Engine Pre-heaters

[johnwoodward]

Hi Everyone,
Although I have had a Freda for almost two years now, I am a bit green at this Computer stuff, so please be gentle with me if this works!
Freda suffers from the well known, but seemingly difficult to cure, problem of 3rd & top gear selection after a cold start. I have done all the things recommended on this site to no avail.
I am. however, convinced the problem is linked to engine temperature. As soon as normal temperature is reached everything works perfectly. In the meantime a lot of juice has gone out the back!
In an attempt to overcome-but not cure-this problem, I am considering fitting an engine pre-heater from Defa (Norway). Has any member any experience of this device and if so, with what result? Any other suggestions would be welcome.
Regards,
Peckers

[westonwarrior]

the top gear not engaging for the first few minutes happens to just about every bongo and is due to the atf being cold so it would be that that needs warming rather than the engine.

As far as I know

[scanner]

In the immortal words of Main Dealers the world over - "they all do that".

I have a feeling it's the gearbox temperature that matters, not so much the engine. So warming the engine up may not help "dandywarhol" may be able to confirm or deny that.

I can't help feeling that is an very expensive way of getting around what is basically a fairly minor, pretty much seasonal, annoyance. I live less than a mile from a dual carriageway and even when mine has been at it's coldest it has taken less than a mile on the dual carriageway before it has locked up. So that is much less than 2 miles, even under the coldest "not been used for a week" conditions

[Bob]

Hi JW, and welcome, Westonwarrior is right, although if you want to fit a pre-heater it will have benefits such as less engine wear and instant de-frosting/heater.

[johnwoodward]

Thanks Everyone,
That was quick! Perhaps I am too sensitve, but it bothers me to have to run at 3000rpm from cold to keep up with the traffic for the best part of 4-5 miles.
I just can't believe this is the design condition.
Peckers.

[scanner]

Thanks Everyone,
That was quick! Perhaps I am too sensitve, but it bothers me to have to run at 3000rpm from cold to keep up with the traffic for the best part of 4-5 miles.
I just can't believe this is the design condition.
Peckers.

Hmmmmm have you checked fluid condition/level etc.?

That is much further than mine and I maybe think warming the engine up first won't help much.

It could also be a throttle position sensor problem as well - as that can affect changing up.

[mikexgough]

mine is the same as Scanner's 1/2 to 1 mile and we are away

[dandywarhol]

4/5 miles seems excessive. The system is linked to engine coolant temperature, so if the AT fluid is ok and the filter in the box is clean I would check out the resistance of the coolant sensor in the middle of the cylinder head (drivers side, with 2 wires)

Coolant temp. 20 degC - resistance 2.3 - 2.6 ohms -
at 80 deg its 0.29 - 0.34 ohms

[Rhod]

Mine goes into 4th after about a mile normally, but has taken up to 2.5 miles in the coldest weather this winter - though only first thing in the morning. Lock-up usually takes 2-3 miles.

[francophile1947]

Mine goes into 4th after about a mile normally, but has taken up to 2.5 miles in the coldest weather this winter - though only first thing in the morning. Lock-up usually takes 2-3 miles.

That seems a long time as well Mine is usually in lock-up within 1 to 1.5 miles - 4th in about half a mile.

[Rhod]

Hmmm. Maybe I'll check the sensor resistance then. My "start-up" route is on a quiet road (at 7am anyway) and is through a series of bends initially, so I can treat the engine easily & keep the revs below around 2250rpm during warm-up. Probably makes the process slower than if I was on dual carriageway. I did notice that, on the mornings when I let the engine idle for 5 minutes to clear the iced up windscreen, the gears changed up significantly faster so this would be a fcator as well - usually it's just fire up & go!

[johnwoodward]

Thanks everyone for your interest and speedy replies. I feel better that I am not alone with this one. I could warm up before setting off, but living on a through road with an engine running and Freda unoccupied is not for me. Nevertheless I am still quite keen on the idea of a pre-heater but whether it is cost effective or not I am not sure.
I think I will try dandywarhols suggestion first. Will let you all know the outcome.
Many thanks,
Peckers