I am having a hard time getting the Subie started when it is cold outside. Please tell me how you keep the engine warm. I have a magnetic heater on the oil pan but, it doesn't seem to help, still very hard to start when it is cold outside. 

Are you sure it's not a bad battery!?!?! Check and replace with a yellow top optima battery if you can....

what are the symptoms of your car? also what kind of car?

+1 on symptoms and car details.

 

You can get a screw-in block heater that takes the place of the right-side cylinder block's coolant drain plug.  Should be

relative cheap... $30-40.

My car is a 1987 GL Wagon. I have not had trouble before this year. I have a heater on the oil pan but, it doesn't seem to be helping. It could also be that the engine really needs an overhaul. I plan to do that in the spring, just need the car running now because of the weather. More snow in Oklahoma this year than in a number of years. The Nissan pickup does no good in the snow and ice.

Carb or fuel injected?

The oil pan is too far away from the block for an oil heater to do much good. You also do not want to 'cook' the oil with a 'hot spot'.

 

Is the GL parked outside or inside?

 

What oil viscosity are you using?

 

Is it possible to use 2 trouble lights, 60 Watt bulbs & metal reflectors,  inside the engine compartment while at home?  What do you do when you park it at work?

 

Please do not use starting fluid.

Edited February 5, 201412 yr by silverback

It is carbed and parked outside. I have not used starting fluid. I use 10-w30 oil. The heater i use is only 200 watt. It stays parked outside while at work as well.

Edited February 6, 201412 yr by cd45

Fix the choke or clean out the carb. It should have no trouble starting until the temp is below zero, so something is broken and heating it is an expensive bandaid. Pump the gas pedal a few times before starting and see if that helps.