[V8] Block Heating

[Scott Simmons]

That DEFA unit looks nice, but requires "modification" of the upper 
radiator hose.  A very rare, pricey hose.  So unless someone has a 
cracked on they want to part with (??), then I'm not going to get a hose 
heater.  I'm avoiding freeze plug heaters too.  Has anyone had good luck 
wedging a block heater into the engine?  I know folks who've done it on 
other aluminum engines but they always had some nook that the heater 
would fit into. 

As for my exhaust... both mufflers are starting to rust out.  =\  I'd 
like to go the CAC route, but that'll be a project when all else is fixed.

~Scott S.

Bastian Homburg wrote:

>As I now have learned, this auxiliary heater wasn't available in North 
>America, for legal reasons. I believe this to be emissions-related, as 
>the heater unit has its own exhaust and its emissions are completely 
>unfiltered.
>If you would want to see the controls etc, its operation is included in 
>the owners manual - I have uploaded a .pdf version of  the '92 here:  
>http://www.audiv8.com/german/faq/faq_show.php?id=203. On page 74...
> 
>The battery is a 44Ah/420A Varta unit that provides enough power to warm 
>up the car twice a day for half an hour each turn over a four-day ski 
>trip without recharging. The OEM battery lasted seven years.
>The factory heater is beautifully integrated with the A/C system - it 
>first warms the engine coolant, which it circulates with the help of an 
>auxiliary pump and as soon as this is accomplished turns on the interior 
>blower and preheats the interior to the desired temperature. No more 
>scratching ice from the windows in the morning or when you come back 
>from the slopes in the afternoon! Also, fuel economy improves 
>drastically, as there's no more cold starts (the heater only consumes 
>about 0,13 gallons (0.5 liters) of fuel per hour of operation at full 
>blast).
>
>As you obviously can't get this in the US, I`d go for the  "DEFA 
>warm-up" electric heater. They have a kit specially made for the V8. 
>Check  their website for details: 
>http://www.defa.com/heating.php3?lang=3. These are widely used in 
>Scandinavia, with outlets everywhere...
>
>regards,
>Bastian
>
>
>Ed Dekker wrote:
>  
>
>>   The advent of 5W/40 oil has largely eliminated the need for 
>>headbolt heaters except possibly in Northern Canada and Prudhoe Bay 
>>Alaska.
>>
>>   In the olden days of the '40s and '50s in Northern Wis, we'd 
>>commonly replace a head bolt with a 110v block heater.  Much preferred 
>>over the hose inserts.  They had the headbolt length and thread (and 
>>strength) with the heating element extended into the water jacket and 
>>the 110v plug hanging out of the grill.
>>
>>   Motels in Canada and the northern states often had (and some still 
>>have) 110v outlets at parking spaces to plug the heaters in overnight.
>>
>>   I'm intrigued by Bastian Homburg's <b.homburg at web.de> description 
>>of the
>>optional factory auxiliary 12v heater (Webasto BBW 46) including a 
>>second battery in the trunk.  But I'd think the battery would require 
>>a daily charge.  That heater with a small charger might work on 110v 
>>power.
>>
>>    
>>
>
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