Adventures with dipstick warmer

[strelnik]

I committed the terrible sin of leaving summer oil inside the 190D when the temp hit -4 Fahrenheit. It was molasses.

Charging the battery and heating the block does not help when the oil is this thick. The heat does not transfer to the pan and the oil.

I borrowed a dipstick heater that was 24" long and checked it in its place in the 190D/ 601 pan. It went inside almost 5 inches.

The heaters always say to use all night but I have heard stories of cars in Canada burning due to oil fires from dipstick heaters.

So I left the heater in place for 30 minutes, watching the car from inside and drinking coffee.

After 30 minutes, I unplugged the heater and VIOLA! the car turned over like July! I let it warm up thoroughly while I prepared everything needed for an oil chantge.

I did it in stages becauise of the weather but it didn't take long. Left the belly pan off for now, it goes back on later after I wash it.

MY QUESTION: What are your experiences with dipstick heaters? Good bad? Use 30 minutes? Use less?

I have ordered a two foot tall glass test tube ad will heat several litres of oil from zero degrees to whatever, checking and recording the temp with a laser thermometer every minute from 0-15 minutes.

That should help decide if it's a good idea.

My only other concern is that the heater may overheat the oil, sizzle it too quick. So the poil will be used oil. Hope that does not impace results.

Any comments based on experiences with dipstick heaters?