Dipstick oil heater? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

aaron7 · 12-15-2005, 11:40 AM

I've heard of them for old cars, but can I get one for my 89 SR5? I'd really like to heat the oil than starting it dry on negative temperature days!

Flashmn · 12-15-2005, 01:52 PM

You arent starting dry in any case, oil sticks on surfaces. If you have light enough oil it will flow even if temperature is low.
Blockheater is more useful, it heats up the water.

aaron7 · 12-15-2005, 02:08 PM

Well, I have 10w30, and overnight the oil settles to the pan, so in the morning it is a dry start, not to mention like this morning when I started my car it was -4 degrees farenheight!

Flashmn · 12-15-2005, 03:50 PM

Wrong. Not all of the oil settles in the oilpan. Alot of it is still in the head and other parts of the engine, and it will stay there.

IF the engine would dry during the night, it would quicky become very loose as friction between metals would wear it out very fast.

10W- oils are good to -18C
5W are used to -30ishC

aaron7 · 12-15-2005, 04:47 PM

Oh... hmm. I guess I'll have to figure out what sounds like a leaf in the belt when it's very cold then...

Flashmn · 12-15-2005, 05:03 PM

Might be the idlerpulley bearing, etc.

94_Rolla_Guy · 12-15-2005, 10:35 PM

I once saw a magnetic heater you could stick on your oilpan,
i do think cold oil effects the engine, and do think it would be beneficial

Dave's · 12-16-2005, 01:22 AM

Warming the oil just makes it drain down faster. But it helps it flow better on start-up too. Dipstick heaters have/had a reputation for cooking the oil however. They make block heaters that screw into your engine which are much better.

***REN69*** · 12-16-2005, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flashmn

Wrong. Not all of the oil settles in the oilpan. Alot of it is still in the head and other parts of the engine, and it will stay there.

IF the engine would dry during the night, it would quicky become very loose as friction between metals would wear it out very fast.

10W- oils are good to -18C
5W are used to -30ishC

What do you mean by "good" to -18C?? is that how cold you can use them and then it becomes too thick?

Flashmn · 12-16-2005, 01:48 AM

-18C is the limit for 10W then it becomes grease. If temps go lower, go for 5W.

Quote:

I once saw a magnetic heater you could stick on your oilpan,

And military trucks here have a holder for a gas blowtorch to heat the oilpan.
But seriously, from my experience, the only working device is the block heater.

toyotaspeed90 · 12-16-2005, 03:11 AM

you can get dipstick heaters that are like 200W..... IIRC the ones i sell at my work are flexible enough for a 4afe/4age

barthmonster · 12-16-2005, 03:37 AM

I too prefer a heater that heats the water, either a freezeplug deal or inline radiator hose heater. That way your oil AND the darned heater are kept warm