Engine Block Heater?! (Please Help)

[Anonamoose]

:banana:
Does this car need one for extremely cold weather? Where we moved it gets -60F below but according to the GM Service Tech they don't make them for the Sonic and he says we don't need it. Is this true? That cold I'd think any radiator would need one. Also what about the battery? We've just never been in extreme cold and the wife and I are worried about the extreme weather. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jim_de_hunter]

:banana:
Does this car need one for extremely cold weather? Where we moved it gets -60F below but according to the GM Service Tech they don't make them for the Sonic and he says we don't need it. Is this true? That cold I'd think any radiator would need one. Also what about the battery? We've just never been in extreme cold and the wife and I are worried about the extreme weather. Any help would be appreciated.

I think that I would ask your new neighbors. They have already worked out all of the solutions and will know what to do.

 

[Anonamoose]

Thanks but the neighbors told me to go to the dealorship and get one installed. They don't make one for the Sonic .

 

[lambertsonic]

i have one on my sonic , they call it a oil pan heater

 

[jim_de_hunter]

This one fits on a Cruze. It's the same engine. I bright Tech will figure out how to install in your car. You may find a bright one away from the dealership.

P ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (LUW/1.8H, KPK);. Fits: Chevrolet Cruze | Nalley Buick GMC Brunswick

 

[CoHPhasor]

There's an oil pan heater that can be purchased for the Sonic, will it be enough to keep the engine warm?
(For the oil to move properly it's great, and you're gonna need it, but I dont know that it's enough to stop water from crackin the block?)

 

[sonic hotness]

So glad i live in sunny southen california

 

[jim_de_hunter]

There's an oil pan heater that can be purchased for the Sonic, will it be enough to keep the engine warm?
(For the oil to move properly it's great, and you're gonna need it, but I dont know that it's enough to stop water from crackin the block?)

The link in my post above shows Chevy parts for a complete engine block heater system - Oil Pan and Radiator Coolant.

 

[CoHPhasor]

The link in my post above shows Chevy parts for a complete engine block heater system - Oil Pan and Radiator Coolant.

Didn't follow the link, but now that I look at it it's pretty simple, hell, almost looks like it could bolt onto ANY car.

The one I mentioned is the one you can select in the "build your own" for the Sonic on Chevy.com

 

[Sonic]

Where did you move to, Neptune?!?!

 

[gsxr1000]

Thanks but the neighbors told me to go to the dealorship and get one installed. They don't make one for the Sonic .

it is a $75 option on the sonic

 

[gsxr1000]

it is a $75 option on the sonic

lets see if this is easier to read

 

[Papasonic]

I have the factory installed oil pan heater on my 1.4 LTZ turbo. I don't know how effective it would be at -60f, but the label on the cord to plug it in states that it turns on at 0 degrees f. I would think that the oil pan heater would be marginal for your application. An engine block heater that actually warms the coolant would be the best option. Maybe a heated garage. As for the battery, there are electric warmers available, but I would invest in a quality battery maintainer that would keep the battery at it's optimum capacity at all times.

Papasonic

 

[Anonamoose]

Thanks everyone for your input. LOL on the comment about Neptune it feels like it after living in VA my whole life. I'll go back to the same dealorship with more info now and see what I can come up with. Im just worried. BTW -60F is with windchill and rare but -40 with windchill is common. The joys of Uncle Sam telling you where to live .

 

[jim_de_hunter]

BTW -60F is with windchill and rare but -40 with windchill is common. The joys of Uncle Sam telling you where to live .

Fort Greely?

 

[WranglerJoel]

Thanks everyone for your input. LOL on the comment about Neptune it feels like it after living in VA my whole life. I'll go back to the same dealorship with more info now and see what I can come up with. Im just worried. BTW -60F is with windchill and rare but -40 with windchill is common. The joys of Uncle Sam telling you where to live .

Windchill does not affect radiators. It is the additional cooling effect of the evaporation of water from exposed skin. Wind will influence how fast your radiator cools down but it won't go lower than the outside temp.

 

[Ironicdeltaman]

Search napa they have one for the sonic

 

[Maddmatts]

The manual states that a 50/50 mix of dexcool/water will prevent freezing down to -34F. The oil pan heater will probably be sufficient for that extra 6 or so degrees. You could go with a 60/40 mix for better freezing protection.

That said, it gets just as cold where I live and I've never seen problems on properly maintained engines with a 50/50 mix. Using a heater and letting the engine run for at least a minute or two before putting it in gear will mitigate most potential issues.

 

[$ub$onic]

The heater is mostly for the oil. Thick oil on a cold start up is not the best for the turbo.

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