1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: R53 block heater

  1. fishmonger

    fishmonger Well-Known Member

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    #12 fishmonger, Dec 8, 2015
    I ride my bike to work, 26.8 miles every day, in Wisconsin, all year. Clearly not enough of a role model. More like that idiot dad who rides a bike in sub freezing temps when he has 3 cars at home. But hey, no mayo in my Mini.
     
  2. myles2go

    myles2go Active Member

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    #17 myles2go, Dec 9, 2015
    He needs a girlfriend on the other side of town!
     
  3. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #2 Minidave, Dec 8, 2015
    Mine has lived outside since the day it was new and always starts just fine.....I wouldn't worry about it ......we get as cold as -10* F......

    I'm sure a universal kit could be adapted if you really need one, I agree having the water and oil already partially up to temp would be better on the car, and you!
     
  4. fishmonger

    fishmonger Well-Known Member

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    #3 fishmonger, Dec 8, 2015
    I'm mostly worried about the 1.5 mile trips my son is about to take during the coldest days of winter. The engine won't even get out of open loop mode before he parks it at school.

    This car is so nice, it hurts to think that these cold starts are going to happen. In 10 years, it has spent less than 10 nights outside of an air conditioned garage in Florida, and now it's going to do short commuter hops in freaking Wisconsin winters?
     
  5. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #4 Minidave, Dec 8, 2015
  6. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #5 Minidave, Dec 8, 2015
    I'll bet this would work, but it might be a bit of a PITA to install as I think the freeze plugs are on the back side of the block.

    For the $30 he's asking it would be worth a try tho....

    BMW Engine Block Heater New | eBay

    [​IMG]
     
  7. fishmonger

    fishmonger Well-Known Member

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    #6 fishmonger, Dec 8, 2015
    I have install instructions for the OEM block heater - 1 hour job it sez (so it's 3 hours). remove power steering fan, engine mount, and it's right there next to the oil filter mount.

    http://www.minimania.com/pdfile/NME7607_INSTR.pdf

    this goes with

    Engine Block Heater - (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
    Mfg Part #12810306612
    ECS Part #ES#2707976
    Brand Genuine Mini



    600 watts on the radiator hose heater sounds like it is very powerful. All the others I have seen so far are 200 watts.

    There are these flat mat heaters meant for batteries, which may be adaptable to the oil pan, but I don't think I can get it flush enough to actually transfer enough heat.

    ideally, the kid should leave the car in the garage and ride a bike, just like I do all year long, and my commute is 10x longer than his.
     
  8. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #7 Metalman, Dec 8, 2015
    1.5 mile is going to cause severe "mayonnaise" production inside the valve cover....

    It really needs to get up to operating temperature to burn the moisture off...

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #8 Minidave, Dec 8, 2015
    That looks identical to the BMW one I posted, if the freeze plug holes are the same size it should work fine.
     
  10. fishmonger

    fishmonger Well-Known Member

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    #9 fishmonger, Dec 8, 2015

    <insert Homer Simpson voice>hmm mayo
     
  11. BruceK

    BruceK Active Member

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    #10 BruceK, Dec 8, 2015
    Sure, nothing but 1.5 mile journeys where the engine never really heats up are indeed bad and can cause the mayo issue as you said. But, as long as the car is also used for longer distance trips where the engine and the oil get to full operating temperatures at least once or so a week, there should be no salad dressing produced.
     
  12. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    #11 DneprDave, Dec 8, 2015
    One and a half miles! Heck, tell the bum to walk!

    I walk my dog two miles every morning, rain or shine.
     
  13. myles2go

    myles2go Active Member

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    #13 myles2go, Dec 9, 2015
    Hey Fishmonger, you finally bought that second MINI? Congrats!

    The block heater is a nice feature if he remembers to plug it in and unplug it, but what good is it if the car is sitting in the school parking lot all day unplugged? Even with the heater the oil probably won't get up to temperature in the short distance he is driving. He needs to find a longer route to school. Maybe pick up a friend on the other side of town.
     
  14. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    #14 mrntd, Dec 9, 2015
  15. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #15 MCS02, Dec 9, 2015
    Well someone had to say it!:biggrin5:
     
  16. fishmonger

    fishmonger Well-Known Member

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    #16 fishmonger, Dec 9, 2015
    ha, yes, driving off while still plugged in is going to be one of those morning moments...

    yes, he needs a longer route. I'm trying to convince that letting the car idle for 10 minutes before going isn't a solution either, plus he'll see what that does at the gas pump as well.

    and what's up with Premium gas costing up to 50% more than regular??? Here in town one station charges 1.89 for regular and 2.99 for premium. A teenager will probably walk before burning off a dollar or more of gas just to warm up the engine

    And the thing is - it really doesn't burn off the moisture unless you go 10+ miles, more in winter.