The most inexpensive type of engine preheater is electric, built into the cylinder block, or placed next to it. In fact, this is a modified electric boiler. Only its main task is not to bring the liquid to a boil, but to heat it to such a state that the engine can start quickly in the cold season.
With the first view, everything is clear: the power of the devices is only 400-750 W. Their purpose is to maintain a certain temperature regime directly in the cylinder block. In addition to the heating element and the wire leading to the 220-volt outlet, there are no additional sensors, pipes and other devices here.
Video - self-installation of an electric engine preheater for 220 volts:
Is a “boiler” with a wire not enough for you? Then it will not be superfluous to buy an ordinary timer, if accuracy up to every second is so fundamentally important to you.
The most famous Russian heaters of this type are Homeless (from 1,200 rubles), Start-mini (from 950 rubles). The devices mentioned are mainly intended for, but are there any obstacles for domestic craftsmen?
In fairness, it should be noted that our motorists still consider a car primarily a luxury on which too much money has already been spent. People are somehow not ready to “spoil” their iron horses with expensive heaters, and therefore the popularity of models is growing, the cost of which does not exceed 2,000 rubles. The same cohort includes models with the names "Lestar", "Start M1", "Start M2", "Siberia-M", "Alliance".
Recently, units of this type have been improved, equipped not only with timers, but also with an emergency switch, which, in case of overheating, cuts off the power supply. The disadvantage of such structures is that it has become more difficult to install them in the space near the engine.
Another point that makes the use of such devices not too pleasant is the need to open the hood cover every time in order to stretch the wire from the device to the outlet. True, now the connector has already begun to be displayed under the bumper, which greatly facilitated operation.
Video - engine preheater 12 volts (24V, 220V) in the form of flexible heating plates:
More "advanced" starting preheaters are autonomous, adapted to the power supply from the car's mains and designed for a voltage of 12 volts. Along with a lot of advantages, such devices have very significant disadvantages:
- the presence of internal devices subject to wear and tear and requiring replacement;
- plaque formation in pipes and combustion chambers due to insufficient fuel cleaning;
- installation requiring certain skills;
- great cost.
This is just the last point - the main reason why the purchase of pre-start autonomous heaters is constantly postponed for “later”. After all, not everyone can easily lay out an average of 30,000 to 90,000 rubles for a device, even if its usefulness is beyond doubt.
Those who installed on their car leave a variety of, but among them there are quite a lot of positive ones.
Video - engine preheater from 220 Volt Severs + on a Mitsubishi L200 car:
May be of interest:
Scanner for self-diagnosis of a car
In the harsh Russian winter, the thermometers often drop to temperatures at which the high-quality operation of the mechanisms and working fluids of the car is guaranteed. Automakers claim that modern cars don't need to warm up the engine for stable and reliable operation, but many drivers face problems already at 15-20 degrees below zero. Nevertheless, even in bitter cold, as in this winter, you can ensure an easy and safe start for the engine.
How to warm up a car in winter without damaging the engine?
To warm up or not to warm up?
Traditionally, the most common method of "helping" an engine in cold weather is to warm it up at idle for 10-15 minutes. The logic of the drivers is very simple: the motor will warm itself up to operating temperature during this time, the oil will acquire its usual density, and there is no need to buy and install anything additional. But what about the very fact of a cold start?
It is known that each start of the engine in frosty weather reduces the life of the engine as a few hundred kilometers under normal conditions. Low temperatures lead to metal compression, an increase in micro-gaps between engine parts, and thickened oil cannot adequately perform protective functions. All this negatively affects the condition of key engine components and can lead to their breakdown.
It is at the moment of starting that you cause the greatest damage to your car, and not when driving at high speeds in winter, which is physically impossible in the first minutes after starting due to the natural change in the parameters of fuel volatility and the density of working fluids. Do not forget about the environment - it is no coincidence that in a number of European countries the operation of the engine without idling is prohibited.
Warming up the engine in severe frost sometimes becomes a serious problem.
Autostart systems provide a more gentle option. At least the driver doesn't need to get cold outside or in a cold car. It is convenient that many products provide conditions for starting the engine not only in time, but also after reaching a certain temperature.
Such a system also has disadvantages: frequent use of autorun negatively affects the resource of equipment, leads to an increase in fuel consumption, and even increases the risk of theft.
At extremely low temperatures, there is no effective warm-up at idle. Moreover, there is a serious risk of engine damage due to freezing of the crankcase ventilation system.
Electric heating - reliable and safe
If we do not take into account exotic options, for example, thermal insulation (warming) of the hood, which can be effectively used in practice only in combination with other methods of heating, the most practical method today is to use an engine preheater.
