Winter is coming. Need more heat. Ideas?

[thanatos9]

I'm in the middle of Canada. Several times in a winter it can get to -40F. On nights close to these temps, the heater in my explorer and my corolla can't make enough heat fast enough to counteract the fridged wind beating against my windows. So your breath and all other moisture in the car freezes the moment it touches the window and it won't defrost. I've asked around and everyone i talk to says it happens to them too on the really cold nights. What is a way i can add extra heat to the explorer? I thought about bolting down a small kerosene or propane space heater in the back, and leaving a rear window cracked, but would still be worried about the fumes.

 

[slo5oh]

-40, that's way cold. Don't do this on my recommendation, but I'd look into using a higher temp thermostat. Keep your engine hotter = hotter coolant = hotter air blowing through your car.
If your explorer is a 5.0 and you've rebuilt it, it's common to replace the t-stat with a 180* one for many reasons, but stock should be 205* I believe. If you're all stock with cast iron heads, you may want to see what other options your local auto parts store sells... I probably wouldn't take it above 215/220, but with all cast iron, you won't be damaging anything until a lot hotter than that.

 

[corkey]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231320&highlight=wind+stopper

 

[SoNic67]

Stock thermostat was 192F in my 5.0L. Check what you have in there first.
Insulate the front of engine (cartboard) so the cold air won't cool off the block and radiator. Leave open just the bottom. Watch the temperature gauge after you do that. Cartbord is "ajustable" based on the outside temp - I used to bend it in half whan the temp was rising a little more in the 0's range. Haha, not in Virginia...
Eventually insolate the back side windows with some kind of blankets - legally you need to see in the front, back and the two side windows in front.

 

[Carguy3J]

You can get 12v electric heaters made for use in cars. I don't know how much help they would be in your extreme cold, but it's worth a shot.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=827209_0_0_

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Koolatron-Auto-Heater/11710385

I definitely would NOT use a propane or kerosene heater in the vehicle. That's asking for a big fireball!

 

[ranger7ltr]

Corkey's grill insert reminded me...

I was in Ottawa for a few months in 2006...My rental car was a Chrysler 300C which was a very nice ride...But it didn't get hot enough inside from my hotel to the job site...I was in Ottawa when the temps from a low of -15 to a high of 90+ F...When I complained to the rental car company and asked for another car they had me come in and gave me a cover for the grill...Told me that as long as the ambient temp was under 40F the engine would be fine and heat up quickly and the hvac system would be comfy...They were right and I could keep the car the rest of the time I was in Canada...

BTW Corkey that is a good looking grill filler...

 

[waskly]

most sub zero area's block air flow across the radiator or restrict it. so the cold wont dissipate all the heat.

 

[corkey]

the piece i cut does that very well, and even in -45 it allows the engine to make good heat.

 

[waskly]

i was thinking more of a piece of cardboard between the rad and condenser. maybe one opening in the middle small.

its easy to remove when its hot, and when its cold its an easy insert.

 

[corkey]

that works too, i did that for a while.
and in the end i just made the aluminum one up ,

 

[SoNic67]

As I said, I did use the cartbord too. Is way cheaper and flexible - you can bend it in half on the road if engine overheats.

 

[thanatos9]

Much thanks. I will try too control air flow to the rad and skip the backseat fire hazard. now all i need is cold weather to test it out. Second thought.. I can wait.