WHY NOT USE OIL PAN HEATERS SINCE OIL IS THICKER IN COLD WEATHER?
• Cold oil in the pan does not make engine starting more difficult. In addition, oil is a poor conductor of heat and is easily damaged by too much heat. Due to required lower wattage of oil heater, insufficient heat is transferred from oil pan to critical points on engine where heat IS required (upper cylinder area). [WARNING: NEVER USE A HEATER DESIGNED FOR COOLANT AS AN OIL HEATER. Engine damaging carbon particles will form and heater will rapidly fail.] Oil heat is required (see J.Jeb series “OH” oil heaters) when extremely low ambient temperatures make oil so thick it will not be picked up by oil pump, causing oil starvation (low oil pressure) and excessive engine wear. Under normal circumstances, an in block engine heater will warm all engine oil in passages, oil pump, and in oil cooler. When engine is started, cold oil pan oil is sent through warmed oil pump, oil passages and oil cooler, quickly raising oil temperature and insuring correct viscosity for lubrication.