In regions with the coldest winters, it is often impossible to do without such devices, so most motorists in Siberia, the Urals and the Far East choose electric heating.
Heaters "Severs-M" and "Severs+" manufactured by CJSC "Leader"
The main advantage of electric heating is the absence of a cold start. The engine starts only after the coolant has warmed up to a high temperature, which allows both the mechanisms themselves and the working fluids (primarily engine oil) to be brought into working condition. High-quality heaters (for example, "Severs +") provide uniform heating of all engine parts, which also has a beneficial effect on its condition and does not reduce the resource. In any weather, the motor is guaranteed to be ready for a safe start in half an hour!
Information about overheating and even fires of such equipment usually refers to cheap Chinese products, while preheaters from the Leader company are equipped with double protection - a thermostat and a thermal switch, which eliminates the possibility of emergency situations.
Easy installation - easy engine start
Another important feature of electric engine heating systems is their ease of installation. Any driver will be able to mount the finished kit on his car within a couple of hours. The heaters are practical, do not require constant care and maintenance, as well as serious intervention in the design of the car - there is no risk of losing the warranty from the car dealership.
In anticipation of winter, check the condition of the battery, working fluids, electrical equipment and evaluate the need to install additional means to support starting the engine in cold weather. Then the car will delight in any weather!
Heating the engine in winter can be done simply and easily if you install a heater. If you are not already aware of this possibility, let's look at this information in more depth. Such heating can be carried out using electric heaters, working both from the car network and from the socket.
Let's start with the fact that the electric heating of the 220 V engine is carried out with the installation of a preheating system. I want to note that such devices carry out work by connecting to a household network.
The engine coolant increases its temperature due to the fact that it is heated by a thermocouple. The circulation of the heat carrier begins through the system of a small cooling circle. As soon as the desired temperature is reached, a thermal relay is connected to work in order to disconnect the heater from the network.
Thus, the electric heating of the engine does not allow overheating of the cooling liquid. The temperature system is automatically regulated, so such a device can be left on all night without worrying about possible overheating. In general, everything is very simple. However, let's, in order to understand the general essence of the work, take a closer look at what such a system consists of.
On sale you can find several types for heating the engine using 220 volts. Which boilers to choose?
Heating system DEFA WarmUp
This Norwegian device, although simple, is very reliable.
Heating elements are designed for many engine models and are installed in the engine plugs.
The operation process is simple: "boiler" - heats up the coolant, and with it the oil is heated. This device can work even without a control module.
Those who prefer comfort can use the complete set of Defa heating and install:
- into the interior heating module, which is fast ;
- charger for the battery, which will provide a full charge of the battery throughout the winter;
- module for managing the entire system;
- remote control SmartStart, works from a distance of up to 1200 meters;
- special cable for 220V network.
The price of a 220v engine heating system from Defa depends on the configuration and brand of the vehicle.
Video: preheaters Defa.
There are similar analogues of domestic production, but the quality is lame!
Other electric heaters
On the market you can buy boilers for heating the motor of other well-known brands, for example:
- Start-M;
- Severs-M.
How these electric boilers work:
when the device is connected to a 220V socket, the coolant is heated in its housing and, using a valve, due to the pressure difference, directional circulation (antifreeze) is obtained through the heating and cooling system of the vehicle.
And the thermostat is designed to prevent overheating of the device itself and the cooling liquid.
How to install heating with your own hands
The purchased kit contains an installation manual that will help you install the pre-start electric boiler yourself.
All instructions are different depending on the device model, but the installation principle is usually as follows:
- drain the coolant;
- fix the appliance to the cylinder block;
- instead of a temperature sensor, put a tee fitting and screw the temperature sensor into it, and put a branch for the hose through which the heated liquid will flow;
- instead of a drain plug (faucet) on the cylinder block, put a hose outlet for cold liquid, which will go into heating;
- tighten the clamps on the hoses;
- pour (antifreeze).
Video: engine heating 220V, principle of operation and installation on the VAZ 2110.
Methods for heating a diesel engine in winter and what type of heater to choose?
Today, there is already good equipment for heating a diesel engine in winter. Mainly, types of electric heaters are produced that operate from the network of a car for heating the fuel system of a diesel engine.
What types are:
- heaters for fine filters, installed inside the filter;
- flow heaters, mounted in the fuel line;
- bandage heaters, put on the filter housing;
- posistor type heaters are installed in the fuel intake in the fuel tank;
- well, autonomous engine heating (liquid), mounted in any car.
