Heated Dipstick

[Jim,Dundee,IL]

I was sure I saw a post frowning on the use of an electric dip stick for one or both, the eng oil and tranny oil. If so, why? Northern IL might get a plowable snow in the AM. Thanks, Jim

 

[Bob]

IF it's REAL cold where you are, dipstick heaters don't provide enough heat to be of much use.

On the other hand, some folks claim dipstick or other oil heaters "char" the oil on the surface of the heater.

We used to use a Deere 830 diesel with an oil heater as well as a block heater. The instructions said to plug in the oil heater at shutdown to keep the oil warm, as that was less likely to "char" the oil than trying to heat up cold oil, where it gets the oil HOT next to the heater, as the rest of the oil is COLD and THICK.

We just plugged in the oil and block heaters the night before we needed the tractor and never had any problems.

 

[Dell (WA)]

Jim.........mainly 'cuz it ain't the oil thickness that causes wintertime starting problems.

I advocate a magnetic block heater on the intake manifold for eazier winter time starting. Same reason I don't advocate radiator water heater, it don't heat the important thing, the carb. 2nd best trick for eazier cold weather starting is a battery heater pad. The battery chemical reaction slows down when cold, so a boost in battery temperature is productive.

Dad used to carry the battery into the house and put it on the floor next to the old coal stove in really cold Colorado mountains for eazier starting of the ol'6v flathead Plymouth back in the 40's........Dell

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have a crankcase hts. on my FORD equipment. Available at most refrigeration supply stores.

If'N you ask for a 110 volt. "bellly band heater" model CH101 for Tecumseh compressors, it should be large anough to put on the oil pan.

Years ago, I was in THULE Greenland. Up there all of the jeeps and other equipment had dip stick heaters. Trouble was, the dipstick htrs. didn't hold up wirth a darn. JUST HOPE.

Therefore, when the temps are 0 F. or below, forecast, I plug in my crankcase hts. and have no absolutely no problem. Just lay a hand on the crankcase and sure enough. They are warm.

For aircraft...preheat of the engines are really important. However, we used fuel induced to lower the viscositity of the oil. Along with heat from some portable "torpedo" hts.

Moral to the story: keep the equipment in a heated cover, or hangar.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Is only supposed to get down to 28 overnight.

 

[Danny in CO]

I've tried dipstick heaters for my 8N here in Colorado. No help at all!

 

[Sam#3]

I've always heard that it 'burns' the oil. However, Many years ago when I lived in the Denver foothills I had a Fiat that would't start below 15 degrees. It would take a good battery to it's knees. I started using a dipstick heater and it started every morning. I also never saw any problem with the oil.

 

[Scott(Ks.)]

When I had to have my 8N start to feed cattle, I had a lower radiator heater hooked to a drop light. I plugged the drop light into a heavy duty timer, then laid the light on the manifold. When I was done feeding, I would set the timer to start in 20 hours, having it start 4 hours before I needed the tractor. It never failed to start, however there was one time my 6 volt tractor started at 20 degrees below without a heater. I love this old machine.