[Vwdiesel] Oil question

[Val Christian]

You guys are diehards.  In the days when I ran 20W-50 year round, the only 
preheat my Rabbits got was a torch on the oil pan at -20F.  Where I 
live that has happened about 5 days in 25 years.  When I run up to the
north country, then there are frequent nights where it will drop below
-30F.  Those nights I think block heater, and while it's only needed
for an hour (or two if windy), I usually simply leave it plugged in
overnight.  

I preheat my airplanes much more than my cars.  Their engines cost more.

If I have starting problems above 0F, it's likely an engine problem.
Below 0F, it could also be  a battery, or simply too cold for normal
life.  

Currently, I use 5W-30 in the 91NA in the dead of winter.  10W30 or 10W40
for the rest of winter.  

In my diesel tractor, I use 10W30 in the winter, and if it's a blasting
frigid blizzard, I leave it plugged in, because it doesn't have a blanket.
If there's no wind, and it's 10F (a more likely temp for heavy lake effect
snows), 1 hour of heat does the trick.  

I can see my Ford diesel tractor with a red plaid blanket vest on it's engine.
Like someone's lap dog going out for a walk.

Val



> 
> At 08:15 PM 10/26/05 -0400, you wrote:
> >I have equipped all my diesels with a freeze plug electric block heater, 
> >which takes up a huge amount of slack in the low temperature starting 
> >activity. A few hours of block heater lets it kick over most of the Ohio 
> >winter. Level two is to combine the block heater with a drop light snugged 
> >up to a side of the battery, to keep the electrolyte warm. On the coldest 
> >night, at ten below zero, I drape a blanket and tarp over the engine 
> >compartment to help keep the heat from the electrical devices focused where 
> >it will help.
> 
> Wow! I thought I lived in the sub-arctic!   
> 
> Those were the tactics used for arctic flying in the 1920's, # 80 single
> grade oil. The oil would freeze solid if left outdoors. plumbers fire pots
> and nose tents, Before Herman Nelson.
> 
> I use the block heater in winter, but not the other things. I find an hour
> is enough to get a summer start, a couple of hours ensures the heater puts
> out immediately.
> Right now, (around the freezing point in all languages)  I use the block
> heater  to get the first start of the day, after that, I'm ok, even fueling
> with 50% WVO. Eventually I will have to go back to straight dino for serious
> winter.
> 
> Sandy
> 
> 
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