I have a 1996 Nissan Maxima that is parked outside year round. It doesn't like to start when it's colder than 20 degrees Farenheit. I am told that the best way to fix this problem is by plugging it in overnight to heat the engine block.

Do I need to buy anything extra, like a block heater to set this up? If so, how hard is it to install one of these? How expensive is the part itself?

 

You need to buy an engine block heater. I don't know prices, try an auto parts store or searching the web. To install it, you have to knock out a core plug in the lower part of the engine block. This means you have to drain the engine coolant first. The exhaust will be in the way. It will be a major pain in the posterior.

More realistically, what is wrong with your car? It should start in below zero temps, otherwise our Canadian brothers would be pedestrians all winter long. Fix the problem rather than cover it up.

 

It all depends on what is causing the issue.

Oil gets thicker as temps get low. This makes it harder to crank. An engine block heater keeps the oil warm and thus easier to start. But it may not be your issue.

But if your battery is going bad then you need a battery.

Also starters dont like the cold if they are not maintained or are old and worn.

It can also be fuel related.

So what is your car doing right now when its cold?

 

You've been told wrong.

Fix your car, don't put a band-aid on it.

 

engine coolant tempature sensor last winter i played hell tryin to get my car started when it was cold replace the sensor and it starts right up now that sensor costs 15 bucks and it is easy to remove

the ects tell the ecu what tempature it thinks the coolant is a bad one will send the wrong singnal and the ecu thinks the car is warmer than what it is hence the hard starts

 

No. The best way to fix it is to find out whats the problem and fix it.

 

While I agree with the consensus that you should fix the underlying problem, I'll throw out an option for a temporary solution... a dipstick heater. While I'm not positive that one is made to fit a Max, I'm pretty sure it's universal enough. I knew a lot of people that used these when I lived in New England. They sure help when it's -20F. I don't care how properly maintained your car is, a 15 year old vehicle with 200,000 miles relishes the idea of a warmer start. I'm not sure where you live, but I'm sure most parts stores in the north carry these and can let you know if they have one for your application. Much less labor than a freeze-plug heater.

 

-24C (-11F) this morning.

Brumm....and drive off.

 

The engine heater's being referred to are usually used on big block diesels in extreme freezing conditions. Sure you could rigg one up to a Max but you shouldn't need to on a regular gasoline powered motor.

 

It was -15f this morning and my 98 MAX SE started immediately. It wouldn't do those cold starts so quick before I joined this club. I followed these tips posted in the HowTo's sticky and may of other threads:

>Give the air intake a cleaning. http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...g-dummies.html

>Replace and install new ground wires. I replaced the battery ground with one I got at Autozone. I installed a hand made low guage straight from battery to the starter mounting bolt. I installed several other low guage wires in addition to those. Clean all those grounding points with sandpaper and a cleaner.

>Regrease the starter. I had to replace the solenoid switch so while doing so I replaced all that dry grease within the gears and motor. http://web.archive.org/web/200806210...ca/mvp.php/516

>Seafoam your car. Read post #8 on this thread http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...6-seafoam.html
A few months after throwing seafoam in your tank add in some chevron techron. I do it every other oil change to keep those injectors clean.

If any of you members have more tips then add them in.

 

I don't think there's a vehicle in Montana that doesn't have a block heater (except my car...yet). They aren't just for big diesels. No they may not be entirely necessary, but almost everyone uses them. Startup is slightly easier (especially when its -40F), lubrication is much better on cold starts, and the car warms up much faster. Do you need one? No. Are they nice to have? Absolutely. Some options include: oil dipstick heater (as mentioned above), block heater, lower radiator hose heater, and magnetic oil pan heater. There are probably some others, but those are probably the most common and widely available. Hope this helps.