Engine Block Heater
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 10-15-2007
Posts: 199
From: Yukon
Just installed a 100W pad heater on the oil pan as well. This will not be on a thermostat so I'll have to be careful when I plug it in. I probably shouldn't remote start the car and run it for 10 min with the pad heater energized.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-06-2008
Posts: 1,761
From: Grand Haven, MI
Why not, 100watts isn't much, are you concerned about it getting too hot?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 10-15-2007
Posts: 199
From: Yukon
Yes. Pad manufacturers have heater power recommendations linked to oil pan capacity. Since the factory and after-market block heaters have -18C thermostats in-line I assume they want to guard against over heating. What happens if an HHR is left plugged in and the weather warms up when the car is exposed in a sunny spot?
Senior Member
Joined: 07-16-2008
Posts: 158
From: Colorado
I'm looking into adding an engine block heater. I know it is available from GM at 218 CAD (parts only) and difficult to obtain as an after-market product. Oil pan heater will be added separately.
What type of heater comes from GM with this 2.4 engine - immersion or radiant type?
What power is it rated at?
Is the -17C thermostat in the cord? (At GM Parts the price of the cord is the same as the heating element.)
What type of heater comes from GM with this 2.4 engine - immersion or radiant type?
What power is it rated at?
Is the -17C thermostat in the cord? (At GM Parts the price of the cord is the same as the heating element.)
I flew for the Army in Anchorage for 4 years back in the early 80's. My heater of choice was the Engine Oil Dipstick
Senior Member
Joined: 07-16-2008
Posts: 158
From: Colorado
What weight oil you using for winter? 90
I recall using straight 5 wt when I was their. Never had seen it before and the first oil change I gave it prior to winter, thought I had the wrong stuff. Came out like water.Beautiful area. Drove all the way up from NH. across to Washington state and then up in a brand new 1978 Z28. Had to spend two days in Whitehorse to get my carb rebuilt!!. All that dirt from the Alcan before it was all paved.
Kluane Lake? Ohhh puppy! Could have stay their and camped for a year.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-14-2008
Posts: 96
From: Minnesota
Engine Block Heater
Ok you "Great Ones," I'm wondering how you can tell if the factory installed heater is working. I normally park in a heated garage, so no need to plug it in. Just for the heck of it to see if it was working, 
I plugged in the 08 HHR 2.4 LT, automatic, and the garage was at 49 degrees. I was listening for a noise, nothing at all, left it plugged in all night, and when I started the vehicle this morning, the coolant temp was 49 degrees. Is the unit on some sort of thermostat, and will only kick in if it reaches a certain temperature? 
Hmmmm, 
maybe I should park it outside one night, naaahhhhhh.......Help please if anyone knows.
Dan
New Member
Joined: 07-27-2008
Posts: 15
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
It's my understanding that factory or dealer installed block heater only works when the temperature is -18 Celsius or colder. I believe there is actually a sticker to that effect on the cord itself.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-14-2008
Posts: 96
From: Minnesota
OK but for us numb nuts that are not on the metric system, what is -18 in fahrenheit?
