Heater; block, oil pan, rad hose?

[Paradis]

Hey there guys,

I'll admit i'm green to the diesel experience, but i'm trying to tackle this new Hilux of mine one step at a time.

So i was wondering what you fellow canucks have done to tackle the Heater situation,
As it stands i don't have a garage at the moment and from looking at the forcast, i have about 2 weeks to figure something out before i'm S.O.L.

So what have you guys found that works? I heard the block heater is impractical, and so for i picked up a small oil pan heater from gregg distributors. Have to put it on though.
I've also hear that a rad hose heater will work.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

[crushers]

lower rad hose... easiest, cheap and works like a charm...
which oil filter did you end up using?

 

[Paradis]

lower rad hose hey? is it cheaper than the 80$ i paid for the pan heater. I guess i'm gonna have to go return this thing and pick one up!

as for the filter, i had to bite the bullet and pay toyota $40 for the OEM one. I read on the Hilux UK forum that there is a fram one (PH5123) but i do not believe it is distributed locally here

 

[crushers]

lower rad hose heater $35

 

[canucksafari]

I have both lower rad hose and block heater. Why? Its damn cold in Abby.

Not quite. I first put in a block heater after I got my truck. I had to bend the element on the block heater to get it to fit. When I tested it, it started to smoke, so I was a bit worried the element was touching the metal water jacket. So when it got colder out, I drained everything again and bought a lower rad hose heater. Stupid me, I didn't test it out and zap strap the plug into the unit before installing it. When it got down to -10, I thought I had nothing to loose trying the block heater again. For whatever reason she doesn't smoke or get overly hot now. So, I'll use the block heater until I feel like draining the coolant again and seeing if I can get the inline heater to work.

Like Wayne says, the inline water heater is the easiest to fit. My block heater was a major pain and was only a few dollars cheaper. Just make sure you test it and zap strap the plug before you fit it. Also, fit it as low as possible to ensure you get a good convection current going.

You can still put your pan heater on. It will ensure your oil will want to circulate well at start-up. If I had one I would put it on. When it is cold, my oil pressure is pretty high until things get warmed up.

The next thing for me is an electric heater to warm up the cab and a couple of timers, so as not to waste electricity and $.

 

[Paradis]

Thanx for the input guys, muchos appreciated.


So, what i get from all of this is that the lower rad hose should do the trick. So the question is, will this oil pan heater really make a difference if i already have the rad hose heater on? Cause i can return it and save myself 80$, so please let me know if its going to make a crucial difference

 

[crushers]

i never liked the oil pan heaters... but that is personal choice...

 

[dieseldan]

80 bucks buys a lot of diesel/beer... I've only had lower rad hose heaters on my diesels - though my current truck had batt. blankets installed, not sure how usefull they are? I'm sure I'd survive w/out them..

 

[Paradis]

Well my only concern is i don't have a garage,

aso when you gents elude a lower rad house being sufficient, is that taking into account there will be 10-11 hour nights of -30 with just the rad hose plugged??

 

[cruiser_guy]

So the question is, will this oil pan heater really make a difference if i already have the rad hose heater on?

If you use the right weight oil for your expected temperatures you shouldn't need an oil pan heater. I have seen it once on my brother in laws Volkswagen Golf diesel when he got a quick cold snap with 20W-50 in the engine. We couldn't get the car to crank fast enough to start.

 

[crushers]

Well my only concern is i don't have a garage,

aso when you gents elude a lower rad house being sufficient, is that taking into account there will be 10-11 hour nights of -30 with just the rad hose plugged??

use semi syth oil...

 

[light_duty]

another vote for the lower rad hose heater. the added bonus is that you get heat in the cab quicker. When I'm plugged in, it always starts first crack even at -25.

 

[Paradis]

hey, while i've got a few of you reading this, what air filter are you guys using for the diesel hilux? another toyota issued part, or is there alternative?

 

[canucksafari]

I have a K&N in my Safari. Diesels like to breath and the K&N gives good filtration and allows more air volume. It was a big dif from the stock Nissan filter to the K&N.

 

[83bj60]

I had to bend the element on the block heater to get it to fit.

Bending the element is a no-no, the refractory material will crack and increase the risk of breaking the element or shorting it out. Bending can only be done at manufacturing time before the first firing while the material hasn't cured yet.

You can still put your pan heater on. It will ensure your oil will want to circulate well at start-up. If I had one I would put it on. When it is cold, my oil pressure is pretty high until things get warmed up.

I agree. Warm oil flows much faster. I'm glad I have an oil warmer.

The next thing for me is an electric heater to warm up the cab and a couple of timers, so as not to waste electricity and $.

I figure once you have heated the batteries, the block, the oil pan, the intake air, the transmission oil, the differental oil and the cab, you should be set ... Hmmm doesn't it suspiciously sound like a garage?

No kidding, but getting everything warmed up is going to add a lot of electrical load!!! I have installed a dual circuit electrical outlet at home to allow for the extra capacity once all my heaters are installed

 

[83bj60]

Well my only concern is i don't have a garage,

aso when you gents elude a lower rad house being sufficient, is that taking into account there will be 10-11 hour nights of -30 with just the rad hose plugged??

A standard 300W or 400W Rad hose heater is sufficient if plugged all night all the way down to -30C or so. Below the oil may get stiff and cause the engine to shut down after start. I strongly suggest you keep the oil pan heater, unless you are running 0W40 (I wouldn't unless I knew the engine clearances were right on spec and the oil pump in A1 condition)

Also, get youself some battery warmers. They use little power (80W each) and really make a big difference in cranking power.

 

[Paradis]

hmm, well i already returned my oil pan heater, and got the hose heater. my buddy might still have his pan heater.
I just replaced both batteries, so they're in good shape. It looks like there's only 2 days in the next 2 weeks were it will be quite chilly, so i'll continue to ponder my options and stick with the rad hose heater for now. i think the worst of it passed back in nov/ dec out here, though mid feb can be nasty

 

[Paradis]

I don't suppose anyone here knows what the size of the lower rad hose for the 2.4L diesel Hilux is do they, they had a hard time measure it at the shop when i was picking up the heater, he just guessed 1 1/2".

 

[crushers]

1 1/4"

 

[83bj60]

1 1/4"

Ok, and for the 1HD-T on the HDJ81? I'd like to avoid crawling under by -30... Pretty please!