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Engine Block Heater and oil weight for trip to the NE?
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=27161		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  suedely [ Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:48 am ]
Post subject:  Engine Block Heater and oil weight for trip to the NE?
So last winter in Austin, TX it got a little chilly and I went to plug in my engine block heater only to determine that mine didn't have one. Went to the manual and I thought it stated the heater only came with one of the gasser engines. However after reading some the the CRD forums it seems like some of ya'll have the heater. In this post http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=26981
it seems like the heater was an option on the CRD. I'm going to go poke around tonight and see if I can find the wire on mine. Anymore suggestions on how to determine if I have one?

On a similar but separate note, I'm planning on driving from Austin through Indiana and up to Cleveland for Christmas. Any suggestions on oil weight? I've been letting the stealership do my oil changes, but plan to do my own before I leave. I just was wondering if I should run a lighter weight oil for my trip to the chilly NE.

Thanks in advance!

-Wade
'05 CRD
w/ 2.5" Lift
Author:  litton [ Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:55 am ]
Post subject: 
The engine block heater is standard on the CRD but it's a little hidden on the drivers side aft and a little low. The plug is covered with a cap so it doesn't quite look like a cord....but it is there.

I was up in Montana and Idaho with low temp in the single digits and never needed to pug it in. Started OK but ran a little rough for the first 30 second or so.....kinda sounds like an old Powerstroke. I suspect the fuel heater real helps and the viscous water heater gave me warm cabin air in just a couple of minutes.
Author:  ATXKJ [ Mon Dec 03, 2007 11:01 am ]
Post subject: 
Hi Wade welcome to LOST

I think Cleveland just got an icestorm - are you sure you want to to that? :)

Mine came with the block heater and I had to look to find the plug (it's still there I never untied it)

If you've been doing dealer oil changes - they should have been putting in 0W40 Mobil 1 - so you can't get much lighter weight than that.
Several folks have gone to heavier heavier weights - Rotella 5W40 or Amsoil 15W40 - I don't know how those do in cold weather.
Author:  artickid [ Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
Zero here this AM, CRD was not plugged in and it started fine. I usually do not plug mine in until it gets below zero and have never had any issues.
Last winter the CRD sat at the airport for a week in sub zero temps, -17 when we picked it up and it started on its own, pretty rough but it did start. I have always run the Mobil 1 0-40 since new.
Author:  BiodieselJeep.com [ Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
Never really plug it in. only gets as low ar 5-10 F most winter nights. Takes 8-12 "rer-rer-rer"'s to start on the worst days, and I mix Biodiesel in at some proportion all winter. Wouldn't worry about it at all.

About ice for newbies: remember that 4 wheel drive is great for getting you (or others) out of a snow bank......but doen't change your odds much about getting into one! And Jeep-based-overconfidence (hey, its a risk that comes with the Jeep) will certainly help get you into one. Drive safe and happy jeeping!
Author:  dgeist [ Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
BiodieselJeep.com wrote:
Never really plug it in. only gets as low ar 5-10 F most winter nights. Takes 8-12 "rer-rer-rer"'s to start on the worst days, and I mix Biodiesel in at some proportion all winter. Wouldn't worry about it at all.

About ice for newbies: remember that 4 wheel drive is great for getting you (or others) out of a snow bank......but doen't change your odds much about getting into one! And Jeep-based-overconfidence (hey, its a risk that comes with the Jeep) will certainly help get you into one. Drive safe and happy jeeping!


To echo this, it has to get awfully cold to NEED a block heater. I think long-term, it'll reduce wear if you're startups are in cold temps for months at a time. I'd speculate you're more likely to experience fuel gelling than to have a day so cold that the glow plugs aren't enough to warm things up. http://www.powerservice.com/ makes some good additives that you can pick up at wallymart or better fuel depots which will add lubricity, improve cetane rating, AND lower your jell point. It never hurts to use those in the winter. It got me out of a jam with B100 in february in atlanta last year :)

Dan
Author:  BiodieselJeep.com [ Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
ps: Cleveland ain't the North East. The Midwest can keep it!
Author:  naturist [ Sun Dec 09, 2007 10:30 am ]
Post subject: 
I agree with the others: (a) you DO have a block heater, but the cord is a tad hard to find (it's strapped to the dipstick tube); (b) unless Cleveland suffers a MAJOR cold wave (well below zero when you try to start it) you won't even need the block heater, although it does start a bit quicker; (c) if your dealer has been using the DC required 0-40 or 5-40 oil, you are good to go -- don't worry about it.

Driving in ice and snow is 90% mental and 10% having the right equipment. You got the right equipment, don't let lack of knowledge about HOW to drive in ice and snow put you into the ditch upside down. SLOW DOWN, allow lots of room to stop, and be VERY gentle on the go pedal.
Author:  Jim Friese [ Sun Dec 09, 2007 6:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
I live in Florissant Mo. and it has yet to get cold enough for me to use my heater. I use Shell Rotella 5w-40 and it does
fine here in the winter. Jim :D
Author:  vtdog [ Sun Dec 09, 2007 8:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Don't worry about it. Those of us who live where its cold start our cars every day.
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