Block heater?

[rjbaustian]

I have a JD 5055e and need to install the block heater. The dealer said to pop the frost plug out but I dont know what the frost plug looks like. Anyone have any pictures of this?

 

[Jerry/MT]

Do the inline heaters that fit on the bottom radiator hose work as well as the block heater? It seems like it would be a lot easier to install an inline one. But only if it works anywhere as well as the block heater.

The short answer is no. The core plug blockheaters directly heat the coolant around the cylinders while the rad hose heaters heat the coolant in the lower rad hose. Convection currents will move heat into the radiator where its disipated to the air and some heat will move thru the pump into the block. If you don't have a choice, the rad hose heaters will help but a block heater is better.

The core plug heaters are very easy to install if the core plug is accessible. I put one in my Ford 4610 last year and the longest part of the process was draining the coolant. Knocking out the core plug and placing the blockheater in took 15 minuts and that was after dropping the old core plug into the block and fishing it out.

 

[George2615]

George,
Does you heater circulate the water through the system? I have got to believe that circulating warm/hot water through the system is better/quicker than heating the block from one small area.

Norm

Yes, Since it is mounted in the lower hose and heat rises it circulates as it heats pushing it through the T stat into the radiator.

 

[Jstpssng]

I have a JD 4110. Put in the block heater myself. Simple job. 15 minutes at 20 below and the engine spins like a top.

At 20 below, I don't even start that fast!

 

[Builder]

Block heater is $110 for my Challenger. I wonder if the $35 rad hose heater is enough since I don't exactly live in the artic.

 

[herringchoker]

I had a Ford 4500 backhoe/loader that I used for snow plowing for 17 winters. It sat outside and had a lower radiator hose heater. It never let me down.

 

[Builder]

I had a Ford 4500 backhoe/loader that I used for snow plowing for 17 winters. It sat outside and had a lower radiator hose heater. It never let me down.

Not sure if your Ford 4500 was diesel, but it's funny how some diesels are more cold bloded than others. My DT466 will start in very cold temps without glow plugs, block heater or either. My Case backhoe's diesel hated anything below 40*.

I may just go with the lower rad hose and save the 70-80 bucks.

 

[Deadman]

My JD 2520 started last year when it was 15 F. It started super easy, maybe turned over for 3 seconds. Fired right up at Idle. I let it idle for 10 minutes before I start working it hard.

 

[Builder]

My JD 2520 started last year when it was 15 F. It started super easy, maybe turned over for 3 seconds. Fired right up at Idle. I let it idle for 10 minutes before I start working it hard.

Any starting aid?

 

[herringchoker]

Builder - my 4500 was diesel, and it was not cold-blooded. If it wasn't plugged in during winter, it took a scary number of shots of ether to start it.