themonk

For whatever reason, GM in their infinite wisdom decided that the LT1 didn't need a block heater, I guess they figure that everybody who has a Corvette either lives in a place where it doesn't get bitterly cold or have a palatial estate with a climate controlled Garagemahal. Well sadly that's not the case.

I went to Toronto for 6 days, dropped my car off at the Park and Jet at the airport and upon returning to -25 degree Celsius weather it started up, barely but it managed. Well the next day after leaving it outside, no dice, I had to boost it. I replaced the battery last year with an Interstate but the cold temps were too much. Since I don't have a garage I have no choice but to leave my car outside which pisses me off because unlike my C5 there is no block heater in the C7, for what reason I have no idea. I would usually take my Yukon on days like yesterday but it's in the shop. Thinking that I would have to boost it again I said to myself not a chance so I took an in car heater that I had lying around, propped open the battery cover, aimed the heater at the battery and plugged it in. The hatch closes with the cord outside (it's a thin cord with no ground connector (2 pronged)). Left it overnight where temps dipped below -30, got up this morning, went outside to start my car and it started right up.

So there you have it, buy yourself a car heater, keep the hatch area nice and warm overnight and you shouldn't have any problems starting your C7 up if it gets bitterly cold overnight. And a positive spin off is that the car is warm inside too.

c54u

Battery blanket is an option.

Snowwolfe

Yep, or carry one of those portable "jump starters". They work great for about $50-65 .

Danengraham

^Yeah, sounds like the battery is the main issue.

Is it not cranking? or super slow?

Or is it cranking over fine, and just not firing??

themonk

That certainly is an option too.

I have a jump starter, it wasn't enough to boost it so luckily I also had a spare battery fully charged for my old Explorer kicking around.

Black 03 Z06

You came to Toronto and never dropped in to see us??

Never looked to see if I actually have a block heater in my C5, don't recall seeing a chord but maybe.

MikeERWNC

I learned yesterday that the AFM doesn't work/ isn't supposed to work in cold temp, either.
The A/T - CorVette tech at my dealer had his laptop hooked to my car as we went for a ride.

themonk

Ha, I didn't know.......I was mainly in Brampton at my sisters and a couple times in Caledon. Just a lot of family time, I had no time for myself.

Next year.

Bill Dearborn

At -13F you shouldn't need a block heater. A new battery shouldn't have an issue in that weather either. You may have a high resistance in the starting circuit that is limiting current to the starter. Unless you live in an area where temps fall into the -30s F or lower you really don't need a block heater to heat the oil. Most starting issues in the winter are due to: 1: battery; 2: higher than normal electrical resistance in starting circuit. I have seen that just cleaning the battery cables is enough to get a cold car started.

Bill

themonk

last year with my replaced battery it was fine, same with the first 2 years with the no for reasons unknown, handle, AC Delco.

Gearhead Jim

Block heaters are a good idea, except for me.

When we build our house many years ago, I had one outlet at the front of each bay of the attached but unheated garage, connected to a switch by the door into the house. In moderate weather, I could plug in the cars but not turn on the power. If it was going to get below freezing in the garage, I could turn on the heaters.

We had a 1987 Z28 Camaro (GM V8), a early Ford Taurus (Ford V6), and Toyota straight 4.
Within two years of starting to use the block heaters, every one of those cars had a head gasket failure.

I switched to Mobil1 5W-30, stopped using block heaters, and never looked back.

Most people have better luck...

movinlow

That sounds really cold!!! Don’t know how you survive up north

JerryU

Don't think there is room in the C7 battery cavity to fit anything around the outside.

felkebg

I am sure you are not running the stock Michelins in those temps.

vettesmith02

I remember living in North Dakota...

Once...

OK... maybe twice.

cowboy casey

they have pad heaters also in 120 and 240 volts

Wolverine-Heaters]

DGA3

+1

Must not be a Z06 or GS!

DALE#3

Huge Effort and Determination to even get started.Sorry this design is just a Part timer depending on Climate.Alot of money to just sit.I understand that.But,Like Boxing..Just throw in the Towel

TEXHAWK0

Exactly, I would be more worried about the tires than if the car would start. Of course if the car does not start, you cannot go anywhere anyway..

If you are in that cold of temperatures all the time, go to 0W30 or 0W40.
GM now puts 0W40 in from the factory.

AORoads

I remember minnesota, and colorado...