Heating up my engine

[selnekav]

Hi,
I have few questions about heating up my engine.

1) Which tool i should use ? hairdryer, heat gun, propane gun ? is there any portable solution which can be connected to the car 12v inlet ?
2) How long i should heat my engine before starting ?

Thanks

 

[tntpoof]

ProTek RC "Blue Flame" DC Nitro Engine Heater (Head Warmer) [PTK-4050] - AMain Hobbies
12v might need a cigarette plug with a deans connector
not sure of the finer details but a hairdryer will work dont use a butane torch.buy a ir temp gun about 12 here in the states

 

[Greywolf74]

Heatgun or an actual engine warmer are gonna be your best bets. I dont run when its cold out but I believe most of the guys that do heat the enggine up to around 180F before starting.

 

[selnekav]

Thanks. is that necessary every time i start the engine ?

 

[Greywolf74]

Thanks. is that necessary every time i start the engine ?

If its under 40-50F then I would say yes, otherwise you're just putting extra wear and tear on the piston and sleeve.

 

[selnekav]

Wow. i never ran the car when the outside temperature is below 15 degrees ( 59F ) . i am leaving in a warm country and most of the time when i ran the car the temperature outside is around 70F-80F
is that mean that i don't need to preheat the engine it at all ?

 

[WickedFog]

A lot of the nitro guys I watch use engine warmers every time they start their engine, to prevent wear. Even in warm weather, it makes sense, because aluminum changes size a LOT when it is warm/cold.

 

[Greywolf74]

I personally dont pre-heat my engine when its warm outside. Its probably a good idea but I'm too lazy to do that

 

[500 Mike]

I have found my vehicle starts a lot easier when I warm it to at least 110F or higher, even when it is warm out. I lot of guys on here recommend 180+F but my engine warmer won't get it that hot and I don't have access to 110V AC when I am out bashing so my heat gun is out of the question. I'd say the warmer the better up to that 180-200F range.

 

[cbaker65]

I been running nitro engines for years ,never have i preheated them in the past ,but it does help with
starting & prolong the life of the engines ,but also after the engine has been broke in an lost some
of the mechanical pinch ,it should be ok ,not everyone has access to heat source ,when they are 10 or
20 miles out in the middle of no where at a bash spot!
I use mostly low end budget engines for every day bashing ,racing is a different story with the higher
end engines at a track where there is access to electric or run a generator!..

 

[selnekav]

I thinking to buy Engine Heater (Head Warmer) which powered by Lipo battery

 

[selnekav]

I looked over and found this cordless heat gun do you think it will do better job then the Engine Heater ?

VonHaus 18V Cordless Heat Gun​

 

[Greywolf74]

I looked over and found this cordless heat gun do you think it will do better job then the Engine Heater ?

VonHaus 18V Cordless Heat Gun​

It will get the engine hotter than an engine heater. Little more of a pain to use and becareful you dont melt anything

 

[selnekav]

Thanks