Русский





Warming the engine for the winter

Car engine, how and how to protect it from winter frosts. How to insulate a motor in winter. We protect the engine from winter frosts with a car blanket

Warming the engine for the winter

Most car owners do not like to drive in winter, not only because of the large amount of slush and too slippery roads, but also as a result of problems with starting the engine.

To prevent winter from turning into a complete stress for the driver, it is necessary to insulate the engine in a timely manner. In addition, one cold engine start is a multiple of approximately one hundred kilometers of vehicle mileage in terms of wear.

You can insulate the engine yourself for the winter using improvised materials or using special car blankets. More on this later in the article.  

Car engine, why insulate it in winter

Undoubtedly, you don’t have to insulate the engine.

Some car owners install engine preheaters or autostart systems on their cars, which makes it possible to save time after long periods of parking in the cold, and also to immediately get behind the wheel in a warm interior. However, these devices are quite expensive. In addition, the preheater shortens the life of the battery, and autostart “eats” a lot of fuel.

Due to frost, engine oil becomes thick and viscous, resulting in a malfunction of the moving parts of the system.

Naturally, thick oil takes much longer to reach the most remote corners of the system, as a result of which the surfaces of the elements interacting with each other wear out faster because they remain without lubrication.

That is, immediately after switching on, the engine actually runs “dry” and so-called “oil starvation” occurs.

The elements rub against each other with great force, and the thick oil has not yet had time to reach them. Because of this, the components wear out faster than usual, and the engine requires major repairs. The piston group suffers the most from excessively thick oil, which, as a rule, stops working first.

And even with fuel in frosty weather there are many problems associated. As a result of low temperatures, fuel evaporates worse and is poorly atomized.

These facts negatively affect the quality of the air-fuel mixture, which leads to unstable engine operation.

In addition, due to frost, the battery capacity decreases, since low temperatures can slow down the chemical processes inside the battery.

These problems can be solved in various ways. It all starts with insulating the engine and garage, and ends with the use of special additives and oils. The ideal option is the integrated use of all of the above methods.

You should prepare your car for winter in advance by replacing the oil with synthetic oil, the density of which does not change as the temperature drops. Engine protection is based on the insulation of the hood.

With this, the heat under the hood will be retained longer, which helps speed up the engine warming up process.

How to reduce fuel consumption in cold weather

Statistics show that fuel consumption increases by 25 percent in winter. This mainly happens due to the long warm-up of the engine. The average power unit, in order to warm up to operating temperature, is capable of burning up to half a liter of fuel, and taking into account today’s prices, this is simply “money for air”.

There are a number of ways to reduce fuel consumption in winter:

  1. The first method is recommended by the manufacturers of most foreign cars - do not warm up the engine at all. When traveling short distances without traffic jams, you may be able to save money. However, then you will have to spend a lot of money on overhauling the pistons, since heavy loads on the cold elements can destroy the mechanism. It is important for the manufacturer that the car passes the warranty period. What happens next is the problem of the car owner. Therefore, professionals still advise warming up the engine partly while idling, and partly while driving.
  2. The most common way among domestic car enthusiasts to reduce the engine warm-up time during a cold start is to cover up the radiator grille using cardboard or other dense material. It's hard to say how effective this is. The feasibility of this method is still being discussed on the Internet. Of course, you can try if you have an extra motor. However, cardboard is not able to affect the warm-up time, since it is not able to trap warm air that goes up from the motor, and not to the side.
  3. The third popular way to reduce fuel consumption in winter frosts is to insulate the engine. For example, cover it with felt, a blanket or even a jacket. But the main disadvantage of this method is insecurity. The same jacket or old blanket can catch fire at any time while driving, since during operation some parts of the engine heat up to 700 degrees Celsius.

Based on all of the above, we can conclude that in order to reduce fuel consumption (reduce engine warm-up time in winter), the engine must be insulated. However, this must be done by insulating the engine compartment, and not by closing the radiator.

As tests have shown, the optimal solution for insulating a motor is to use special materials designed specifically for this purpose. Such automotive insulation can withstand temperatures up to 1200 degrees Celsius and are made from high-tech fire-resistant fiber.

Car insulation, car blanket under the hood, advantages and useful properties

Materials for insulating the motor - so-called. car blankets are selected to match the size of the hood and are quite easy to install. With such a blanket, the engine will not boil, since the radiator grille remains open. Car blankets turn the hood of a car into a kind of thermos, since they do not release heat from the engine, which slows down its cooling and speeds up its heating.

According to experts, in the winter season, savings on gasoline with an insulated engine are up to 25 percent. Insulating the motor will pay for itself in just two months. In addition, the car blanket provides additional sound insulation of the engine compartment.

