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DaftOldGit



Member Since: 20 Sep 2015
Location: London
Posts: 52
United Kingdom 
Arctic preparation: Engine heater question
I'm planning a trip to Kittila in North Finland. The temperature there in January can be -30 to -40.
All the cars there have electric engine pre-heaters for use overnight and at -40 even they have trouble starting.
I'll be camping overnight near the roadside on the journey and so won't have electric hook-up for a heater.
I've read on here that at -25 starting can be difficult but achievable with the help of a gas stove under the sump for half an hour!

A diesel pre-heater costs a small fortune and can't justify it just for a two week holiday. I'm wondering if I could fit an electric one and have a small generator running all night.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Post #524406 16th Apr 2016 8:23am
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Paddie42



Member Since: 24 Apr 2014
Location: Hamphire
Posts: 230
England 2003 Defender 110 Td5 SW Belize Green
I bought a diesel powered air heater from MV Heating http://mvheating.co.uk including the remote for less than £800. They do also have the water heater than many use to heat the engine. Might be worth giving them a call.

They electric sump heaters that I looked at are 2kw or higher, so you would need a generator that can produce that power. Would that have the same problem with temperature?
Post #524450 16th Apr 2016 11:09am
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VeeTee



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1512
Netherlands 
Leave the engine running overnight? Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold)
1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold)

MySite
Post #524461 16th Apr 2016 11:59am
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bpman



Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069
2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Depending on whether you are camping with electric supply or rough camping would make the difference. Cabins usually have a mains plug outside.

Batteries also start to freeze (even gell) at -50c

You don't state your Land Rover type, if you have a tdci you will also need a breather heater

I fitted a block heater on my 2,4 for an arctic trip and still use it when it's cold in the uk

Insulate your foot wells and your battery box

It's not going to be much fun if you can't start your truck, so either go fully prepared, take the risk,or don't go. Arctic is a whole lot more difficult on a tight budget
Post #524544 16th Apr 2016 5:26pm
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RustyM



Member Since: 28 Oct 2013
Location: Africa/The Med
Posts: 222
England 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
Protect your engine with one of these http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/e...pre-heater

Rule of thumb when we were in artic conditions was if it was outside it was left running... 90 & Wolf
110 XS
Previously owned SI SII SIIa SIII & Light weight (air portable)
Post #524558 16th Apr 2016 6:29pm
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markalpha



Member Since: 23 Apr 2008
Location: Downham Market
Posts: 690
England 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black
Best way to see the Artic, Dog sled or Snowmobile. Thumbs Up
Post #524737 17th Apr 2016 1:18pm
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Bumpymike



Member Since: 18 Nov 2015
Location: cheshire
Posts: 71
United Kingdom 1992 Defender 90 200 Tdi SW Bronze Green
Finding a plug in point is easiest answer, you can prepare for the worse if temp is -40c just leave engine engine running - if its -10c just take the chance.

Make sure door seals are good as a draught will freeze your leg !


http://www.defa.com/en/automotive/warmup/
Post #538512 8th Jun 2016 12:45pm
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Vesku



Member Since: 12 Jul 2016
Location: Paimio
Posts: 44
Finland 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Zermatt Silver
Hi

Here in Finland we use Defa or Calix engine preheaters and Webasto/Ebersbächer engine/cabin heater and webasto/Eber airheaters if needed.

Vesku
Post #548103 12th Jul 2016 11:53am
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Cold_n_Wet



Member Since: 15 Oct 2012
Location: Bergen
Posts: 244
Norway 
The Defa / calix give say 500W a webasto or Eberspacher will give 5 kw.

The webasto runs for 30 minutes before I start the Defender, heats the block and thaws the interior.

My 2013 2,2 starts no problems at -25 without but I do use it when its -3c so it would be a long term investment.

Used Webasto Thermotop V come up quite cheap sometimes and its not a hard retrofit (except the tank fuel pick up which can be a PITA. "Rafiki" 2007 110 STW - Rolling rebuild.
Post #551765 27th Jul 2016 11:18pm
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vaucluse



Member Since: 04 Feb 2012
Location: SE London
Posts: 185
2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Java Black
I used to drive to Poland quite frequently 15 or 20 years ago and have found my worries about the low temperatures unfounded. I guess here in the UK we don't experience anything more than -5 generally. Those days I was driving Peugeot 306 and 406 turbo diesels and had absolutely no issues with starting or anything else. It'd fire it up and leave it running for ten minutes with the blower going full tilt.
The winter of 96/97 saw temperatures in northern Poland approaching -30 and close to -40 down south (my wedding day was -27). No one there did anything to their cars - they're all standard and had no issues. Modern well maintained vehicles should be fine up to -40.
Post #551797 28th Jul 2016 6:33am
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dorsetsmith



Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: South West
Posts: 4554

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Post #551798 28th Jul 2016 6:49am
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bpman



Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069
2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Great find !!

Would work well if you have access to 240v, so would be fine in Norway where the cabins have outside mains sockets
Post #551800 28th Jul 2016 7:03am
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Cold_n_Wet



Member Since: 15 Oct 2012
Location: Bergen
Posts: 244
Norway 
not a bad price, but the fuel powered heater is still my first choice. "Rafiki" 2007 110 STW - Rolling rebuild.
Post #551901 28th Jul 2016 1:56pm
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