thatpoorguy

I explained to a friend about how poorly my car runs until it is warmed up. He suggested putting in a block heater as a joke but it got me wondering. I've seen and used them before on diesels and it seems like the concept would work for us northern rotary owners with modified cars that would actually like to still drive them in winter. I was curious if anyone had ever seen or heard of anyone doing this with a rotary

1988RedT2

I have zero experience, and truly, zero knowledge regarding block heaters, but you know, it sounds pretty logical to me.

phinsup

My mercedes has one, i use it all the time in Southeast Florida LOL Anyhow on a serious note. There are two types ones that heat oil and ones that heat the coolant, i think most of the aftermarket ones heat the oil. The coolant ones work pretty well, they heat the coolant up to the point where the thermostat just about opens so it's like driving the car for 15 minutes.



Just don't try warming it up in your garage with the doors shut LOL

Maxt

The factory one was just an element that bolted to a hole in the front rotor housing and surrounded one of the spark plugs. It was pretty lame and really didnt work worth a pinch of **** in colder climates since it only warmed one housing and only the top half of the motor at that.... One of the ones that goes inline in the coolant hoses to the heater core would probably do a much better job.

thatpoorguy

Yeah, the ones I've seen on diesel trucks are in coolant passages in the side of the block.



I'm just sick of my car dying at idle cause it's cold and then it floods lol

phinsup

Yea i hear ya there's been a couple days down here where I have actually had to wait for my glowplugs to warm up LOL

thatpoorguy

Lol we had a day with -16 Windchill ugh, I miss Texas

phinsup

That's the first time I've ever heard those words muttered!

thatpoorguy

Texas>Indiana without a challenge haha