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[I_want_an_Omega]

Does anyone on OOF have one of these mains powered devices fitted to their Mig?

They seem quite popular with Autobhanstormers members, but I don't recall seeing anyone on here mentioning that they have one fitted.

I had one on a V6 many years ago and removed it when I sold the car. I've still got it and am contemplating fitting it again before winter sets in.

Thanks .......... Rob

[Abiton]

Not on the mig, but I put one on my Golf last autumn.

I like it.  Great to drive off knowing that the engine is already warm, and heaters will work straight away.

Probably easier to find space to site it on a 4-pot than a V6, though I've not really eyed it up in either case.

Omegas do warm up a lot quicker than my Golf though, so cost/benefit may not be so clear cut.

I don't do much in the way of short journeys, so I don't save a huge amount of fuel by cutting out the cold-start.  Probably evens it out so that winter and summer economy is about the same (petrol-wise), not counting the electric cost (non-negligible these days  ).

Try it. 

[2woody]

one model of Omega 2.2 Dti ? has one as standard.

I would have thought it very useful for LPG - it would mean that you never need to start on petrol

[Marks DTM Calib]

Yes, the 2.2Dti was a wesbasto diesel heater as standard....although when not maintained they billow smoke as the fans sieze up!

[Cliffo B]

Had one fitted for about 5 yrs,I think there very good,in fact would never be without one,can be fitted to V6 ok. I fitted mine to my previous 2L Cav then my MV6,and transferred it to my present Elite. Its nice to start a journey and have your motor hot as if its done a 20ml run and there's also the advantage to the engine of no cold starts must mean less wear I posted up about them way back shortly after I joined the Forum. Of course you need to have a garage or as in my case a car port with a mains 13A power point

[Broomies Mate]

Showing my age here (or lack thereof).  How does it work? 

[hotel21]

As I recall, heating element into the water system which causes heated coolant to circulate thermally around the block.  But will be happy to be corrected....

[Andy B]

Showing my age here (or lack thereof).  How does it work? 

part of the car's coolant system is plumbed in via a box with a kettle element in it. You plug the element in & it heats the coolant. You set of with a car that's already up to temperature .... after you've unplugged 

http://www.kenlowe.co.uk/pre-heaters/cars/diy.html

[Kevin Wood]

Showing my age here (or lack thereof).  How does it work? 

It's just a little box with a heater element and a pump inside. It normally fits in the heater coolant circuit and starts circulating coolant around the engine when powered-up, heating it as it does. So, you run it from a timeswitch set to come on before you leave in the morning and, ideally, remember to unplug it before you drive off.

Kevin

[Broomies Mate]

Thanks Andy and Kevin.

It looks intriguing, especially warming the passenger compartment (with the extra gubbins).

I only live 10-12 minutes from work, but it's all dual-carriageway.  Early in the morning, I'd like to put my foot to the floor, but never do because the engine hasn't had time to warm up.  This looks like a great way of getting heat into the system.

I dont see how it can be as effective as it says though.  Oil temp will still be at ambient temperature, right?

[hotel21]

Thanks Andy and Kevin.

It looks intriguing, especially warming the passenger compartment (with the extra gubbins).

I only live 10-12 minutes from work, but it's all dual-carriageway.  Early in the morning, I'd like to put my foot to the floor, but never do because the engine hasn't had time to warm up.  This looks like a great way of getting heat into the system.

I dont see how it can be as effective as it says though.  Oil temp will still be at ambient temperature, right?

Yeeeessss, but getting warmed by the heat getting transmitted through the block by the warmed water.  Could always fire it up a little while earlier....

[Andy B]

.....
Oil temp will still be at ambient temperature, right?

I suppose it must be , apart from a little conducted heat. As the reast of the block is hot though I'd think the il would get hot much quicker. 

[Kevin Wood]

True, it won't heat the oil, but the block and heads will be hot, along with the coolant. On a V6 the oil cooler will soon drag the oil temperature up as they work in reverse too.

I believe some emergency vehicles have elements in the sump to pre-heat the oil as well.

Kevin

[Broomies Mate]

Cheers Guy's.

In a weird way, this system is a complete waste of time..... you are heating something which manufacturers spend billions on trying to keep cool 

The heater in the sump is what I would like, but, too much work to save myself 3 or 4 minutes of 'slow(ish)' driving of a morn!

[Andy B]

Cheers Guy's.

In a weird way, this system is a complete waste of time..... you are heating something which manufacturers spend billions on trying to keep cool 

The heater in the sump is what I would like, but, too much work to save myself 3 or 4 minutes of 'slow(ish)' driving of a morn!

The cold oil in the bottom of the sump would very quickly be brought up to engine temp if the rest of the block & coolant were already hot.