Welcome to michigan with 0 and below 0 temperatures. I am forced to drive my RX7 in the snow and it handles very well, but i know when rotarys are cold they dont run worth a ****. So i am wondering if there are any tricks or block heaters available??

 

One can imagine fabricating their own block heater by interposing a pump/heater in the coolant circulation system. These are some problems you've gotta solve:

1-where to hook in? Probably in the upper hose from radiator to thermostat flange because it's easy and gives you a chance to subvert the thermostat so it doesn't inhibit circulation. Maybe in a heater hose, especially if it solves the t'stat problem.

2-where to get power? At home in the garage or driveway you've got 110VAC, but how about that windswept mall parking lot? May need an auxiliary battery to trickle-warm the block while not exhausting the regular battery.

3-How much heat and circulation are required?

4-How about heating the oil instead? That'll make the bearings turn easier quickly, but probably not help the quick-condensation problem in the intake system. If it were useful an oil dipstick calrod heater would be attractive and easy.

5-is there an alternative to block heating? In the old days we'd go to the pharmacy and get a can of ether, but I think that's illegal now. I seem to remember needing to get a nurse-friend get me some hospital ether about 40 years ago to start a balky car. There ARE some commercial "starter fluids" that one can try. I have one in my garage for the unexpected emergency.

6-maybe one just has to heat the intake manifold to reduce fuel condensation.

7-maybe a fuel pre-heater would reduce unwanted condensation. Could be either the air, fuel, or AF mixture, I suppose, tho fuel probably has the best specific-heat capacity.

8-separate the starter and ignition circuits so you are assured of a good spark even as the starter drags the battery voltage down.

Does anyone have proven ideas for cold-weather starting?

 

Take a look at dipstick heaters. Mall of America has plugs in every parking space in the garage for just such a device. A lot of places have banned them because people not knowing how to use them have burned their cars up but it will heat the oil in the crankcase which should help turn it over better. All you do is stick it in, plug it in, and give it a little bit to warm up. I'm not sure the length at which you can use it but throwing it in at least an hour before you go will help you.
Ultimately a good tune-up should fix cold start issues.

 

I have used several schemes over the years. The RX-2/3/4 cars were available from the dealer with an optional block heater that screwed into the threaded hole near the bottom of the front cast iron on the left side, where you will find a plug. They were 250-300 watts as I recall. Looks like a cigar with a threaded hex fitting on one end. I have a couple of them stashed away for future use.

There are heaters available that fit into your heater hose, clamp to your oil pan, or have threaded bungs that weld into your oil pan. The most painless way is the rubber heating pad shown here:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...=engine+heater

 

Yep, JEGS also sells these, and they work well. Diesels wouldnt start without them, thats for sure. Its a fine idea, worth trying.

 

I have always wondered if you could put a freeze plug heater in the freeze plug behind the flywheel.

A lower radiator hose heater should work good also. (they go inline with the hose)
Advance auto has them.

 

I was wondering whether the lower rad hose would allow circulation and obviate the T'stat problem.

 

Mine's got one. Looks stock. Canadian model though.

I'd show you a picture, but my baby's laid up for the winter a ways away.

 

Years ago I had issues with my car not starting when cold. My boss told me to put a 100 watt bulb in a work light and leave it under the hood at night (turned on). Worked great. Just make sure you don't get it close to anything flammable, the exhaust side of the engine would probably be the best place for it.

 

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE PLEASE FED-X ME SOME SNOW. Its too hot in SOCAL.

 

Mazda had one that they offered as an accessory to the RX-7, maybe you could get ahold of one of those!

 

I would take a big standing work light and put it under the block put it on a timer. They put enough heat out to warm the block

 

We got stuck up near Boyne Mtn one year skiing. Ended up taking a cookie sheet and charcoal from the grill and letting it heat up the engine, worked great in a pinch. I put a block heater in a freeze plug hole after that trip(car was a diesel)

You should be able to find one to fit behind the flywheel in one of those holes.

 

lite a can of Sterno under the oil pan

 

The canadian models actually come with 2 block heaters!

The main one was mentioned above, it looks like a long probe that you screw into the coolant passage on the bottom of the engine block.

The second one is a big coil element that just bolts to the front rotor housing around the spark plugs.

Just find someone parting a canadian car, and snag the heaters!

 

where in michiland are you? you should meet up with me and kentetsu for the next round of autocrosses

 

I told you I sent you snow, but you keep insisting it was just water. I tell you I sent you a cup of snow, not a cup of water!!!