Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Anahymbrid
You're probably more familiar with these devices than I am (since I'm from So. Cal, and you're from Canada!), but I believe the block heater is actually warming the coolant / antifreeze in the engine block. There are other devices (oil pan heaters, battery blankets, etc.) for warming other under hood parts in cold weather.
With the coolant / antifreeze pre warmed, you should be able to get almost immediate "heat" out the vents (at least warmer than the ambient temperature!).
|
Actually, since all my vehicles have had block heaters that actually heated the oil
, I may have made the mistake of referring to it that way. I guess I should look at the 2006 HCH technical manual to confirm. Hummm, I believe I tried locating it in the manual recently and I was not able to. Must be because it is an option and therefore not in the service literature.
But in general terms, the block heater's main mission is to warm up the oil so that its viscosity may be lowered and minimize the engine wear at startup. When temperatures are too cold the oil just thickens and the rest is damage history.
Even if the engine coolant is locally heated by the heating element, the ventillation ducting will undoubtedly absorb the first warm air before is actually reaches the passengers - especially on very cold days. So will the rest of the engine block and pathways for the coolant as it gets pumped rather agressively as soon as we turn the key. Larger vehicles with significantly more ducting suffer for this temperature lag alot more.
Cheers;
MSantos