Onan oil heater

[DavidBarkey]

On some Onan oil pans I have noticed along with the oil drain location is another 1/2" NPT. pipe plug at the base of the dip stick tube which can be used to drain the oil leaving the original drain open for one of these .
<img src="https://www.agkits.com/images/products/detail/5B357.JPG" alt="Engine Block Heater Frost Plug 1/2&amp;quot; NPT Size"/>

Looking into it for the new 446 build .

Dave

[propane1]

That’s neat.

Noel

[Toolslinger]

Are those built for submersion in oil, or coolant?
I sure wouldn't mind warmer oil to start off with in this weather. I suppose I could just change to winter oil, but my tractors don't see enough hours in a year to justify 1 change, let alone 2...

[DavidBarkey]

Are those built for submersion in oil, or coolant?
I sure wouldn't mind warmer oil to start off with in this weather. I suppose I could just change to winter oil, but my tractors don't see enough hours in a year to justify 1 change, let alone 2...

Not a 100% sure yet have to find out , but this one is for sure .

Kat's Heaters Oil and Coolant Immersion Heater - 120V - 300 Watt - 1/2" NPT

Dave

[Timj]

Are those built for submersion in oil, or coolant?
I sure wouldn't mind warmer oil to start off with in this weather. I suppose I could just change to winter oil, but my tractors don't see enough hours in a year to justify 1 change, let alone 2...

Not a 100% sure yet have to find out , but this one is for sure .
image.pngKat's Heaters Oil and Coolant Immersion Heater - 120V - 300 Watt - 1/2" NPT

Dave

Well Dave you really had me going here. I thought oh man, this is perfect. I would really like to not have to cold start Ingy, not that it can't be done, but you know.
So I checked tonight and I don't have an extra drain on my P218 and the oil drain is only 3/8".
Tim

[DavidBarkey]

Are those built for submersion in oil, or coolant?
I sure wouldn't mind warmer oil to start off with in this weather. I suppose I could just change to winter oil, but my tractors don't see enough hours in a year to justify 1 change, let alone 2...

Not a 100% sure yet have to find out , but this one is for sure .
image.pngKat's Heaters Oil and Coolant Immersion Heater - 120V - 300 Watt - 1/2" NPT

Dave

Well Dave you really had me going here. I thought oh man, this is perfect. I would really like to not have to cold start Ingy, not that it can't be done, but you know.
So I checked tonight and I don't have an extra drain on my P218 and the oil drain is only 3/8".
Tim

Well That sucks . This is a pic. from the net of a pan that looks just like the one I have .
<img src="https://yakimagenerator.com/wp-content/ ... 2-0850.jpg" alt="Genuine Onan B43M Oil Pan"/>

Notice the drain hole in the top left thats 1/2" npt. . Now notice at the base of the dip stick tube , that cross hole goes through and has a 1/2"npt plug in it now but can be the new drain while the old drain is used for the heater. My P220 in Frankie doe not have it either but I need to pull the engine and reseal this summer , at that time I plan to change the pan to one of these .

Dave

[Timj]

I did a little looking last night and I did find that Katz has one with 3/8" thread but that one doesn't mention it's for oil. I also found a review from someone who used the 1/2" with fittings, bushing it down to 3/8" on a Briggs.

So now I'm back on board, what would be wrong with just taking it in and out when changing oil?

Add a stick-on heater on the oil tank and now we're cooking.
Tim

[DavidBarkey]

I did a little looking last night and I did find that Katz has one with 3/8" thread but that one doesn't mention it's for oil. I also found a review from someone who used the 1/2" with fittings, bushing it down to 3/8" on a Briggs.

So now I'm back on board, what would be wrong with just taking it in and out when changing oil?

Add a stick-on heater on the oil tank and now we're cooking.
Tim

See if you can find another pan like the one you have on it cheap and see if you can open it up to 1/2 " Npt . and like you say the heater is then the plug . Heck then really only need it in place for the winter . And with the stick on heater .

Dave

[Timj]

I did a little looking last night and I did find that Katz has one with 3/8" thread but that one doesn't mention it's for oil. I also found a review from someone who used the 1/2" with fittings, bushing it down to 3/8" on a Briggs.

So now I'm back on board, what would be wrong with just taking it in and out when changing oil?

Add a stick-on heater on the oil tank and now we're cooking.
Tim

See if you can find another pan like the one you have on it cheap and see if you can open it up to 1/2 " Npt . and like you say the heater is then the plug . Heck then really only need it in place for the winter . And with the stick on heater .

Dave

I could drill out and re-tapp the hole, but if the heat probe fits, I can just put a 3/8" nipple and a 3/8" x 1/2" reducing coupling in and done.

[DavidBarkey]

@Timj

right side / dip stick side of pan I have .
Depending how thing work out I may put the heater in the base of the dip stick and leave the drain as is if it works out .

Dave