Automotive engine insulation has the following useful properties:

  1. Easy to install.
  2. Does not require constant care.
  3. The insulation is fireproof, non-toxic, and resistant to working fluids used in the car.
  4. It retains engine heat perfectly, so the engine warms up quickly and cools down much more slowly.

A real car blanket is of higher quality than a fake. Included with it, as a rule, is a passport, a company package and certificates. Engine insulation is made from environmentally friendly materials, and when used in winter there is no irritation on the hands.

Using branded insulation is profitable and simple; the main thing when choosing is to choose the right size.

Car blanket, how to install it yourself

It is very easy to insulate the engine yourself using a car blanket:

  1. The car blanket spreads over the engine and completely covers the compartment, since there is insulation of the required size for each car model.
  2. If the engine compartment turns out to be non-standard, it is possible to tuck the edges of the insulation.
  3. It is necessary to insulate the engine in the fall, when it gets cold. Remove the blanket in late spring. The rest of the time the car blanket is under the hood. No need to put it away at night.
  4. It cannot be washed. Dry cleaning only is allowed.
  5. Removing the insulation is as easy as installing it - it is rolled up and placed in a bag.

Pro tips, the best car blankets, is it necessary to insulate the engine in winter, will a car blanket pay for itself in a season

A branded car blanket will serve you for more than one season. If you drive a car every day, it will pay for itself several times in the first year, since accelerated warming up of the engine will save you fuel, time and money. In addition, the car blanket is inexpensive.

  • Tuning VAZ 2114: modification of the VAZ 2114, a little about everything
  • Throttle body, DIY throttle body cleaning
  • Gestures and light signals by drivers
  • Medical examination for a driver's license 2018
  • Lada Vesta official versions. Advantages and disadvantages of Lada Vesta
  • How to repair the gear motor of a VAZ 2110 stove
  • Kalina stove control unit: design, repair and replacement of the Kalina stove control unit
  • What is a pneumotester, how to evaluate its readings?
  • Oil pump VAZ 2107, do-it-yourself oil pump repair and replacement
  • What to do if your car is stuck in the snow, useful tips
  • The headlight is sweating from the inside, what should I do?
  • The VAZ 2107 stove does not heat well: how to repair the stove on a VAZ 2107
  • Anti-freeze, what is it and how to choose it correctly
  • Car lamps: LED, halogen, ice lamps How to choose lamps in a car
  • Reasons for antifreeze leakage: faulty cooling system, cooling radiator, heater radiator, faulty connections, antifreeze in the engine oil.
  • How to replace a light bulb in a car
  • How to photograph a car for sale, useful tips
  • How to choose a car service (and save money at the same time), useful tips
  • How to start a car in winter, useful tips
  • What can knock in a car? How to determine the cause of a knock?
  • How to diagnose a car yourself
  • Autonomous preheater, autonomous preheater with remote or programmable start
  • Replacing the silent block of the front suspension arm, how to replace the silent blocks of the front suspension with your own hands?
  • Idle speed sensor malfunction VAZ Signs of a malfunction of the idle speed sensor VAZ 2110, 2107, 2109. Replacing the idle speed sensor with your own hands
  • Is it necessary to warm up the engine?
  • How to clean the throttle valve yourself?
  • VAZ injector does not start well in cold weather, what should I do?
  • How to replace a VAZ clutch fork?
  • Replacing a 2110 clutch disc. How to replace a 2110 clutch disc without removing the transmission?
  • What is a code grabber, how does it work and is there protection against it?
  • How to replace VAZ tie rod ends with your own hands?
  • Generator 2115 DIY replacement and repair
  • Replacing generator bearings 2110
  • Automotive clutch: device, operating principle, classification, types, advantages and disadvantages
  • How to check generator 2110? How to remove generator 2110? DIY VAZ 2110 generator repair
  • Why the rear window of the car does not heat up, do-it-yourself rear window defroster repair
  • I flooded the candles in the cold, why the candles flood in the cold, reasons and how to fix them
  • Car key with a chip, how and where to make a chip key for a car?
  • How to stud winter tires correctly, stud winter tires with your own hands, useful tips
  • Why do cars catch fire?

Source: http://prosedan.ru/dvigatel-avtomobilya-chem-i-kak-uberech-ego-ot-zimnih-morozov

Tips for insulating a car engine in cold weather

Given the difficult climatic conditions in winter, especially in recent years, many motorists are beginning to more carefully prepare their car for the cold.

It’s no secret that even modern engines equipped with heating systems sometimes have difficulty starting, and they also need a significant period of time to warm them up to operating temperatures. The main method of preparing a car for winter is to insulate the engine.

Let's consider below how this can be done quickly and efficiently, as well as what indicators are directly affected by engine insulation.

Myths and advantages of engine insulation in cold weather

Warming the engine in winter is a necessary procedure for a car.

So, first we will answer the question, what are the advantages of insulating the engine in cold weather?

