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Offline Roger

Oil Pan or Engine Block Heater
« on: December 08, 2021, 03:28:47 PM »
Just wonderimg if anyone has installed an engine block heater? I have a CFMoto UForce 800 and store it in my non-heated garage. It can get cold where I live, so I was wondering if any other cold climate CFMoto owners found the need to install such a device and if so, what they purchased and installed. I will have to move snow at times using my Kimpex Click n Go 2 snow blade, but if I have troubling starting in cold weather, I'm not going to move any snow (or anywhere for that matter). Also, I figured such a device would help in the long run (no cold starts).

I recently started it with ease in about -18°C weather and let it warm up for 15 minutes, so maybe I will not need a block heater, but I thought I would ask. Thanks in advance!

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Offline NMKawierider

Re: Oil Pan or Engine Block Heater
« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2021, 03:41:06 PM »
Just to toss-in: It's always OK to use a 0W40 motor oil in the winter and something lighter in the diffs like a 75w80 or even a straight 10W50 for the coldest months. Plowing for long periods..like 3+ hours.. will heat-up the diffs so keep that in mind.
2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS
Custom Air Intakes | Custom Exhaust Mod | SuperATV Harness | Custom Fenders | Custom Skid/Rock Sliders | 27" GBC Grim Reapers | Seizmik Mirrors |Конструктор Doors | Dr Pulley Sliders | 1.5" Wheel Spacers | BENZ Silencer (as needed) | SATV Flip Windshield W\ Rear Shield | Dual Light Bars | Diamond Plate Storage |7- 9.7" GPS Systems | Bandit Springs Rear & Gen-3 Shocks Front | Cage Chop Mod

My Videos On YouTube

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Offline Siberian

Re: Oil Pan or Engine Block Heater
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2022, 01:41:41 PM »
FWIW-
I have 2021 CForce 600 Tour.  I also have a long 300' x 15' driveway on a pretty good hill.  The upper flat area is about 35' x 60'.

It is a little complex, because wind nearly always blows west>>east, large sagebrush along the sides, and a black lava ravine.  It takes me about 1.0-1.25 hours to plow the whole driveway with ~10" (~26cm) snow on it.  I actually think it would go faster if I had a Non-Tour model, because turning radius would be smaller.  I use HI range going down the hill and LO range coming back up the hill.  I also usually have to clear ~10'-12' X 150' to the mailbox.  I just push this one time to curb-side, the rest of the times to center of street.  No big deal, 2 houses here on dead end street, ends at black lava ravine (me), and  next door clears the way to main connecting street.

At any rate, an ATV or UForce can move a lot of snow pretty fast.  If you have 3.0 hours of plowing, that is a heck of a lot of length or snow or both. 

My garage is just under the house, no particular heating in it.  Things don't freeze in it, stays about ~50F-55F (~10C-13C).  I don't have any trouble starting the 600, motorcycle, or the diesel truck.

Outside may  be close to 5F (-15C), but inside stays above freezing.  Do the plowing, put it away, reconnect battery tender and everything works fine the next time. 

Be aware that plowing snow is considered "Severe Use" and manual says change oil/filter at 20 hours, so that really means 10 hours for snow duty.  Others have said the first hour of use yields the most junk in oil/filter, so you could do it sooner.  Just be sure to keep track of hours on snow duty.  Use JASO MA2 oil, not specified in owner's manual, but others provided that clue.  If something goes wrong, I'd just say I was playing in the snow. blah blah blah.

Other comments here: 
https://cfmoto-forum.com/introduce-yourself-and-your-ride/new-owner-cfmoto-cforce-400/?topicseen

https://cfmoto-forum.com/x6/cforce-600-tour-snowplow-fab-install/

YMMV

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Offline Hunttux

Re: Oil Pan or Engine Block Heater
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2022, 10:26:07 AM »
OP- did you end up getting a heater? I have a small magnetic one, but haven't been able to access anywhere easily to slap it on. Anything colder than -12 (currently -20) and starting is a no go for me. Pretty frustrating. I do have /40 oil in it.

