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
> _____________________________________________