BULLSHIT.

Granted, I'm sure we'll all agree that -35*C is ******* cold, and not surprising that cars will not start. I know better than to trust dealer sales people as they rarely know what they are talking about, but I was told "I guarantee you will NOT need a block heater." I didn't trust the dealer and looked for a block heater only to find that supposedly nobody has found a place to put an OEM one on the LNF. I have a remote starter and last year I'd set the car to start every 3 to 4 hours for 15 minutes below -20*C and never had a problem. I went to start the car this morning, it was -35*C and the car had been sitting from 8PM to 11:30AM. When I used the remote, it said the car started. When I went out to check the car it hadn't started at all, I figured at the fault of the remote. When I went to start the car it was sluggish, and TRIED to catch but never fully started up, just sputtered slightly and died immediately. It WOULD NOT start. I figured for best measure I'd use a small space heater under the engine and a boost to attempt it an hour later. After the hour and much cranking, it finally turned over, sputtered horribly and died. I tried again, gassed it and it sputtered and died again. The next time I held the throttle to ensure it wouldn't idle too low and die out again and it finally sustained idle, but sounded like it was misfiring horribly (sounded just like a WRX). I let it idle for 15 minutes hoping it would clear up, but it still sounded like crap. I knew the the problem was due to the cold, so I took it for a drive and finally after the engine temp hit 78*C (which took a LOT longer than usual, regardless of the outside temperature) the car finally drove and idled normal and misfiring or over fueling was gone.

So the short of it is, this engine is clearly NOT designed to be left for any extended period of time without being started or having SOME form of heater installed to keep the block warm. I'm now using the remote starter again under extremely cold temperatures. I've considered a circulating coolant heater, but I don't want to be installing a bunch of extra crap on my car that I shouldn't need. It's not a matter of money, but I just shouldn't need to be spending extra on things that should have been a dealer option after the fact.

Anyway, to all who drive this car in winter, heed this warning. I'm sure some have been lucky and not had this problem. For me, not so much.

/rant.

 

jesus -35C is ******* cold

 

holy ******* cold man, hit 25 today and i put my ******* winter hat on at work

 

Yes, but for what it's worth, I've owned 5 cars:

91 Chrysler Daytona (2.5L non turbo)
93 Ford Probe GT (2.5L V6)
88 Chrysler Daytona Pacifica (2.2L Turbo)
94 Cavalier (3.1L V6)
01 Grand Prix GTP (3.8L S/C)

All of these cars except the Probe have seen multiple starts below -30*C without being plugged in and sitting a while and they all started. This one just didn't want to go. I just don't think it's right to sell a car in a climate like this without any sort of block heater. Call it a "summer sports car" if you like, but I bought it as a year round car because it's FWD, a compact and has a LSD, so I see no reason it can't handle winter.

 

wtf would you even be leaving the house at -35 holy ****

 

You would be surprised at how many people were out today. Damn Christmas.

 

I have a garage, hope this helps

 

No wonder why Dany Heatley refused to go to Edmonton

Anyways, you should be able to add one. I fail to see how GM didn't cast core plugs into the block. Failing that, there are ones that tap into your coolant lines to circulate and heat the coolant itself.

 

I started my car today no problems what so ever and it's -32*C that being said it was in a garage (not heated but still helps). But I'm thinking more and more about getting some sort of a block heater as it is just stupid cold the last week or so,maybe one of those oil pan heaters from Canadian Tire

Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

 

Being in a garage definitely helps. I know the temperature in a garage is never as low as it is outside. I think my hard starting and poor running was due to overfuelling...trims were all messed because it was so cold. The car smelled like raw gas until it started running normal, so maybe it's hard starting was due to flooding? Not sure...

For now I'm just using the remote starter to start it every 4 hours. I think if I choose to install anything, it'll be a circulating coolant heater. I'm still undecided whether or not I'll bother though. I only plan on daily driving this car while it has warranty. After that it'll be my bag around town and track car with something else for a more comfortable daily driver...maybe an Infiniti or something.

 

I put a block heater in my 09 ss I ordered one for a 2.0 that was suppose to fit 06 up ss but due to where the turbo is it wouldn't fit.I had to do some griding on the alum block part of the heater that bolts to the side of the engine block to get it to fit.I also had to unhook one of the turbo oil lines to get it in place.I posted some pics up on a thread in this forum a few weeks ago.The car has started fine and I only plugged it in sat night since the weather forcasr was calling for -45 with the windchill.

 

Link to thread?

And yikes, if grinding the block is involved, I think I'd much prefer tapping the coolant line and run a circlulating coolant heater...not a big fan of modding like that...

 

why not try the one tom at CED said anybody could try for free, and if it didnt work then send it back, and if it did the pay for it

 

Highbeamz
Location: Edmonton

Wasn't it like -50 there recently? You'll freeze to death like in that movie the day after tomorrow

 

It was -46.1*C at the airport, I don't think it got that low in the city. I'd suspect between -35 and -40. Either way...I can't entirely blame the car for not starting. I wouldn't start if I was a car, forget that.

 

My car started just fine in -35C last winter, however -46 is crazy. Coolant temp never got over about 55C/130F sitting still @ -35. My clutch was freezing on the highway. I can't wait to live that again

 

My friends 09 SS started yesterday and it was -46C here (-55 windchill)

 

not to thread hijack but how did your remote starter install go/ what brand did you use, hows it work with the manual.... I want one you can pm me instead of talking...

 

ALL cars need a blockheater .. just for the gaz that you save already having the engine at a certain temperature, you'll gain in the long run.

 

Grinding of the alum block which is part of the heater not the egine block.
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/show...t=block+heater

 

was -4x in canada where ever angel lives. he shipped my kit today and was telling me about the temp and ****. eff that I CANT Stand the cold. im from Puerto Rico leave me in the warm please lol

 

Where's is this global warming???
FYI, -35c is approximately -15F (US).. It' still plenty cold. I am glad to be in Southern Ontario. Stay warm out there....

 

colder than that its like -30F

 

I'm leaning towards the coolant type of heater that sits in the lower radiator hose- I'm thinking that it would be more efficient than the metal plate that connects to the engine block. Haven't pulled the pin yet, though, I forget what I'm waiting for- it'll come to me...

Oh, now I remember, I'm waiting until it gets to -5 degrees, so I can have a thoroughly rotten time installing it, complete with frozen fingers with split skin and coolant all over the ground.

 

You're an idiot.