924Board.org

[mdaniel83]

does anyone know if there's any way to install a block heater on a 924n/a? my car is resting outside 24/7 and doesn't like to start when it's -35 below which is almost everyday

[924RACR]

Tell ya what, I'll bet it'll start much better when you've got the car tuned! Seriously, I recommend you re-evaluate the starting ability after fixing the timing, and check your cold-start stuff (see the FAQ, I wrote a whole section about it). Mainly you'll need to make sure the cold-start valve works properly.

Furthermore, make sure you've got not only a good battery (might want a deep-cycle spiral-cell), but good electrical connections - fresh new ground straps and power cable to the starter. Makes a huge difference in being able to turn the car over.

Also make sure you're using synthetic oil - I was amazed at how much better Mobil1 0w30 or whatever flows at 0 deg!

As for fitting a block heater, to get back to your original question: a generic block heater should be able to be fit into the holes from removing the freeze plugs. However, I think you'll have a problem installing one before summer. The reason is that all the freeze plugs on the block are on the side of the exhaust manifold, under the manifold, which we all know is a PITA to remove. See the pics on the linked page below to get a good look at a clean, bare block (and me
http://www.vaughanscott.com/engine.htm

You can see that all the freeze plugs are above the oil filter. I leave it up to you to decide if you wish to tackle that job outside...

Don't worry, though, I strongly support your driving the car all winter - I used to in Upstate NY, and they are very reliable and solid and work great in snow, as long as you've got decent tires...

Good luck!

_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

[Nicke]

Vaughan is right, tuning makes a HUGE difference. I just couldn´t believe how much it improved starting, idle and acceleration. AND fuel economy. A 924 should start up easily enough even in extremely cold conditions. (It´s the hot start that´s the problem as we all know. But even that is almost fixed if you get air, spark, timing, fuel,idle and emissions checked by a pro.)

I took my 924 to a garage and they didn´t want to install a block heater no matter how much I pleeded. They said that it´s impossible to install it and if you get it installed the exhaust is too close and could damage the wiring etc. And it could mess up the waterflow. Don´t do it, they said. Works fine without

[numbers]

Use 0-W-30 Mobil one, and get a cheap dipstick heater. That is all you will need.

[Roger Hall]

i live in florida so i dont know any better but isnt there a dipstick that you can buy and it runs off of electricity to warm the oil and the engine

[cs]

you can get a heater that mounts inline in your bottom radiator hose. they sell them for about $20 around here, and they're easy to put it.