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General => Technical | How To => Topic started by: Stig / Major Tom on October 13, 2013, 01:29:44 AM

Title: Engine block warmers on a scoot in winter?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on October 13, 2013, 01:29:44 AM

Don't want to run this cold weather scootering into the ground - but, just remembered that I have a small engine block warmer (adheres to the bottom of engine) still in the package from my pre-scooterin' car. The scoot will be parked in a garage next to an outlet - has anyone used a block heater on their scooters? Or, the old light bulb and blanket heater in the winter?

Title: Re: Engine block warmers on a scoot in winter?
Post by: de-dee on October 13, 2013, 02:04:31 AM

warmers are good for starting ,. I use a timer, it makes a differance,. 

Title: Re: Engine block warmers on a scoot in winter?
Post by: tortoise on October 13, 2013, 03:33:04 AM

Just throwing this out for discussion . . if it could be done safely, would it not be preferable to warm the fuel so it would atomize better in cold temperatures, especially on a fuel injected engine (no carb fuel bowl), as compared to engine oil?  On a metal scooter gas tank, perhaps something like a candle warmer (http://www.walmart.com/ip/No-Flame-Candle-Plate-6-1-2-x-7/24672061) could be attached with Velcro . . or a stick-on Kat's 25 watt silicone pad heater (http://www.amazon.com/Kats-24025-Watt-Universal-Heater/dp/B000I8XDBM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top).

On a carbureted engine, if the carb mounting configuration allowed to do so safely, perhaps something like a small iron (http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHZ28&P=7) could be placed through the seat-tub bottom access opening and positioned against the carb fuel bowl.

Title: Re: Engine block warmers on a scoot in winter?
Post by: ts1 on October 13, 2013, 10:31:45 AM

What winter temperatures are you talking about?
Fuel is liquid even at -40°C. That's usally not the problem.
Better use good winter oil, viscosity like OW30.
Cold air is good for more oxygen. But beware of carburet freezing. Some scooters have automatic carburetor heating, others fuel injection. Problematic are simpe carburetors.

Title: Re: Engine block warmers on a scoot in winter?
Post by: de-dee on October 13, 2013, 11:25:37 AM

  the battery can loose up to 1/2 of its poop in cold weather,.  thats why in canada you can get 1,000 cold cranking amps, in a car battery 800 is average, 

Title: Re: Engine block warmers on a scoot in winter?
Post by: JJJoseph on October 25, 2013, 04:19:21 AM

Quote from: Stig on October 13, 2013, 01:29:44 AM

has anyone used a block heater on their scooters?

I just drive my Sento into the kitchen.  On really cold nights I take it to bed with me.

Title: Re: Engine block warmers on a scoot in winter?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on October 26, 2013, 12:23:20 AM

Quote from: JJJoseph on October 25, 2013, 04:19:21 AM

I just drive my Sento into the kitchen.  On really cold nights I take it to bed with me.

It gets the lower bunk, right? How many cc's is it?