Many naively believe the advertisements of unscrupulous manufacturers who sell engine insulation kits.

In advertising videos and booklets, such kits are positioned as a panacea for prolonged engine warm-up when starting a car, as a means of saving up to 20% of fuel in winter, etc. Naturally, all this costs a lot of money.

After reading this, few people would not want to purchase such a miracle of engineering. But after purchasing, many begin to realize that they have simply been fooled.

Since often these insulation kits are pieces of heat-insulating material for insulating the hood. Sometimes, in addition to them, there is a special cover for installing in front of the “muzzle” radiator. Even less often, such kits provide for the installation of thermal insulation around the perimeter of the engine compartment.

What else do you need to ask? Everything was insulated and excellent. Yes, they insulated it, but why, so that it would be easier to start the engine in the morning, definitely not. Such kits have a positive effect when you leave the car on the street for a maximum of a few hours.

Read also:  How to adjust the throttle position sensor

They allow you to retain heat in the engine compartment a little longer. But over the course of a few hours at a frost of -20, the engine will definitely freeze, no matter how you wrap it up. In addition, do not forget about the oil pan.

After all, it is located below and is not covered by anything from frost and wind, and frozen oil makes it difficult to start the engine, even if it has not cooled down yet.

Hence, it is important to remember one common truth - all measures to insulate the engine and engine compartment only allow the engine to warm up faster and prevent it from cooling down during short-term stops of up to 1-1.5 hours (depending on the air temperature).

Compared to an uninsulated engine, fuel savings will be observed only due to a reduction in warm-up time and that’s all, thermal insulation will not help you in any way. Considering this, think about whether it is worth buying such a kit for a fabulous price.

Having understood the benefits of engine insulation, let's look at possible options for how to insulate a car engine in cold weather.

Options for insulating a car engine in cold weather

The simplest insulation option, which is often used by owners of domestic cars, is to install heat-insulating material between the front grille and the radiator. The laziest ones use ordinary folded cardboard boxes, or part of a box, for these purposes.

If the space between the radiator and the front grille does not allow inserting a single piece, then you can tear the cardboard into pieces and insert them separately. Those who prefer a competent approach install special insulation, factory-made or hand-made.

They are usually made of leatherette, inside which thermal insulating material is inserted. Such elements of insulation of the engine compartment have an advantage over installing a cardboard damper.

Since they have special valves that can be opened if necessary if the air temperature rises.

An excellent option for comprehensive engine insulation for winter operation

The second option to insulate the engine in cold weather is to install thermal insulation not only in front of the radiator, but also directly under the hood. To do this, you can use either ready-made insulation elements or do it yourself from foil-clad polypropylene, felt, mineral wool, and other similar materials.

By the way, most modern cars already have built-in thermal insulation of the hood. Installing such insulation prevents heat from escaping from the engine compartment through the metal hood cover.

In addition, without such protection, when the engine is running, snow falling on the hood melts, and when the engine is not running and begins to cool, this melted snow begins to freeze, and we get ice, which negatively affects the condition of the paintwork.

In addition to this method of thermal insulation, sealing the joints between the hood and body parts would be an excellent option. This way, you will get rid of gaps through which heat from the engine will be blown out by a headwind or draft.

If the measures described above do not seem sufficient to you, then it is necessary to improve the engine frost protection system. To do this, you will have to remove the engine protection from below. If there is none, then you need to purchase it. After the protection has been removed, it must be cleaned and degreased.

Then, from the material that will be used as thermal insulation, we cut out the appropriate patterns according to the shape of the protection. And we attach them to the engine protection with glue.

In addition, it is a good idea to make patterns in such a way that the edges of the thermal insulation are also pressed at the places where the protection is attached to the body. To do this, the patterns need to be cut 10-15 cm larger than the size of the protection. After the protection is installed in place, the oil crater pan comes next.

Of course, there is no need to remove it, but be sure to clean and degrease the surface, and then also cover it with thermal insulation.

For those who decide to take the problem seriously, many thermal insulation kits offer additional materials for covering the side surfaces of the engine compartment and the bulkhead between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment.

This procedure for insulating the engine compartment requires time. Since to attach thermal insulation you will need to clean all surfaces from dirt. And also remove all equipment attached to the wings or bulkhead between the passenger compartment and the engine compartment.

Based on the above, decide for yourself whether you need this.

Nuances of engine insulation in cold weather

Even foreign cars require proper engine insulation in winter

It is best to insulate the engine by comprehensively using all of the above techniques. Then you won’t have to ask the question of how to make sure the engine doesn’t cool down longer. But when installing thermal insulation, it is necessary to take into account a number of nuances.

Firstly, all insulation parts must be securely fastened so that they do not come off during movement under the influence of oncoming air flow.

