engine preheating

[smegheadsteve]

Hi chaps, just a quick one, I have thrown together some bits to make an engine preheater (sweetcorn tin with a hole and a H7 bulb inside, to a cigarette lighter plug so I can use it in the car when I am out).Not sure how successful it will be but I had all the bits lying around so hasn't cost me anything.

The bulb sits inside the head nicely (it is the long thin type) and I am just wondering if I should remove the glow plug when preheating?

Cheers.

[Gazlam]

Personally I wouldn't remove the glow plug. It really isn't necessary. Don't see how it would benefit removing the plug.

By the way. Nice idea!! Do you have some pics?

Edited December 6, 2014 by Gazlam

[fatboyneil]

Keep the glow plug in as if the bulb breaks your stuck with glass in your engine and that won't do it any good

[smegheadsteve]

Good thinking! 

I will take some pics and try and put them on later. more importantly I will give it a go and see if it works, hopefully I will be able to start the bloody thing!

[smegheadsteve]

Bloody hell it worked! You may or may not know about the starting problems I have been having, anyway, just put my light bulb contraption on for about 7 mins and the car started on the second attempt.

I will take some pics.

[jordanp]

amazing what a little heat will do to a engine

 

nether start any my cars cold(except the petrol km as its got choke) always heat em up

[smegheadsteve]

Here are the pics of what I made, not my idea by the way, I got some ideas off the web. Works a treat, 5 mins of heat was good for a first time start from cold. When I get chance I will see if this time will reduce at all.

By the way it's a 55w bulb.

I was going to make an improved version when I proved it worked, I cut the tin a bit short, and I thought about wrapping exhaust heat wrap around it, but it worked that well I don't think I need to bother.

Ok, how do I add pictures?

Edited December 7, 2014 by smegheadsteve

[Anthoop]

Ok, how do I add pictures?

Join Photobucket.com....upload pictures....click "share links"....copy and paste IMG code to your post.

[smegheadsteve]

Thanks mate.

[Gazlam]

Awesome job mate!

[Anthoop]

Yes, good stuff...bulb in a bean tin (or sweetcorn..or..) it does the job for low cost.

As we all know the carb settings on these engines are primitive...it is a basic carb....when it is mighty cold or settings are rich then getting it warmed before starting will always help....never mind the actual advantages of engine longevity.

[Nitroholic]

Nice job

 

I have seen similar designs adding a second layer with a fan to blow the hot air down and over the cylinder. Some also use those cheap stainless flasks instead of the bean tin for a more 'pro' look. Doesn;t work any better....just doesn't smell of beans

 

Definitely beats going out and spending

[Tamiyacowboy]

you can extend the heating.

if you wrap the inner with a fireproof cloth and the outer to.

place foam round the outer of can then your fireproof cover.

inside you just lay in your fabric and expoy it inplace.

 

in very cold climates, like canada and likes, even uk, we oldies used to run with socks fitted to engine heads.

nitro motors like to run at a hot temp, but when the air outside is -1 and the windchill at 30mph is more like -12

your engine gets more cold than you think, this in turn makes it preform more sluggish. so a sock to keep the heat in was used.

you want something that will not melt but will keep the heat in. 

[smegheadsteve]

I know it's not ideal, not very portable if I need a car to use it! I have already noticed how quickly these engines cool down (I am new to nitro) I left the car for 5 mins after a run and it wouldn't start, had to use the heater again, so it won't be very good if I let cool the car cool too much in the middle of a field, will have to go back to the car to start it.

It will do for now.

[Anthoop]

I know it's not ideal, not very portable if I need a car to use it! I have already noticed how quickly these engines cool down (I am new to nitro) I left the car for 5 mins after a run and it wouldn't start, had to use the heater again, so it won't be very good if I let cool the car cool too much in the middle of a field, will have to go back to the car to start it.

It will do for now.

No one is knocking you..only praise...once upon a time this hobby was all about finding a problem and making something to fix it.

You did good. 

[jordanp]

agree to many folk into the "if it breaks chuck it and buy a new one" sense of mind

Edited December 7, 2014 by jordanp

[rnibleck]

empty bean can and blow torch for me, fire is much more fun than electric!

[smegheadsteve]

I thought about a blow torch but wasn't sure. what are peoples thoughts on this? I worried about melting most of the car and being left with a nice warm engine all on it's own!

[jordanp]

i use to use gas sodering irons with blowtorch heads, and they worked tremendesly

[bjsparks]

seems to me u have nitro on hand, just miss a bit when filling up then set light to the whole car, should heat THING
S up nicely, works anywhere too

[smegheadsteve]

Like it. Then as you drive off this will hopefully put the flames out. Job done.

[jordanp]

lol guys

[rnibleck]

it's really not that difficult not to set fire the everything, just don't be a moron and ye laughing! The main reason i use that method is i'm a plumber so always have the torch in my van.

[Anthoop]

it's really not that difficult not to set fire the everything

"Mum...the carpet/curtains/dog/cat/etc. are on fire"!

[Drewie]

Ahh the joys of winter. Had my dominator running a treat on boxing day (started within seconds of leaving the house), yet took it to the park today, completely forgetting how cold it was. No joy.

 

I either need to get a means of warming the engine, or else start it up at home and "drive" it to the park (5min walk from my door).

 

And today was made even worse by the fact my little lad, who got a maverick ion MT for crimbo, was literally running rings around me whilst I was trying to get my truck fired up.