Community Forums

Aroadracer · 03-30-2022, 08:30 AM

Has anyone used their block heater to heat the crankcase before draining their oil? I know I should just drive it to warm the oil before the drain but it is not practical to do this currently. It is a 1999 Affinity with the CAT C12.

1Blue78 · 03-30-2022, 08:40 AM

Unless you have a circulating type heater (Webasto), I would think it wont help much since the block heater warms the coolant not the oil (although the oil may see some heat transfer from the block). I would just start it and let it idle till the temps come up.

TXiceman · 03-30-2022, 08:45 AM

A typical block heater will only heat the block and coolant. It takes a circulating type or a pan heater.

Ken

Aroadracer · 03-31-2022, 05:41 AM

Thanks guys, you gave me an idea. I have read that just idling it will not fully warm it up but If I run my Webasto heater at the same time, that should do the trick! Cheers

Soppy · 03-31-2022, 07:17 AM

You would have to run the engine on high idle for close to an hour to heat up the oil and burn off the created moisture. Running the webasto won't make much difference. Your other option is to drain it cold. It will take a little longer , but the end result will be the same. Modern oils keep the " dirt" suspended in the oil so it does not settle to the bottom of the pan.

TXiceman · 03-31-2022, 08:43 AM

It is hard to beat a true 30 minutes driving the coach on the road to get the temperature up.

Ken

**CountryFit** · 03-31-2022, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aroadracer

Thanks guys, you gave me an idea. I have read that just idling it will not fully warm it up but If I run my Webasto heater at the same time, that should do the trick! Cheers

I think it should do it. I have a hydronic Hurricane heater on my coach. Withn 10-15 minutes the heat exchangers send out hot air with heat from the coolant. I would say just hydronic heater alone is probably good enough to warm up the engine in half an hour. The added benefit of this heating method (vs running engine) is that it doesn't stir up the oil conteminants but improve the oil fluidity. Next time changing oil I'll try it.

IASM · 03-31-2022, 08:17 PM

You can certainly get more of a complete oil change with the warm oil but most of these rv engines are no-ware near ready for an oil change. My last test on two year old oil showed the additive pack was still good and will check next year. Contaminant were still low. If the oil is still good you dont have to worry so much about getting a complete change

rampage42 · 04-03-2022, 01:52 PM

Just drain it, heating is always better but comes out cold just fine.

OldWEB · 04-03-2022, 02:22 PM

I agree totally with the above that there is no reason you have to 're-heat' the oil... in fact when it was last shutdown the oil was hot and drained to the oil pan, then when left sitting, ALL the oil dripped to the pan. Unless the temp is near freezing, you just need to let the pan drain longer to get the last few drops out and in the OPs case, they are not going anywhere so just remember to plug and refill before you do start up!
And running ANY type of engine heater will barely heat the oil in the pan.
Someone please explain why you need to heat the engine first.

Mudfrog · 04-03-2022, 02:41 PM

For gasoline engines, I feel better letting the engine run for a few minutes before changing. Doesn't have to get up to operating temp. The slightly warmer oil flows a bit easier, it has collected and is suspending contaminates, and things (oil, filter, bolt) are not too hot to handle.

I would think this would be good for diesel too, but,,