, though. But you could call them and ask them those questions to be sure.
I had a simple, outdoor timer that I used and would typically set that for about 3 hours before I would be starting the engine.
heat rises - so you get not only the benefit of warmer oil fo reasier starts, but the heat will rise and start to warm the block, too. Eventually, I did plumb both the block an dpan heater's cord to one line so I could run both of them at the same time - I figured "why not?".For reference, I used a Wolverine oil pan heater - they're more expensive, but they seem to be a better company - not a fly-by-night internet only company. It looks like they're now Phillips & Temro... but their US headquarters is in Minnesota... where I believe it gets quite cold!
I don't think there's any chance of burning the oil - there's way too much oil in the pan for that. And the engine is still subjected to the ambient temps. Maybe if you only had 16 ounces in there... but then you've got other problems! Get the biggest pad you can. It will probably be about 250W, though. But you could call them and ask them those questions to be sure.
I had a simple, outdoor timer that I used and would typically set that for about 3 hours before I would be starting the engine.
Last edited by DennisG01; Oct 29, 2023 at 12:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 117
Likes: 17
From: Colorado
ML350 bluetec and Mini Countryman S All4
For reference, I used a Wolverine oil pan heater - they're more expensive, but they seem to be a better company - not a fly-by-night internet only company. It looks like they're now Phillips & Temro... but their US headquarters is in Minnesota... where I believe it gets quite cold!
I don't think there's any chance of burning the oil - there's way too much oil in the pan for that. And the engine is still subjected to the ambient temps. Maybe if you only had 16 ounces in there... but then you've got other problems! Get the biggest pad you can. It will probably be about 250W, though
I don't think there's any chance of burning the oil - there's way too much oil in the pan for that. And the engine is still subjected to the ambient temps. Maybe if you only had 16 ounces in there... but then you've got other problems! Get the biggest pad you can. It will probably be about 250W, though
https://a.co/d/iylsL96
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 117
Likes: 17
From: Colorado
ML350 bluetec and Mini Countryman S All4
So I just got Vinnie (like Vinnie Diesel... lol) back from a local diesel shop. Had the 150K service done, including fuel filter and the oil pan heater. So craziest thing.... using the oil pan heater trips the oil temp sensor!!! If I use it too long I get a CEL...friggin annoying. Other than only using it when it is super cold, anyone have any recommendations? I am thinking to only use it when the overnight temp goes below zero and only for 30 minutes or so; which will be starting in about 8 days if the forecast is correct. I do not have my own code reader, so I cannot clear the CEL without driving out to the NAPA and fussing with them.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 739
Likes: 328
From: WA State, USA
2014 Cummins, 2014 E250 Bluetec
So I just got Vinnie (like Vinnie Diesel... lol) back from a local diesel shop. Had the 150K service done, including fuel filter and the oil pan heater. So craziest thing.... using the oil pan heater trips the oil temp sensor!!! If I use it too long I get a CEL...friggin annoying. Other than only using it when it is super cold, anyone have any recommendations? I am thinking to only use it when the overnight temp goes below zero and only for 30 minutes or so; which will be starting in about 8 days if the forecast is correct. I do not have my own code reader, so I cannot clear the CEL without driving out to the NAPA and fussing with them.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 117
Likes: 17
From: Colorado
ML350 bluetec and Mini Countryman S All4
When I called my mechanic about it, he said the trip was due to temperature differential between the jacket water and the oil temp, not like a high temp trip. Sounds to me like there is a maximum variation allowed, but that seems silly since some engines have a block heater which would heat up the jacket water... or that may be the clue. That the jacket water is programmed to be hotter than the oil, but not the other way around. But I am just guessing at things.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 739
Likes: 328
From: WA State, USA
2014 Cummins, 2014 E250 Bluetec
When I called my mechanic about it, he said the trip was due to temperature differential between the jacket water and the oil temp, not like a high temp trip. Sounds to me like there is a maximum variation allowed, but that seems silly since some engines have a block heater which would heat up the jacket water... or that may be the clue. That the jacket water is programmed to be hotter than the oil, but not the other way around. But I am just guessing at things.
