Hey guys,

as I live in NW Ontario, it gets pretty cold here at times. We have been lucky, but Jan and Feb are brutal.

I have noticed my 1994 6.5 Turbo is spending a lot more fuel during the winter months. It also warms up for 30 min each day (15 x 2).

Trying to eliminate the long warm up time, and save the engine from the heat, I was told about this product http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4600332429&sspagename=ADME:B:AAQ:US:1

Has anyone used it? any idea if this is something I should get. It's pretty inexpensive, but sold here in local stores for triple the price on ebay.

thanks

Its a engine heater, same as block heater just outside unit. I think this one is electricity operated. so if you get your truck plugged in Its good one for cold startups. Mines got fuel operated engine heater, its better you can get your truck heat up enywhere.

hey,

same as block heater? this unit circulates the coolant, when a block heater doesnt...right? or am I missing something?

You should have a engine block heaters installed or you should be able to replace them. They work better IMO than these tank heaters. Block heaters move water in the same way as this heater, Hot water raises, colder water falls to the bottom to be reheated. Tank heater or ones installed in heater hoses also lose lots of heat thru the hoses and cause problems with hoses and Y fittings cracking. I always ran 2 block heaters, one on each side of block, on my truck when I lived in Alaska. The warm water was moving as soon as the engine started. Also consider oil pan heaters, the type that you glue on the bottom of the pan, about 50-75 watts works good at keep oil warm and ready to flow.

These zerostart don't have a pump so it's basically the same as a block heater.

it's theoretically a good idea. works on the same principle as a fridge that i got out front in my camper. heat freon to force it to go throughout the system. and start the cycle again, hense cooling the interior of the fridge in the process. one thing to keep in mind is the electrical draw on this heater. 1000 watts that is equivalent to ten one hundred watt bulbs running. you leave it plugged in all the time and you are going to add to the utility bills. i'd be curious to know would it heat the coolant in the radiator. or just the engine as it seems to come with a cooling system tie in.