Otherwise, this may cause serious engine damage due to such elements getting under the belts and on the drive pulleys of the fan, generator, pump, etc.

Secondly, do not forget that the weather in winter can be either negative or positive, so it is necessary to provide for the possibility of partially opening the thermal insulation to increase the flow of cold air at positive temperatures, otherwise the engine will overheat. To do this, it is necessary to make valves on the heat-insulating material installed on the radiator that can open and close without removing the entire element and are securely fixed in both the closed and open positions.

Thirdly, do not forget that the car engine runs on burning fuel and wires carrying electric current are connected to it.

Therefore, when choosing materials, make sure that they are not flammable and do not accumulate static electricity from electrical equipment.

In addition, the thermal insulation must be fastened in such a way that it does not touch the exhaust manifold and elements of the exhaust gas system.

Fourthly, fasten the thermal insulation elements in such a way that you can dismantle them in the spring without damaging the paint surface of the body.

Video on how to insulate a car engine

If you decide to pack your engine compartment completely in thermal insulation, then it would be a good idea to make a winter version out of the standard fan on the engine.

To do this, the impeller on it must be cut symmetrically. But when transferring the car to summer operation, such a fan will need to be replaced with a new one with a full-size impeller.

Well, that’s basically all the aspects of insulating a car engine in cold weather.

Source: http://AvtoMotoSpec.ru/poleznoe/kak-uteplit-dvigatel-avtomobilya-v-moroz.html

Engine insulation for the winter: types and how to properly insulate

Many car owners, when operating their car in the winter, have encountered the problem of a frozen engine that refuses to start, making it impossible to operate the car.

Such problems can be solved by using appropriate engine insulation, which are sold today in many specialized auto stores.

We’ll tell you in more detail how to choose engine insulation and how to carry out this work yourself.

Why should you insulate the engine?

Many experts recommend insulating the engine of a car that is operated in the winter. Having completed this work, the car owner receives the following:

  • Fuel consumption indicators are reduced.
  • The engine warms up faster.
  • There are no problems when driving on the highway.

It is the problems with the engine reaching operating temperature that lead to various types of problems in the operation of the engine. As a result, even serious breakdowns may occur that require expensive major repairs. That is why it is recommended to insulate the engine compartment, for which you can use specialized engine insulation.

Insulation materials

Many motorists use felt, fiberglass and other available materials. Today, multi-silicon earth materials have appeared in specialized stores that can withstand high temperatures and at the same time are completely fire resistant.

Today, such multi-silicon earth materials made of silicon oxide and aluminum are considered one of the best for insulating the engine compartment. The best samples even have a special mirror film that reflects heat from the engine, allowing the engine compartment to heat up significantly faster.

Such materials are a blanket made to the size of the hood of a particular car. Also available are universal options that are suitable for most common car models. Each of these materials has its own specific advantages and disadvantages.

For example, felt and fiberglass are affordable and available to all car owners without exception; multi-silicon materials provide maximum thermal protection for the engine compartment, and at the same time they are characterized by maximum fire resistance.

Based on our experience, we can note that it is still not recommended to use felt material for insulation.

The fact is that it does not have proper temperature resistance, which can lead to smoke and fire in the engine compartment.

That is why, if it is necessary to insulate the engine, it is still recommended to use high-quality specialized materials, which will allow you to carry out such work yourself, completely solving problems with insulation in the winter season.

How to insulate the engine compartment

Let's consider the technology of insulating a car engine compartment using multi-silicon earth insulation. We suggest choosing options that have a mirror heat-reflecting film on one side. This ensures maximum efficiency in the use of such funds.

  • The material used must be cut to the size of the hood, and then cutouts must be made in the material that correspond to the inner surface of the hood.
  • Next, you can attach such a heat insulator to the inside of the hood using an existing adhesive layer of material or using sealant.
  • It is also possible to fasten such heat-insulating material using self-tapping screws and mushroom dowels. To do this, you must first determine the point of contact between the hood and the heat insulator when closed. To do this, carefully spread the heat insulator over the entire surface of the engine compartment, and then carefully close the hood.
  • Next, you need to lift the hood, which will allow you to see the place where the metal comes into contact with the heat insulator. In such places, we carefully drill small holes in the inside of the stiffeners, cover the metal with Movil and fix the heat insulator with self-tapping screws and mushroom dowels, which are sealed on top with special adhesive tape or reinforced tape.

This installation technology will allow you to save on the purchased thermal insulation material, since you do not need to buy an expensive thermal insulator that has an appropriate adhesive base on one of the sides. Any car owner can carry out all the work independently, which will allow him to save significantly.

Conclusion

Insulating the engine compartment will solve a number of difficulties that arise when operating a car in the winter. For example, we invariably face the problem of high fuel consumption in the winter season.

