In Line Water Heater

[Josey1972]

My logic has always told me that keeping the coolant in the vehicle warm eases the strain on the engine and therefore adds to the life span of the engine. I'm in Indiana where it gets moderately cold and my Cruiser is parked in an un heated garage. Curious if anyone has had an experience or added one of these to your vehicle and general thoughts towards the upgrade.

 

[94SRUNNER]

What about installing a block heater?

 

[Josey1972]

I'm gas. So, i thought I wold cut the radiator hose and put one in.

 

[Douglas S]

I'm gas. So, i thought I wold cut the radiator hose and put one in.

Block heaters are commonly installed in gas vehicles. Probably the most common way to heat the coolant in a gas vehicle.

Inline heaters work too, as do the remote mounted recirculating type.

 

[ponytl]

a $20 magnetic oil pan heater should be all you need for a happy older engine... who wouldn't want to sleep in a warm oil bath

 

[Josey1972]

Good points. I was not aware of block heaters being put in gas engines. I was told years ago that folks in Cold climates do the coolant heaters in the radiator hoses because it warms the block as well and is an easier replace when it goes bad. I probably worry to much.

 

[dogfishlake]

I use a magnetic block heater, not sure how much benefit it is but I feel it's worthwhile.

 

[maxamillion2345]

I'd go with a block heater over the kind the split a radiator hose. Typically with any block heater, if you leave it plugged in for a night you can come out and any part of the block/heads will be pretty warm to the touch. They work well.

 

[ToothDr]

Had a block heater in my 1992 Toyota 22-RE truck. They just popped out one of the block freeze plugs and installed.