Engine Block Heater

[klaus]

Hello all. First post. Just took delivery of a 2009 GX and it was -15F here at my house last night and my new car will not start. I realize it is likely due to the cold. Since this is not *that* unusual, I think I will need an engine block heater. Does anyone have experience with one? Is there a factory heater? Do other people have trouble in cold weather? Thanks in advance!

[TheBundo]

Re: Engine Block Heater

That's not the issue. I believe that the CNG has a big issue below about 0 degrees F. I don't remember the exact details, it may be -4F, but at some point, I think you're hosed. Maybe someone else living in an affected area (I'm not) can chime in, or that remembers better.

Oh, Try the MANUAL, it may say

[Curtis]

Re: Engine Block Heater

Hello all. First post. Just took delivery of a 2009 GX and it was -15F here at my house last night and my new car will not start. I realize it is likely due to the cold. Since this is not *that* unusual, I think I will need an engine block heater. Does anyone have experience with one? Is there a factory heater? Do other people have trouble in cold weather? Thanks in advance!

Klaus, you'll find the answer to your question located on the sticker on the inside of your fuel door. There you'll find a warning label that warns of a cold start issue below -4 f. Refueling at these temps is also not recommended. I imagine that the 0-rings in the filler nozzle could be damaged if they're frozen.

Honda does offer an engine block heater as an option for the Civic. It would probably resolve the starting issue as long as you don't have to cold start away from home at such temps.

I wonder if a heating pad/blanket thrown under the engine would offer enough heat to help?

[larrycng]

Re: Engine Block Heater

If you see a lot of cold weather, you might want to consider and block heater and a oil dipstick heater. Eventhough you are using a low visocity oil, the quicker you can gets the oil flowing, the more you can reduce start up engine ware (which is when you will get the most ware). Synthetic oil will also help it does not become as thick at lower temperatures.

Larrycng

[TheBundo]

Re: Engine Block Heater

None of those things will warm the fuel or the fuel system components. My understanding, but maybe I'm wrong, is that the car is essentially unusable very much below -4F (Thanks, Curtis, for the number)

[Lancer Automotive Group]

Re: Engine Block Heater

We actually install lower radiator hose heaters for UTA CNG Vans here in Utah. The fluid is warmed in the lower hose and as the heated fluid raised it heats the block. We did it for $154 parts and labor. Let us know if we can help.

[larrycng]

Re: Engine Block Heater

None of those things will warm the fuel or the fuel system components. My understanding, but maybe I'm wrong, is that the car is essentially unusable very much below -4F (Thanks, Curtis, for the number)

Where I was going with this is that the regulator will be warmed by the coolant and may help heat the fuel during cranking and start up.

Larrycng

[Lancer Automotive Group]

Re: Engine Block Heater

Larry, you are correct they work extremely well for the dedicated CNG van that UTA has.

[CraziFuzzy]

Re: Engine Block Heater

I think a block heater would only be partially effective, as it wouldn't necessarily help warm the regulator all that much. Best bet would be a combination of a block heater, and a small circ pump on the coolant lines to the regulator (powered from shore power like the heater). This would keep the warmed water flowing through the regulator, and allow the regulator to still function, and get the gas to the engine for startup.

[Amfuel]

Re: Engine Block Heater

The lower radiator hose heater should do the trick in your mild climate. They are pretty cheap at the auto stores. You might also look around for a tank type heater that taps into the heater hose. I recall seeing them years ago but not sure if they are around any more.