This happens due to the engine taking a long time to reach operating temperature. Whereas, using appropriate heat insulators for the engine, you can completely solve the problem of increased fuel consumption in the winter.

Currently, there are numerous specialized thermal insulators for cars on the market, which differ in cost and material used. Let us note that insulating the motor yourself is not particularly difficult, which makes it easy to do such work with your own hands.

Source: https://dvigatels.ru/uhod/uteplitel-dvigatelya.html

We insulate the engine for the winter

LET'S BELIEVE THE ADVERTISING OR TAKE CARE OF THE ENGINE

We live not just anywhere, but in Russia, where the climatic conditions are quite harsh. Winter in our country is a time that evokes pride and inexplicable joy in every Russian person. This time of year was sung by many brilliant poets and depicted in the paintings of great Russian artists.

Winter in Russia, with all its frosts and winds, snow and frost, is intertwined with the soul of the people living here and finds understanding. But still, the cold season can bring problems for motorists. One of them is the engine, which requires protection. Low temperatures, which are especially frequent during this period, force motorists to carefully prepare for winter.

And the car’s engine, its “heart,” can be the first to suffer from the cold and “get sick.” Even modern engines, equipped with heating systems and other novelties, experience difficulty starting in cold weather. To warm up and revive such an engine from winter hibernation, you have to spend a lot of effort.

The first and main way to protect the engine from the effects of cold is to manually insulate it. Below you will find information on how this can be done effectively.

Read also:  Spacers to increase ground clearance

WHY DO YOU NEED TO INSULATE MANUALLY

There are several advantages that manually insulating the engine in winter provides. And today it is unlikely that there will be people who naively believe in the advertising of some manufacturers trying to make money by selling engine insulation kits. Allegedly, such kits are a panacea for prolonged warm-up at the factory in winter and even a means to save up to 20% on gasoline or other fuel.

And this whole kit, of course, costs a lot of money. If for some would-be buyers such a high price does not become a barrier, then, having bought it, they begin to understand that they have been cleverly fooled. What is an engine insulation kit? Often just pieces of some material that can insulate the hood.

In some cases, a special cover for stretching over the radiator and heat-insulating materials located around the perimeter of the engine compartment. In a word, everything that you can find yourself without spending so much money on it. In addition, such kits are designed for insulation when the temperature drops below 10 degrees.

What should residents of other regions of Russia do, where minus 10 °C is a high temperature, and frosts drop below 50 °C?

ADVANTAGES OF INSULATION

As you know, long engine warm-up, which is inevitable in cold weather, leads not only to the expenditure of time and effort, as well as premature wear of parts, but also to excessive fuel consumption. In addition, an icy layer on the hood of a car cannot have a positive effect on the paintwork of the body.

And in the summer you will have to spend money on polishing the body. So, why is it difficult to start the engine in cold weather? It is probably clear to many drivers that the oil intended to lubricate all engine parts thickens. This oil takes longer to penetrate into all remote points of the lubrication system.

And it turns out that for some time the engine elements remain without lubrication, feeling real oil starvation.

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand that this is harmful to rubbing parts! In addition, the main components of the engine that suffer first are the pistons, cylinders and other elements, which run dry in the first minutes of the so-called warm-up with the starter. Fuel evaporates worse at such moments.

Naturally, this affects the quality of the air-fuel mixture. The power of the battery is also sharply reduced, no longer able to provide the required electricity. The result is difficulties when starting the engine in winter or other cold seasons. Only proper insulation can help.

DIESEL ENGINE AND ITS INSULATION

Owners of cars with a diesel engine generally need to hit the trams in winter. As is known, already at −20 °C a diesel engine is severely overcooled, which negatively affects its parts and components. Due to hypothermia, the fuel freezes under the hood and irreparable problems with the fuel filter may arise.

So, how to insulate a diesel engine and do it correctly? First you will need to arm yourself with the following materials and tools: ordinary sharp scissors; office stapler; special tool for working with silicone; corrugated polyethylene. The first thing to do is cover the engine with something warm.

Although in severe frosts this procedure will not help. This will provide benefits, but they will be ineffective. To properly insulate a diesel engine, you will need to place the car on an inspection pit. After this, insulate the pipeline, which will prevent the fuel from cooling.

And for these purposes, corrugated polyethylene foam with a thickness of 5 mm is best suited. In order for the insulation to pass correctly, you first need to measure the circumference of the tube and cut the required strip from polyethylene with scissors. Wrap the pipeline with this strip and secure it with a stapler.

A kind of tail is formed at the tube, which we put behind the connections to the brakes and fix with sealant. The same material is ideal for eliminating various cracks in the engine compartment. They can also insulate a radiator. How? To do this, you need to remove the top part on the radiator by unscrewing four screws.

