block heater, which plug? (325iX)

[propr'one]

I have a katz 44.5mm block heater (should be right for the iX), but i'm not sure which frost plug to stick it into. Some people have said #1, most people say 3 or 4 behind the oil filter. Anyone got an answer of what works? Its -21C right now, i hate starting my car when its this cold (it cries).

[jlevie]

I doubt that it matters a lot which freeze plug you use, but I'd use one close to the midpoint of the block.

[Ceeker]

mid point would make sense to distribute the heat evenly. but by the time you get out in the morning the whole block will be warm. also depends on how much wire you want to use. Further back more wire. :-)

[propr'one]

I dont think it fits in every frost plug, the documentation says to insert it into a specific plug (but to check with dealer as to which plug that is)

as to the wiring, it wont matter, its gotta get connected to the battery heater in the trunk, the tranny heater and probably some sort of cabin heater. Its -24C right now. I expect under -35 before the end of Dec.

[Dolmangar]

-35? That's just crazy talk right there. The worst I've seen is -10F in the mountains of Virginia, and the next day it was back up to 20F, everyone was outside with just sweaters because "it's 30 degrees warmer than yesterday!".

What other things do you have to do to maintain a car in that sort of weather? I'd imagine you've got very thin oil, special thermostats, really good window washer fluid etc. Plus it's got to kill leather seats, and interior plastics.

I dont think it fits in every frost plug, the documentation says to insert it into a specific plug (but to check with dealer as to which plug that is)

as to the wiring, it wont matter, its gotta get connected to the battery heater in the trunk, the tranny heater and probably some sort of cabin heater. Its -24C right now. I expect under -35 before the end of Dec.

[propr'one]

well, you're welcome to learn with me, i just moved out to northern alberta so i'm learning everything as i go along.

The block will be heated by a 400w block heater (frost plug style).
The transmission will be heated by a 100w pad style heater (wont be fun to do, since there's no flat surface on the tranny) Right now, in N, if i let the clutch out when the car is cold, it will stall.
-80w blanket type battery heater
The cabin will be heated by a 650w heater/defogger (i live in a condo, and dont pay for power at the carport, so why not:P)

For oil i'm running mobil 1 5w20 synthetic. I'm changing everything else (atf, power steering, transfer case & both diffs) over to synthetic also.

Your average household outlet can only handle about 1800w (20A breaker *110v = 2200, with a bit to spare) of actual draw on the line, so i probably wont add much more. If necessary i may add a heater specifically for the oil pan, but with synthetic + other heating i think it will be fine.

As for thermostats, i'm using the stock one for now. I'll probably have to cover up part of the rad with some cardboard, you have to beat the shit out of it at to get heat when its cold (its -27 right now)

[propr'one]

So, i just got back from the shop, apparently the block heater doesn't fit. Back to the drawing board while i try to find frost plugs that fit the bmw in the middle of nowhere.

Edit: So the new plan is lower rad hose heater instead of frost plug heater, just since its easier to install.