Video: filter separator with heating.
Video: review of Nomacon diesel fuel heaters.
When choosing a heater, I recommend paying attention to the engine design and parking conditions. Autonomous heaters need a supply of fuel in the tank and an excellent battery condition. Storage heaters are beneficial when used frequently.
pay attention to electric heaters from the network 220V. The electric option is winning for the diesel engine. They are inexpensive. They are especially relevant in cases where the car is located in a garage or at home. You can purchase Severs, Electrostart or Defa models in order to save your budget.
Engine heating efficiency using the Webasto system
Those who are not constrained by funds can take advantage of engine heating, as it allows you to get rid of a number of unpleasant moments in the winter. This system is produced by German manufacturers in two varieties.
In general, the device is a small combustion chamber. It is mounted in the engine compartment and connected to the cooling system. When antifreeze is heated, the engine heats up. In the cooling system, the liquid moves through the stove radiator due to the operation of an autonomous pump.
Liquid preheater - device and principle of operation
Do not forget that such a system, among other things, helps maintain the optimum air temperature in the cabin, no matter how many degrees it is outside. True, with such a system, fuel consumption becomes slightly higher.
However, if you try to compare the possibility of a long warm-up of the engine in the absence of a heating system, then such an expense is compensated. At the same time, the driver receives maximum comfort and convenience, since he will have to forget about such a problem as a cold steering wheel and seats.
"Start-M" is designed for pre-heating and heating of engines of passenger cars of domestic and foreign production in the winter period of operation, as well as medium-duty trucks of the GAZ and ZIL brands.
The principle of operation of the electric heater:
The coolant (antifreeze, antifreeze) is heated by a heating element in the heater housing. Due to the lower density, the heated liquid begins to circulate directionally and enter the engine cooling jacket. The place of the heated liquid is occupied by a colder one. This establishes a natural thermosiphon circulation of the coolant. A ball valve built into the inlet fitting prevents the ejection of heated fluid into the inlet hose when the pressure in the electric heater body rises. The thermostat automatically maintains the temperature of the coolant within the specified limits, and the emergency thermal switch prevents the heater from failing in the absence of coolant in it (double degree of protection). The engine warm-up time is from 40-60 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on climatic conditions (temperature, wind), as well as on the parking conditions of the car (open parking, garage).
Installation and maintenance:
The electric heater is built into the engine cooling system of foreign and domestic cars (external mounting method). The electric heater should be located in the engine compartment of the car as low as possible. The inlet pipe, if possible, should be located below the drain hole (plug) in the cylinder block. When laying the sleeves, it is necessary to ensure constant slopes, avoiding the formation of kinks and humps. It is necessary to monitor the health of the cooling system and maintain the required level of coolant in the system. The "Start-M" heater is horizontal and is installed with the outlet pipe upwards, while a slight (no more than 15 degrees) tilt is allowed. If you encounter difficulties during self-assembly, contact a car service station. Thanks to their simple design, electric heaters do not require frequent maintenance:
It is necessary to clean the outside of the heater from dirt and oil at least once a season.
Check the condition of the rubber sleeves, tighten the clamps if necessary.
It is recommended once a year before the onset of cold weather, remove it and rinse the inner cavity with hot water and a cleaning solution.
Technical data of electric heater:
Type of current - Variable, frequency 50 Hz
Rated voltage - 220 V
Protection class against electric shock - I
Degree of protection - IP 34
Weight no more than - 0.785 kg
Overall dimensions – 170×84×104 mm
Package weight - 1.8 kg
Overall dimensions of the package - 255×225×95 mm
Power consumption - 1.5; 2 kW
The temperature of the operation (shutdown) of the thermostat - 85 ° С
The temperature of return (switching on) of the temperature controller is 65 °С
Operation (shutdown) temperature emergency
thermostat - 125 °С
The problem of engine wear is one of the biggest headaches of every car owner. The start-up in the winter season is especially strong for the life of the power unit, when, due to frost, the motor needs much more power to start working. In order to prevent a sad outcome, it is enough to use a 220V engine preheater with a pump. However, not everyone knows which model is better and why. To help you deal with this, we have created our own ranking, which presents the best models on the market.
No. 7 - Simate (Simat) (PRC) 
Our list opens with a product created by Asian engineers - Simate (Simat). It is quite easy to install, in other words, like most other electric car heaters. Inexpensive in terms of price (from 1500 rubles), the model is equipped with an efficient pump, which ensures efficient pumping and, as a result, heating of the coolant. At the same time, it does not matter in which car you use the heater - in a car or a truck. The device is equipped with a special thermostat and overheating protection, so its service life is much longer than that of competitors. The same can be said about the safety of operation.