Then we remove the two latches and measure the size of the opening. We cut out a piece of insulation with scissors and fold it in half. We push a piece of corrugated insulation to the left of the lock drive and, straightening it, slide the top under the lock. That's all. There is no need to make any additional fastenings.

The remaining gaps will even be useful, as they will prevent the engine from overheating, although diesel engines are not afraid of this. If the frosts are severe, then you can also insulate the fuel filter and ramp. We use the same material, only with the foil down.

GAS ENGINE

Now about whether it is necessary to insulate a gasoline engine just as carefully? The answer suggests itself - of course, it is necessary. Low temperatures have a negative impact not only on the diesel version. As in the case described above, many begin to insulate the radiator first. This really helps in frosts below 10 degrees Celsius.

It is interesting that the laziest representatives of motorists use ordinary pieces of cardboard, folded several times, to insulate the radiator. A competent approach to the problem, of course, excludes the use of cardboard or a box. There are special hand-made or factory-made insulation materials, usually made from leatherette, which includes insulation.

This material will do an excellent job of covering the space between the radiator and the front grille. And in comparison with cardboard, such material has an undeniable advantage - the presence of special valves that open when the temperature rises significantly. This prevents the engine from overheating. Go ahead. There is another insulation option.

It involves installing insulation not only in front of the radiator, but also under the hood. What to use? Anything: felt, mineral wool, foiled polypropylene and other similar materials. You can make insulation elements from them yourself. It is worth noting that many modern cars already have a specially built-in hood insulation system.

If such factory insulation is not provided, you need to do it yourself. This installation will effectively keep heat in the engine compartment and prevent it from escaping through the metal cover. In addition, such insulation will help preserve the surface of the body paint longer.

Indeed, during heavy snowfalls, the falling precipitation will melt on the surface, and then, when the engine cools down, all this will turn into ice, negatively affecting the surface of the metal. In addition, such insulation will close all the cracks through which heat will escape from the engine compartment. You will no longer even need to be afraid of drafts or headwinds.

Now let’s talk about how you can further insulate the engine. This will be needed if the above-described insulation actions are not enough. To do this, you will need to dismantle the engine protection. It is located at the bottom of the car on many models, but on some it may not be there. In this case, you will have to stock up on it. We thoroughly clean the removed protection from dirt and degrease it.

We cut out the insulation (the types of insulation were presented above) to the size of the protection and fix it with some kind of glue. It is recommended to make a pattern in such a way that the edges of the material are enough to cover the places where the protection is attached to the engine. To do this, cut the material a couple of centimeters larger than the required size around the entire perimeter.

In addition, you need to ensure that the insulation is pressed tightly against the protection. The engine protection can also be insulated. Now we move on to the oil pan, where the engine oil and its lubricant are stored. If the reader remembers, at the beginning of the article it was said that during severe frosts the lubricant thickens and does not have time to reach a certain engine element in time.

Of course, there is no need to remove the pan. It will be enough to degrease its surface and cover it with thermal insulation. Residents of harsh climatic zones of Russia who wish to approach the problem more seriously are recommended to use additional insulation. It can be used to cover the side surfaces of the engine compartment, as well as the space between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment.

This procedure will take a little longer. But the effect of this will be colossal. It will be necessary to dismantle all existing equipment on the wings, located in the gap between the engine compartment and the cabin. Then thoroughly clean the surfaces from dirt and oil. And only then carry out thermal insulation.

UNIQUE MATERIAL Today it is possible to insulate the engine with a special blanket. “Avtoteplo”, this is the name of the unique insulation, is intended for trucks and cars.

It is completely fireproof and can withstand temperatures up to plus 1200 °C. In addition, this material is environmentally friendly and is quite inexpensive.

So, if you don’t want to waste time on producing insulation yourself, buy this one and the problems will disappear. 

THESE SMALL NUANCES CAN CAUSE BIG TROUBLES

Several methods of insulation were presented above. Which one is right for you is up to you. But it is worth noting that it is advisable to apply all of the above techniques in a comprehensive manner. In addition, we must not forget about some of the nuances that arise one way or another in any business.

In this case, we are talking about ensuring that the insulation parts are securely fastened and that a strong oncoming air flow or wind, which is common in winter, does not tear them off. If this happens, small parts of the insulation can get into the engine system, in particular under the fan belts or generator pulleys.

This, in turn, will lead to engine failure. In addition, abundant heat can play a cruel joke. Especially when the air temperature rises in winter, because this happens.

Therefore, it is necessary to provide in advance the possibility of partially opening the insulation, thereby increasing the flow of cold air. Otherwise, it threatens to overheat the engine. Well, that’s all. The most current methods of engine insulation were presented. What to do is up to you to decide.

You can choose a method of engine insulation from those listed above, or you can come up with one yourself. The main thing is to do everything correctly and not forget about the nuances!

