There are several types. For a VW the under pan is probably the easiest
to install. Could also look at the circulating type which fits into a
coolant line and auto syphon/pumps hot coolant through the engine
heating it more evenly. You really only need to have it on for 2 hours
to preheat the oil. Leaving it on all night is hard on the power bill
and the environment.
If you happen to live on a farm, park it on the manure pile. My
granddad's model T would start easily in minus twenty.
On Monday, September 29, 2003, at 04:03  PM, Automatic digest processor
wrote:

> Date:    Mon, 29 Sep 2003 14:58:45 -0500
> From:    Wesley Alden Pegden <wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU>
> Subject: engine block heaters?
>
> A while ago I saw someone mentioning the benefits of an engine block
> heater for the winter.  Any opinions on this?  How much do they cost?
> And
> where can one get one?  I'm in chicago---is this something I should
> look
> into to extend the life of my van?
>