Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

[Aleks]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

I have been using this unit for about 1 month now, and i now starts the timer at 2:30 and start the car at 6:30. The car will start much easier (judged by the starter sound and speed), but it NEVER have been heated to running temp (~90C) except the first time...

is there anything wrong with the installation??
does the unit have to be installed at a particular orientation or place to get maximum benefits from it?

please help.

Thanks!

As was said above, the 1500w version is overkill, so it really heats good...the 1000w unit just may not do it aswell, but still better than any block heater/oil pan heater ever would

[Stonewall]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

The more I think about it the more damage I think would be done heating the car up to operation temps. The thermal shock alone after you start the car and the cold coolant is circulated would not be good for the engine or the seals. I think some people are forgetting that the idea of a heater (coolant or block) is to ease the wear on starting a really cold engine. The fact that you may get warm air out faster is a pleasant byproduct.

[aussiefishy]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

I think by using this you are also warming the block, hence at least part of the engine. due to the fact that the coolent do run through the engine, the oil will still be warmed up at least a little. i notice the car starts much better, so i think this mean the oil is not as cold (thicken) as completely cold.

am i right on this?

[VWSM]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

as stonewall says it stops wear and tear on your block,if desperate you can even use a trouble light and 100watt bulb and stick it under the hood.

[Kordain]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

I would think its starts easier because the block is warmed and the pistons cams etc move a little easier than if at -20. However I would be a little concerned that the oil in the pan is almost deffinitely not warmed so i would take it easy on the engine for a little until the oils been pumped round a bit and had chance to warm up as well or your not gonna save any wear and tear. nothing worst than false sense of security.

[aussiefishy]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

Thank you for your opinion VMSM. and i am not that desperate yet.

i do not know alot about cars, especially coolant systems... but as the last post said, i would not rev the engine for the first 15 minutes until i am sure the car is "really warmed up"

i remembered i read somewhere in vortex that we can set the computer using vagcom and make the heat comes on instantly when start cold. any news?

[Stonewall]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

You can't create heat from nothing. TDI's bearly generate enough heat themselves to keep the engine warm. Gasers create a lot of heat but on start up it is all used to warm the car up (via convection etc). The heat you get from the heater output comes from the coolant therefor you are not going to get heat until the whole engine warms up.

[ricosuave]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

i remembered i read somewhere in vortex that we can set the computer using vagcom and make the heat comes on instantly when start cold. any news?

um, no - the laws of thermodynamics would have something to say about that...

[Kordain]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

my buddies 2002? merc used to have a separate burner in the car that would burn diesel to warm the interior before the engine got warm, thats about as close as youll get.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

You should try driving a Smart for warming up, try getting heat out of a very efficient 0.8L Diesel, all I can say is thank god for heated seats!

[Lars]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

We put on external diesel heaters that can either heat the coolant or the interior but thats is on big diesel trucks and they are $2000 + they work really good for eliminating cold starts. Use to have a clip on the effects of cold start vs having a heater of some sort on, can't find it tho

[Doug_1.8T]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

ive got a 1.8t and im definitely installing one of these zerostart coolant heaters. but i called part source today and they said that the tank style zerostart coolant heater does have a pump which is contrary to what someone had mentioned earlier in this thread. also, do these heaters have check valves? because i wouldn't want my regular coolant flow to shut off if the valve closed.

people also keep talking about putting them on a timer? is this totally necessary, or can i plug it in over night? i know the tank style heaters have overheat protection..

im very fresh to this web forum so forgive my ignorance, but has anybody done a DIY on a 1.8T install? ive seen the DIY for the 2.0 and for the TDI but not for the 1.8T. any help would be great!

[Red90]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

The 5000 series discussed here have no pump or check valve.

You could plug it on all night, but your electrcitity bill will skyrocket. It is a lot of electricity. Timers are cheap.

[Doug_1.8T]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

yea thats true! ill get a timer! thanks

[Red90]

Re: Zerostart: Best $54 EVER! (review)

Just found the part on the CT website.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/pr...08474396672419

ZeroStart™ Tank/Circulation Engine Heater
$64.99
Product #30-3294-0

No idea if it is the 1000W or the 750W.