Source: http://auto.1mgn.ru/bezopasnost/uteplyaem-dvigatel-na-zimu.html

How to insulate an engine for the winter, methods and solutions

Why insulate the engine? This question can be heard from a person who is not familiar with the principles of engine operation.

And if we take into account the fact that every modern car has standard heat and noise insulation, this formulation of the question is quite logical.

However, what to do when the outside temperature is lower than that for which the engine is designed, taking into account the standard insulation. If the car is parked in an open parking lot, the conditions for starting and operating the engine are significantly worse.

The insulation of a car engine is due to several reasons:

– prolonged warming up of the engine leads to excessive fuel consumption, as well as wear of parts;

– an ice crust on the hood causes damage to the paintwork of the body, which will lead to unscheduled polishing.

It is possible to insulate a car engine in different ways. The choice of method depends on what is convenient for you, as well as on your budget. Each option has its pros and cons.

Hood insulation. The most suitable option for insulating the hood is felt. However, finding such material can be difficult. Therefore, foil-clad polypropylene foam is usually used for insulation.

Read also:  Signs prohibiting parking: coverage area

To do this, you need to select a sheet of insulation of the required size, as well as clips. The insulation is cut to the shape of the hood and installed on top of or instead of the standard insulation. In summer, such insulation can be removed without problems.

Car engine blanket. Such a blanket is usually called a car blanket and can easily be purchased commercially, or made independently if you have special material.

The structure of such a blanket consists of fiberglass and filler, or mullite-silica wool. This material is used for insulation of oil pipelines in fire-resistant shields.

It is completely non-flammable and has low thermal conductivity, and is also unaffected by technical fluids from a chemical point of view.

Electric engine heating. This option has its own peculiarity. The electric heater requires a 220V power source. Starting such a device requires turning it on manually. The engine warm-up time takes 20-40 minutes and depends on the device used.

Automatic pre-heater. It is more expensive than an electric heater, but has many advantages. The most important advantage is autonomy and the ability to set the on/off mode several times a night. In this case, the manual transmission handle is placed in the neutral position, and the automatic transmission is in the “parking” position.

Insulate or warm up the engine - the choice is yours. However, this should be done based on the operating and storage conditions of your vehicle.

Source: http://diaginfo.ru/kak-uteplit-dvigatel-na-zimu-sposoby-i-resheniya.html

Adobe4PeopLe

Over time, more and more cars appear on the roads.

There is nothing surprising in this, since a car is becoming more of a part of everyday life, simply necessary for a normal existence, than a luxury item.

The many advantages that a personal vehicle gives to its owner are quite balanced by certain difficulties that pedestrians do not know about.

The need for regular repairs

A car is a rather complex mechanism, and therefore cannot work perfectly. At least on a permanent basis. From time to time, problems arise - for the most part they are not serious and do not significantly affect the overall state of affairs. But sometimes, especially if you do not deal with the situation in its infancy, this can lead to quite unpleasant consequences.

In general, routine technical inspections are the main scourge of car enthusiasts. They take time, which is constantly in short supply. That is why various car services are especially popular.

Is it possible to do everything yourself?

If we judge globally, then a sufficiently experienced driver can cope with the task no worse than professionals.

The point here is that he knows his “swallow” thoroughly - how it should work, all the problems that arise, and so on.

Actually, this factor is often decisive in the choice: to do everything yourself or go to a workshop, shelling out a considerable amount of hard-earned money from your pocket.

Indeed, many problems can be easily solved on their own. Especially if we are talking about something completely ordinary, like changing the oil, air filters and similar little things. But besides routine repairs and inspections, there are other situations. Much more specific.

Seasonal changes

For Russia, unlike the same Europe, preparing for winter is a difficult thing, but absolutely mandatory. That is why the question of how to insulate an engine for the winter is especially popular. In the summer there is practically no interest in such issues, but as October or even November approaches, everything changes radically.

Four-wheeled friends are heat-loving creatures. Too low a temperature without proper preparation can disrupt the fine tuning, thus leading to serious trouble. Actually, because of this, you need to know how to insulate the engine for the winter.

Such problems also arise with the interior. But just in the latter case, everything is always resolved quickly. Simply due to the fact that the driver is also inside.

And no one likes to endure dog cold, especially if there is an opportunity to get rid of it without unnecessary problems.

Is the game worth the candle?

This is a more interesting question. It is quite logical, before you become interested in how and how to insulate a car engine in winter, understand why this is necessary at all.

It is worth understanding that many simply do not do this. A working machine can, in general, regulate the temperature on its own. For this, in fact, a cooling system, various thermostats are installed, and all engine systems are made sealed.

There is some truth to this, and no one will argue with it. But how easily can your four-wheeled companion handle everything at once? Temperature is just another factor that affects the normal operation of your car.

And there are already quite enough of them, so adding another one is simply stupid.

