Jim Arnott wrote:
>
> Actually there IS a 'block heater' for the wasserboxer.  Sticks to the bottom
> of the crankcase.  Warms the oil rather than the coolant.  Another alternative
> is a circulating heater that installs into the heater hose.  Lastly, one can
> always put a floodlight under the engine aimed at the sump.
>
> I use the last trick when it drops below -10.  Cheap... easy...
>
> Jim Arnott
> WetWesties
> Union, OR
>
> Hydesmith wrote:
> >
> > VW bus and the northern winters....
> >
> > Also, as far as I know, there is no way to
> > install a block heater, even in the Vanagon water-cooled models as
> > there are no frost plugs. Block heaters are something you southern
> > folks won't know anything about, but they are high wattage 120volt
> > plug-in heaters which warm your engine blocks and are required if you
> > want to be able to start your vehicle once it drops below -20 degrees
> > C overnight ... my diesel Jetta likes to be plugged in once the
> > mercury falls just a few degrees below freezing) as there are no
> > frost plugs. I am looking into installing a circulating heater into
> > the coolant system. Any advice.
> >
> > Ch-ch-ch-ch-cheers.
> > --
> > B Hydesmith/83 Westfalia/Winnipeg/MB/Canada/hsc@mac.com
> > _____________________________________________

Hi Jim & list,

I installed a 110V coolant heater in the coolant line from the 2.1L oil
cooler outlet to the T/stat housing. The system has it's own thermally
propelled circulation as heated coolant rises and is displaced out the
top and cold coolant is drawn into the bottom of the heater unit. Over a
0*F night it keeps much of the cooling system at ~60*F. The strategy for
the location of the heater is that it limits the over-rich cranking
enrichment that dilutes winter engine oil and it heats the engine oil
that is first used during initial start up when oil flow is critical.
After I wired my Syncro for 110V I also added a battery trickle charger,
battery heaters(I have two) and a 110V outlet for a space heater if
needed. When the weather in our valley turns cold, my Syncro is very
cozy and comfortable.

Regards,              John