Anyone ever install or have a block heater on their 850. I figure it is a sure way of increasing fuel efficiency and extending life of car.

Georgia does get cold and damp, but cold is all relative. Tapsa thinks -20C is cold, I think -30C is a bit nippy, and people in Georgia, USA, think 0C is really cold!

So long as you use 5W or 10W-30, preferably synthetic oil, your engine will warm up quickly enough not to do any damage to the rings. In less than 1 mile you should have heat to compliment heated seats.

A block heater does not save money. You are running 100W for 10-12 hours to keep engine oil warm. If you have an enclosed garage, clean it out and park your car in it. If you have a carport, build some walls around it. If you park on the street or parking lot, when is someone going to steal the extension cord?

If I could bypass local codes, I would install a garage heater in my garage. But I am hampered a little because of the bedrooms above the garage, limiting the flue position. At least then I would also have the benefit of having a work bench at 55F (18C).
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Praying for Cynthia Amendt, heaven bound

haha yeah I tend to think of anything above -15c warm in January. I have seen the temp dip to about -33c or so (-28f?) and I know it's been colder but I've never actually seen it on the thermometer.

I am mostly concerned about the convenience of a parking heater/block heater/cabin heater solution rather than the money saving/engine preserving characteristics of it. It seems really difficult to find a parking heater in NA for anything, universal or otherwise, let alone the actual Volvo OEM one. Also they seem quite expensive. I don't even think parking heaters are offered as an option on new Volvos in NA. That may change if they ever start to sell their diesels here though...

BTW does anyone have any idea why Volvo hasn't brought their diesels across to NA yet? It seems like a no-brainer.


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1998 V70 AWD->FWD Turbo 200k+

The Euro/world version of the 5 cyl diesel will not meet the pollution standards of Calif and New England. Considering out fuel pricing, diesel is more expensive than gasoline, there is little demand for it. Even with the fuel economy of a diesel, there is very little savings compared to a gasoline 5 cyl @ 30mph.

There is also the availibility of diesel. I have a MB 3L diesel, and finding stations that serve automobiles is far and few between. #2 truck diesel will generally gel when it gets close to 0F, and a block heater wouldn't do much good.

Coming up from the south 2 winters ago, I tanked up in middle Indiana. The pump said #2, but the temp was 40F. When I parked for the night in Chicago, the temp dropped to -17F. The car would not start, the tank was solid! It took 8 hours indoors to thaw the tank enough to let the pump pump fuel. I then ran to the Twincities, tanked again with #1 diesel and parked in my garage.

The #1 diesel around here in the winter is about 50/50 kerosene, severe knocking at 3/4 throttle.

I do get 40% better mpg than the gasoline version of the same car, but it is usually 25-50 cents more per gallon. Of course, no spark plugs, etc so no tune ups either.

Klaus
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Praying for Cynthia Amendt, heaven bound

aha. So the emissions stuff is part of the equation, and it sounds like the convenience issues are the other part.

Still, it's hard to argue with the maintenance/durability of a diesel :)

BTW - which part of the emissions rules will Volvo's diesels not pass? I think Volvo is pretty progressive on their carbon/mileage numbers... I seem to remember reading that they are more focused on carbon/mileage than mpgs and that's why their fuel economy numbers are not as great as some other makers - because they believe carbon emissions are more important.

Any thoughts on whether you think Volvo will ever make an attempt to certify one of their diesel engines here in NA?

Also, does anyone happen to know if Volvo makes their own diesel engines? I suspect the answer is yes, but we hardly hear anything about those engines here in NA...

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1998 V70 AWD->FWD Turbo 200k+

Volvo does design and make their own 5 cyl diesel engines. The problem with the strict California particle emissions are overcome by adding urea to the exhaust stream filter, effectively cleaning the filter on a timer basis.

Mercedes diesels accomplish the urea storage by eliminating the spare tire and using run-flat tires. A very expensive option. Also done with Audi/VW.

Klaus
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Praying for Cynthia Amendt, heaven bound

Hi, this year we just had 12 weeks below 0degC mostly -10 - -20 C. Thus the block heater (750W) is about a must. Volvo has external unit to be bolted to the back of engine, one bolt and wiring, easy DIY. I also have added cabin heater (700-2000W) for clear view and comfort.
br Tapsa
2x850-94,V70D5AWD-05

Interesting post Tapsa

Are you in NA?
What did you pay for your block heater, and where did you get it?
Is your cabin heater a Volvo unit or aftermarket? I assume it must be AC (not DC) at that wattage...



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1998 V70 AWD->FWD Turbo 200k+

Hi sorry, located in Europe. volvo block heater is over 10y old, was about 150$ that time, cabin heater 220VAC, same wiring as block heater, 3-stage power selection and thermostat based temp setting, type Modernum from Sweden.
br Tapsa

Thanks for that Tapsa.

I've personally been very interested in the Volvo OEM 'parking' heaters, but it seems like it's impossible to get them in NA.

It's pretty easy to find a 'rad hose' style block heater here, but they're only ~350W if you're lucky. The Volvo OEM ones are not nearly as easy to come by. I think there are 'circulating heater hose' style ones available as well...

You electric cabin heater seems very cool - I will try to find some info on it on the web.

Thanks again.

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1998 V70 AWD->FWD Turbo 200k+