In addition, such a pragmatic call is primarily issued to ensure that the car’s engine works more efficiently. Everything here is logical and correct, because if you help the car, it will thank you with a long and high-quality service.

Why do you need insulation at all?

How to insulate a car engine in cold weather? This is the main question. But you need to approach it from a certain angle, first understanding why such a procedure is needed at all. The importance of all these processes was noted a little higher, but now it’s worth talking about “filling”. So, there are several factors based on which we can deduce the need for insulation.

First of all, the machine is manufactured to operate under certain conditions, which also include temperature. The latter is even noted in technical documents in the form of strong recommendations.

For example, the Japanese Toyota Rav-4 SUV, like many other foreign cars, is not recommended for use at temperatures less than minus 25 degrees Celsius. Or do you need to insulate the motor additionally?

Here you just need to follow the instructions.

Secondly, it’s worth thinking about such a little thing as the radiator grille. Its purpose, like any other technical air holes, is to allow air to blow over a hot engine while driving.

But is this advisable in the cold? In general, no, because this way the metal will cool down very quickly, thus forming condensation on any surface. And sometimes inside the engine.

This can cause mixing with other technical fluids of the car, which is not very desirable, mainly due to not the most pleasant consequences.

The importance of insulation while riding

Of course, knowing how to insulate a car engine in winter, the user will be able to avoid many unpleasant moments. These are the ones we will talk about.

First, it is worth noting the fact that a properly insulated motor mechanism allows it to heat up much faster and also cool down very slowly.

Naturally, this method is not particularly significant for long stops, but driving in the city consists of constant stops and starts - and in winter, even a minute at a traffic light can become a problem.

This will not happen here simply because the temperature regime will be maintained.

Driver comfort is everything

We must not forget that all improvements to the car are made for its owner. Just to improve the comfort of use. There is nothing special about this - healthy selfishness is not punishable.

Why is this the focus? Well, the temperature inside the cabin largely depends on the engine. A stove, that is, a heater, is used for heating. It will work in any conditions, but it is quite difficult to achieve at least some heat from it.

The point is that it is also located under the hood, and therefore depends entirely on the engine temperature.

If you limit the flow of cooled air into the engine, you can achieve good results by increasing the temperature in the cabin by half a dozen, or even ten degrees.

How to insulate an engine for the winter?

There are not many options in this matter. You can act only according to one of two really working schemes.

Firstly, there is insulation on the radiator grille side. This option is really one of the most logical - you just need to choose a certain material and close it from the inside, blocking the air flow. You can get by with regular cardboard.

The second option on how to insulate a car engine for the winter is general insulation. In general, you just need to cover the engine from the hood side. From the inside, of course.

But this is just a general outline. Thus, you can decide how to insulate the engine for the winter, but there are still some unresolved issues. For example, such an important aspect as the choice of material. Well, it also doesn’t hurt to think through other technical issues.

What materials should you use?

After you have decided how everything will happen, another key moment comes - you need to think about how best to insulate the engine for the winter. This question is also not very difficult to decide.

If you choose the option with a lattice, then everything is quite simple. You can limit yourself to simple cardboard. You can tear it out or cut it to size from any box. It is inserted in front of the radiator in the engine compartment - and that's it. You won’t win much this way, of course, but overall the method is quite good, at least for one time.

If you plan to use this method many times in a row, then find a waterproof fabric. It should be quite dense, since, having sewed a cover from it, you will be attaching it to the grill itself. This is also not the most effective step, but it is enough.

In addition, you can use this “device” from year to year until it breaks or wears out.

In the case when you choose the engine compartment, everything is a little more complicated. You need to solve several issues at once. Firstly, the “cape” over the motor must exactly match its size. Otherwise, everything will be somewhat stupid - any gaps reduce efficiency to a significant extent.

The installation method is also quite significant. The point is that you need to exclude the very possibility of tissue being caught by the protruding parts of the engine. In addition, you need to take special care of the cape on the intake manifold - due to fire safety requirements.

It is better to make everything from a car blanket, which is made of fiberglass, or something with similar properties.

Warming the engine for the winter. Who insulates the engine? Conclusion

The main options used by motorists have been outlined above. These are the ones you should focus on in your own choice. There is nothing complicated in this work. So it’s quite possible to do everything yourself.

Actually, the entire article is a detailed answer to the question of how to insulate an engine for the winter with your own hands.

You have already received the answer to it, and even to a greater extent than is needed to carry out the work itself. The main thing here is not to rush, soberly assessing all the options and possibilities. Safety still matters most.

And when working with complex mechanisms, such as an engine, dangerous situations arise quite often.

Source: http://abode4people.ru/kak-uteplit-dvigatel-avtomobilya-na-zimu-svoimi-rukami/

Warming the engine for the winter Link to main publication