Is anyone running an oil pan heater on their rig? I know its probably overkill and not really needed, but I do not like a freezing cold truck in the mornings and I cant stand waiting for the heater to kick in. This seems like a good budgeted solution to faster warm ups and a happier truck (and owner) in the mornings.

I was lookin at these Wolvering oil pan heaters, http://www.wolverineheater.com/index.shtml. Anyone elese using these or something equivelant? Any tricks to installing and making sure they stick to the oil pan?

Thanks,
Alex

 

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...l-t223768.html

 

I am not talking about a block heater and the cord install. I already have a block heater. What I am looking at adding is an additional heater on the oil pan.

 

I had the exact heater on my old 2000 and am putting one on the 6.7. Makes a bit of a difference in warmup, but what I found is that when its -30, you need to use the block heater as well. There is just no getting away from a 750 watt coolant heater warming up an 1100 pound block.

 

Yeah I was looking to add that oil pan heater and run both on cold nights. How is the quality of the heater pad? Any tricks to making sure it sticks to the oil pan?

 

I have heard the quality is pretty good. Been thinking about getting one also as the stock heater only heats up the oil in the oil filter. Guessing the model 16 for the engine size??? 250 watts just doesnt seem like alot, but on the pan it would at least get the oil pretty warm.

 

Pan heaters are not uncommon on race cars. They're often using a straight 40 or 50 oil. They work well, and will heat the oil up in a short time.

They're peel and stick. But the stick isn't always that strong or durable. Over a few years you know it will start to peel off and you'll lose it on the highway. I would also worry about FOD damage.

If I was going to use one, I would do the peel and stick. But then I'd fab a metal cover to hold it in place. SHouldn't be that hard to make. Use a piece of alum bigger than the heater pad. Line it with a good insulating material. Fab some straps that attach via the pan bolts; kinda like a fuel tank strap. I would replace 4 of the pan bolts with studs, so you could torque the individual nuts properly.

That would stay on forever, direct all the heat to the oil pan, and not get damaged.

If you didn't want to get that involved, you could just use the dipstick type, and remove it in the summer.

 

That is a good idea on the metal cover. Might be a little more work than I am up for though. I lack a few things needed to make something like that here at the apartment I live in. I am going to try these. Ill let you guys know how it goes.

 

You know the block heater heats the oil at the same time right?

 

Yeah. Just looking for a little somethin extra for some of the early mornings and short trips. If its not a noticable difference then ill know not to waste my time with one on the next truck.

 

Not as well as a direct heater to the bottom of the pan. Minus Fahrenheit temps are hard to wake up to and the truck really appreciates it.

 

Get an espar, immediate heat and they make them for your truck.

http://www.espar.com/html/applications/truck.html

Works great when you're away from an electrical outlet too.

 

I mounted a wolverine model 9.0 on the back side of the oil pan. It is well protected in this location and it is effective at warming the oil. I have the oil pan heater and block heater connected together. At minus 35*C, oil pressure is quick to register.

 

Yeah those espar units look really nice. I would imagine they are a little bit on the expensive side though.

MDKram, is there a proper way to wire the two together?

 

I used a short 14 gauge block heater chord with a tripple outlet end to keep things simple. I located the tripple end junction behind the bumper and it has stayed clean and shows no signs of corrosion after 1 year of use. The chord I found has an LED in the male plug end which is handy to verify power. I had an Espar in my last truck and it worked well. I have plug-in power access at work now so I doubt I'll add an Espar anytime soon. Heating the oil makes cold weather starts a non issue and gives some peace of mind. Many class 8 trucks around here only use emersion type oil pan heaters...

Anyway, sand the paint off the pan in the area you are going to mount the wolverine. Use brake clean to clean the surface and apply the wolverine pad heater. The kit provides ample silicone to seal the edges so there is little chance of any contaminants finding their way behind the mounted heater.