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Offline Siberian

Re: Oil Pan or Engine Block Heater
« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2022, 12:04:36 PM »
OP- did you end up getting a heater? I have a small magnetic one, but haven't been able to access anywhere easily to slap it on. Anything colder than -12 (currently -20) and starting is a no go for me. Pretty frustrating. I do have /40 oil in it.

Four Possible Solutions:
 
1.  I saw on a elsewhere to keep warm was to use a water tank heater blanket- They are low power, 12V, and supposedly have thermostats.  I do not know what size they are.  They were designed to heat RV tanks, so possibly tough material?   

2.  Another one is a 12v heating mat and a temperature controller (for use when charging) that supplies 12v to the heat mat if you want it to control a temperature.

3.  There is a dipstick oil heater made for trucks and cars that is 120v AC.  It is long, so I don't know what would happen if it were made shorter.  See if it works if you can shorten it.  They were pretty cheap IIRC.  I even have an "Old" brand-new one in my parts bin. 

4.  Electric heat wire/tape 120v. These wrap all over something to keep it warm and not freeze.  Again, do not know if will work if made shorter or how/where to wrap it.

Good luck....
YMMV
« Last Edit: January 30, 2022, 12:06:42 PM by Siberian »

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Offline NMKawierider

Re: Oil Pan or Engine Block Heater
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2022, 12:36:13 PM »
In the old days we would just place a drop light with a 40 watt bulb under the oil pan or engine case. You would be surprised how well that worked.
2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS
Custom Air Intakes | Custom Exhaust Mod | SuperATV Harness | Custom Fenders | Custom Skid/Rock Sliders | 27" GBC Grim Reapers | Seizmik Mirrors |Конструктор Doors | Dr Pulley Sliders | 1.5" Wheel Spacers | BENZ Silencer (as needed) | SATV Flip Windshield W\ Rear Shield | Dual Light Bars | Diamond Plate Storage |7- 9.7" GPS Systems | Bandit Springs Rear & Gen-3 Shocks Front | Cage Chop Mod

My Videos On YouTube

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Offline Siberian

Re: Oil Pan or Engine Block Heater
« Reply #6 on: January 31, 2022, 10:58:32 AM »
I finally found what I was looking for:

Hubert Kriegel preparation for Timeless Ride on Ural sidecar motorcycle used one of these (or similar) on the bottom of the engine.

Of note, he was on this ride for 10 years, a billion miles give or take, and did it solo.  He was also across Siberia in WINTER so this heater thing got a workout.  The Ural was a Kick-Start model and he could start it outside in Siberia in winter.

He had a blog of his world journey.  There was a section on "Preparation" where he ground OFF the aluminum ribs on the bottom of engine to place (glue IIRC) one of these to the bottom to heat engine.  It was also where he put Swiss giant round bus rear lights on Ural, and had an expert metal fellow fabricate a 48l,-50l. (about 13 gallons) fuel tank, and other modifications.  I do not remember where in the blog the fab part is, but I remember it.

Hubert Kriegel was the Real-Deal and a fantastic man.  He was my inspiration to ride solo around the world, including all of Russia from Amsterdam to Vladivostok to Magadan.  Hubert was my inspiration to do the ride and ride across frozen Lake Baikal!  BTW, I did my journey at 70 years old.   Hubert Kriegel died in 2018.

#1: https://www.amazon.com/Flameer-Adhesive-Holding-Automatic-Thermostat/dp/B07LCPM3CK/ref=asc_df_B07LCPM3CK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475826414618&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12604768882546093806&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029412&hvtargid=pla-1088561316898&psc=1

#2: https://www.omega.com/en-us/industrial-heaters/surface-heaters/flexible-heaters/srfra-srfga/p/SRFGA-212-2-P?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuMP097Xc9QIVuhatBh06LgV4EAQYAyABEgI4zPD_BwE

Hubert's Blog:  http://www.thetimelessride.com/US/My-Rides/Timelessride-map.htm

Screen shots of something like he used:


YMMV

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Offline Siberian

Re: Oil Pan or Engine Block Heater
« Reply #7 on: January 31, 2022, 11:22:47 AM »
AH HA! I found some photos!

Perhaps of Interest?

YMMV