Simate engine preheater
No. 6 - Hot Start (USA) 
The American company Hot Start is one of the market leaders and has been known for 75 years for producing only the best 220V engine preheaters with a pump. The company's products can reduce the cost of a motorist for fuel, fuel and lubricants and various repair services, since it significantly increases the life of the engine. Each, without exception, the model is made in accordance with international standards and certified according to ISO 9001, which guarantees the quality of workmanship and a high level of safety. You can buy a device at a price of 2000 rubles, and for your money this is an excellent choice.
Hot Start Engine Preheater
No. 5 - Start-Turbo (Russia)
A Russian-made product cannot boast of ease of installation, and for high-quality installation, an inexperienced car owner will have to seek help from a special center. However, this disadvantage is fully compensated by the excellent technical performance of the heater and its reliability. For example, antifreeze is heated up to 49 degrees, after which an emergency shutdown occurs until the temperature drops. The time required for the car to start is significantly reduced, and after it there are no various noises and malfunctions that are familiar to every driver. Even in winter, for the first time after launch, the car will drive at a decent level of traction. The price starts from 1800 rubles.
Engine preheater Start-Turbo
No. 4 - Longfei 
Contrary to many negative reviews, Longfei products are one of the most popular on the market. The opinions of users differed - some praise the performance indicators and affordable price, while others, on the contrary, complain about frequent marriage and various malfunctions. Thus, when buying a device, you do not know whether you will be lucky or not. However, it is worth noting that if luck is still on your side, you will have at your disposal one of the best heaters on the market.
The power of the model is 3 kW, the coolant is heated by a heating element, and the antifreeze is run by a centrifugal pump. Power is supplied by connecting to a conventional 220V power supply, while there is a small drawback - the cord of the model is short, so you have to fork out for an additional extension cord. The question of dimensions disappears - Lunfei can be equally well used for both cars and trucks. In stores, the price of this heater is usually equal to 4300 rubles.
Longfei engine preheater
No. 3 - Atlant (Russia)
The bronze medalist of our rating was another product of domestic engineers - an electric engine preheater Atlant. It is assembled, I must say, quite reliably and firmly. If you disassemble the device, you can find that there are gaskets between the contacts that prevent the risk of short circuits. All body materials are of high quality and not flimsy. The wires are made of copper, and the frame of the motor is made of metal plates. The heating element is a monolithic plate with longitudinal ribs.
In work, Atlant shows itself worthy - heating occurs quickly, due to which the time required for the machine to start is reduced by 2-3 times. After starting, the car drives confidently and quietly. This is precisely the reason that the domestic product has collected so many laudatory reviews in its address. If you are looking for a decent heater, then Atlant is the best choice. You can buy it at a price of 3150 rubles.
Engine preheater Atlant
No. 2 - Severs + - (Russia)
The Severs preheater is the pride of Russian engineers who managed to create a truly successful product that is an ideal combination of price and quality. The device is built into the car's cooling system and when connected to the network, the heating element, which is located in the housing, begins to warm up the circulating antifreeze. At the same time, the circulation pump is also started, pumping the heated liquid through the cooling system. When the required temperature mark is reached, the thermostat automatically switches off the heating element and the pump. As soon as the indicator drops below the set mark, a restart occurs. This results in the coolant temperature always being within the specified range. According to measurements, after half an hour of operation of the heater, the temperature of the coolant is 70 degrees - and this is a lot in comparison with competitors. Device power: 2 kW. As for the price, everything is quite democratic here - 2100 rubles.
Severs+ engine preheater
#1 - OWL
The result of the work of German engineers, the OWL heater, topped our rating. It is assembled extremely reliably, all components are of the highest quality and equipped with the necessary safety equipment. Due to its compact dimensions, namely the small width of the body between fittings of 3.5 cm, it can be installed directly on hoses without resorting to adapters. brackets and tees. OWL is suitable for all vehicles and engines.
Installing the device is not difficult even for a novice car owner. This is a huge advantage of the model over domestic devices. OWL is equipped with a built-in thermostat that turns off the heating system when the temperature reaches 60 0 C. When it drops to 40 0 C, the system turns on again. The device performance of 1.1 kW was called optimal by many experts, since at such values the heat from the liquid spreads in the cylinder block slowly enough not to provoke sudden temperature changes and local boiling of antifreeze in those places where it comes into contact with the heating element. This model cannot be called affordable, after all, its price is about 7,000 rubles, but this is due to a decent level of reliability and good performance.
Engine preheater OWL
