Hello Rennlist,

I am considering a 997 and have read about the cold start issue. I also have a merecedes van that has a parking heater.

Has anyone had one of these installed on a 997?

I live in very cold climate and would like to drive a c4 in the winter here. My van has a fuel powered heater that heats the engine coolant without the engine running so that you can have a warm start.

I understand starting and driving right away is the best procedure but when this 997 is parked, at say a ski area all day, it will be very cold to start. With a parking heater, a timer can be set to warm the engine prior to starting.

These heaters are pretty small but need to be plumbed into the coolant loop. https://heaters4you.com/webasto/10-termo-top-evo-5.html

Anyone have any experience with parking heaters on a 911?

Thank you.

 

It'll be fine. Cold starts and cold climate aren't the problem, lack of mechanical sympathy and short trips are.

 

I disagree. Cold starts are a problem as it relates to bore scoring. It's the oil you need to be warmer though, not the coolant and you want to warm the engine more gradually, which is accomplished by using the Low Temp Thermostat. It will take longer to warm up as the thermostat will open sooner. I'd try to find a compatible engine block heater rather than the coolant one.

 

I agree with Petza. These cars are negatively impacted by cold environments as it relates to cylinder bore scoring.

OP, tell us more about this car. 997.1 or 997.2? Have you conducted a PPI on it?

 

I am currently shopping for a car. Most likely a 997.1, for sure a C4 or C4S.

What I am trying to determine is whether I can realistically DD this car in the winter. Our van, that has to live outside (its a high roof), has never had a cold start, even in below zero (F) temps. I run the parking heater about an hour prior to departure. When I get in and start the van, the glow plug light never makes me wait, and warm air blows out of the vents immediately. The temp on the van will show well over 100 (F) degrees on start up and that is with below zero ambient temp.

I like the parking heater because it runs off the onboard fuel meaning you can pre-heat no matter the location of the car (like a ski area parking lot).

I think the Webasto Unit would require about a square foot of space and plumbing to the 997 cooling loop.

I appreciate the replies.

 

There does seem to be proof that cold starts do negatively affect these cars. The coolant heater is an interesting idea but I do have to agree with Petza(somehow he always has the answers). That all being said, I can only imagine having the coolant at operating temp has too help with scoring as the block is bound to be warmer.

 

A pad heater is a better choice than a block heater. Sticks to the bottom of the oil pan.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/u...-0300004p.html

 

Thanks for the replies! The big benefit of the parking heater is that it is powered by the onboard fuel meaning you can pre-heat no matter the location of the car (i.e. not dependent on a place to plug in)