Engine PreHeaters

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Been thinking into buying one, plumb into the cooling system to warm the car and engine up before I use it in the morning. Fed up of 6 miles before decent heat and its only just into single temp figures. WIll help defrosting in the morning as it gets colder.

Anyone got, or had one on a previous vehicle? Are they worth it? and was have you had (make and model).

Can't decide upon if to get a Diesel one or much cheaper electric one

 

[rossocorsa]

Been thinking into buying one, plumb into the cooling system to warm the car and engine up before I use it in the morning. Fed up of 6 miles before decent heat and its only just into single temp figures. WIll help defrosting in the morning as it gets colder.

Anyone got, or had one on a previous vehicle? Are they worth it? and was have you had (make and model).

Can't decide upon if to get a Diesel one or much cheaper electric one

Had a webasto one on previous mg full remote control diesel powered it was an original option fully integrated to the air con system. Great piece of kit but I would be a bit concerned about the cost and complexity of fitting one after market not sure it would be worth it and it would never be integrated like one officially fitted

 

[dave]

wear a vest

 

[rossocorsa]

For simplicities sake I think electric is the way to go with an after market device but only if you keep the car garaged connecting to the car outside would be a bind to say the least. With diesel you could actually plumb in a separate tank if you wanted (if there is space) and even run it from domestic heating oil as it wouldn't be used to propel the car, be aware though that they are not all that cheap to run they are a real indulgence.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

be aware though that they are not all that cheap to run they are a real indulgence.

This is what I was wondering. I've no issues with electric, as have a large drive the car is parked on next to a power supply when at home, but just means its limited to use at home only, and not when at work etc.

I can see why I gave up on this idea last winter now

 

[rossocorsa]

This is what I was wondering. I've no issues with electric, as have a large drive the car is parked on next to a power supply when at home, but just means its limited to use at home only, and not when at work etc.

I can see why I gave up on this idea last winter now

If you go down the diesel powered route it may be worth going on the rover 75 and ZT forum and searching the subject, secondly a scrap diesel 75 or ZT might prove a cheap source of a second hand unit early diesels all had them fitted (without remote) later they became optional either with or without remote control and parking heater , they do have a few known issues but there is a member on there who knows how to fix most issues plus they devised a way to add a remote control to versions without it.

 

[osvaldocm26]

Hello!

I live in Finland and have a 2003 Stilo 1.9 JTD with both the electrical heater (DEFA) and the Webasto.

Of course the best option is to have both, but they are quite expensive to install, specially the Webasto. But they are totally worth it!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Hello!

I live in Finland and have a 2003 Stilo 1.9 JTD with both the electrical heater (DEFA) and the Webasto.

Of course the best option is to have both, but they are quite expensive to install, specially the Webasto. But they are totally worth it!

Thanks for your reply

Was the Webasto factory fitted or has it been retro fitted? Could you post some pic's of it in the car if possible, and its controls.

When you say electric, is that one that plugs into the mains when parked up?

 

[osvaldocm26]

I cannot promise you the pictures but I'll give some websites

First, the Webasto was factory fitted and it works with an on/off remote control that looks like this:

http://www.kaha.fi/kahaweb/category.php?comp=89&pid=26&cid=90

Also you can have a programmable clock, like this:

http://www.kaha.fi/kahaweb/category.php?comp=32&pid=26&cid=90

Or to just give a call or sms or use the app for a smartphone.
The cheapest one is the clock.

About the electrical heater, it is the one connected to a 230V plug (at least here it's that way) and it works the same way as the webasto but without using your fuel and battery.

You can check this website for more info:

http://www.defa.com/en/fp/

And this is my car plugged into the electrical socket

Hope this is helpful