engine heater for the winter

strvger · Aug 27, 2014

new to me, 1997 ranger pu with the 2.3 4cy., M5OD. need to get an engine heater on it for the winter. not sure which is better:
the flat, stick-on oil pan heater
magnet oil pan heater
immersion heater that replaces the oil pan drain plug

any of the above would be preferable to a freeze plug type as I'm not to mechanically inclined.

I understand the lower radiator hose style is not recommended for this engine, idk. :dunno:

it will be augmented with a battery warmer when it gets really cold out (-10F and colder) which happens all too often during the winter here. :bawling:

for the oil pan immersion style, just what is the thread count for the pan plug?
thanks.

martin · Aug 27, 2014

Don't know if they still make the ones that go in the heater hose but they seemed to work on anything and were simple to install.

adsm08 · Aug 27, 2014

strvger said:
new to me, 1997 ranger pu with the 2.3 4cy., M5OD. need to get an engine heater on it for the winter. not sure which is better:
the flat, stick-on oil pan heater
magnet oil pan heater
immersion heater that replaces the oil pan drain plug

any of the above would be preferable to a freeze plug type as I'm not to mechanically inclined.

The one that goes in the freeze plug hole is the best option, and not that hard to install.

strvger · Aug 27, 2014

according to the owners manual I got, that type for the heater or radiator hose is not recommended for the 2.3 for whatever reason. that is why I was concentrating on the ones for the oil pan.
I was hoping I wouldn't have to drain all the coolant and try to get the freeze plug out for that type of heater. I'm just afraid i'll screw it up somehow and end up with leaks there.
thanks.

Doofy · Aug 27, 2014

Frost plug heaters are fairly idiot-proof. Best and most efficient and along with a battery blanket will get you going. I also use Mobile 1 0-30 motor oil in the winter and I've never had a problem. We get some -60°F, in this neck of the woods.

Doofy · Aug 27, 2014

They also make oil pan and transmission pan heaters that you silicone on to the pan. These work well, also.

XLTsplash · Aug 28, 2014

Freeze plugs are easy to remove if you can get to them. On a 2.3L you would have to work around the exhaust header pipes. It can be done, it just makes it harder having things to work around. And installing the heater plug isn't hard to do. On a 2.3L the wires for the heater would be under the exhaust header = not a good place to have wires. I would start with one that's easy for you to install and see how it works for you. Another thing to think about is your ranger has an aluminum oil pan that a magnet won't stick to and the aluminum has a webbing cast into it on the outside of the pan that may keep the heater from making good contact with the pan.

engine heater for the winter

strvger

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