Block Heater Question???

[Tractor Pilot]

Tractor Pilot,

Thanks for the information, I did figure the 1/2" Breaker Bar end into the plug however this one is going to give me a run for the money so-to-speak, my 790 is an '04 and it's frozen. With regards to installing the Heater Plug, I noticed it would take a 36MM socket that wouldn't fit into that tight space, did you use an adjustable plyer to hand tighten it as much as possible after applying the thread sealent? Good info on the coolant.

I put a 3' pipe (i.e. my improvised breaker bar) on the end of my Craftsman ratchet to break loose my threaded plug. My JD 770 is a 1997 and the plug broke free with minimal effort using the breaker bar. I don't think I could have broken the plug free without the 3' pipe. So try a pipe on the end of your rachet or breaker bar. Go 3-5' and maybe it will break free with the additional leverage.

I did use an adjustable wrench to tighten down the block heater because I don't own any metric wrenches. I own metric sockets, but I couldn't make a socket fit because of the hydraulic line. I think I will ask for metric wrenches for Christmas!

Bruce

 

[sriddle1ny]

I put a 3' pipe (i.e. my improvised breaker bar) on the end of my Craftman ratchet to break loose my threaded plug. I don't think I could have broken the plug free without the 3' pipe. So try a pipe on the end of your rachet or breaker bar. Go 3-5' and maybe it will break free with the additional leverage.

Tractor Pilot, PPPPHHHEEEWWWWW:confused2: Just went through the suggested 5' pipe route on an 18 inch breaker bar, not a budge so I went a step further, I rigged up a come-along, pulled it very tight and hit the pipe with a rubber mallet, huh......nothing. :mur:

So, being mechanically inept I'm wonder about an impact wrench, somewhere along the way I remember hitting an impact wrench to loosen something and the impact was enough to break free a rusted bolt. I can put a 1/2 extension straight into the plug's hole and under the Hydraulic rigid pipe. Perhaps I'll check with a local rental company, maybe a pneumatic impact wrench. I suspect after 7 years the plug is now a part of the engine block....... Let's see it's 10:15 on a Sunday, I guess there's a Happy Hour somewhere :drink: :licking:

 

[Mechanos]

Tractor Pilot,

Thanks for the information, I did figure the 1/2" Breaker Bar end into the plug however this one is going to give me a run for the money so-to-speak, my 790 is an '04 and it's frozen. With regards to installing the Heater Plug, I noticed it would take a 36MM socket that wouldn't fit into that tight space, did you use an adjustable plyer to hand tighten it as much as possible after applying the thread sealent? Good info on the coolant.

Looking at Mechanos's post - I did try to find another source for the Heater Plug and contacted Phillips and Temro Industries after reading some old posts, their part number 3100003 looked close but they responded: "We make the parts specifically for John Deere and they are not offered in the aftermarket catalogue". Can you share with us the ZeroStart Part or Model Number.

For those 2210 Owners I did find this installation procedure out there Installing Block Heater For John Deere 2210

For my 955, I used ZeroStart part no. 3100003. It's a 400W, 120V, 1' NPT. Here's a link to a handy catalog...
http://www.translectricinc.com/assets/downloads/2009_Zerostart.pdf

I did order mine from Translectric, but as I mentioned earlier, I've seen them for less on Amazon.

When I installed mine, I used a 24" breaker bar and an extension (so I wouldn't have to take the exhaust pipe off). I put everything I had it and promptly twisted the drive end off of my 1/2" extension. I ended up having to use my pnuematic impact wrench. Since I broke my extension and didn't have another long enough, I ended up taking the exhaust pipe off and putting the impact wrench directly into the plug. My impact wrench laughed at the plug and easily removed it. I used a large socket to install the block heater... 1-3/8" IIRC.

 

[sriddle1ny]

Mechanos,

Thanks for the information. I guess when I contacted Phillips and Temro Industries I asked specifically about my Yanmar Engine MODEL: 3TNV82A-LJNT in the '04 790.

Phillips & Temro - Catalogs

I just picked-up a pnuematic impact wrench and we'll see how that works out, tomorrow that is, it's time for football and :drink:

 

[sriddle1ny]

Mechanos,

It turns out my compressor's 6.5 gallon bladder tank wasn't able to drive the just purchased wrench (I didn't understand it takes a unit with a 20 or greater tank capacity) :confused3: so..... returned the wrench and rented an electric 300 ft.lb. impact wrench.

I first took a thin sharpie and drew a line through the outside of the frozen plug and on to the block. I used the electric wrench with an impact wrench rated 6 inch extension (read too many blogs about twisting estensions) and pounded away for about 30 minute. Huh, no movement, no break in the drawn line, nothing..........:confused2:

So I tried the 2' breaker bar again (thinking the impact wrench did something)with a 10' piece of pipe I used to screed sand when putting in a brick patio and pulling to the point the pipe kinked but also simultaneously turned the plug about an 8th of an inch. So, back to the wrench and finally off it came.

I did drain off about a qt of coolant before starting down this path and I'd say another 1/2 gl came out and I had a good size pan to catch everything then used the old cat litter for clean-up.

I opted to use regular plumbers polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or Teflon tape for the heater plug threads because the liquid sealants I looked at required a dry surface for application. So, over and done and I thank everyone who provided comments along the way. :thumbsup:

 

[Tractor Pilot]

Awesome!

I used Teflon tape to seal my block heater too. A year later - No leaks.

Remember not to plug in the heater till it is submerged in fluid or the element will quickly burn up. After you plug it in you should both hear it working and can feel the heat by touching the exterior of the block heater.

I hung my cord straight down and zip tied it to the hydraulic line. I bought one of those 3-prong to 2-prong electrical adapters; cut off the two prongs; and used that as a protector on the end of the block heater cord.

Glad you got that plug out. 10' pipe - you had to use the big gun.

Bruce

 

[sriddle1ny]

Tractor Pilot,

Yes, I followed the JD2210 Installation Instruction (link I previously posted) with regards to protecting the cable and like you, installed ties around the Hydraulic Line to hold it in place. I did find a 3-prong plug protector that Kat's, the manufacturer of engine heaters offers, catalog # 28405, on pg 84 of their on-line catalog (also on Amazon). Along that same line, I use a Schumacher 1.5 Amp Trickle Charger to keep the battery ready and I recently took the time to install a Schumacher Quick Connect Cable PN: WM-12 with permanent ring connections to the battery post connector screws. One thing to note, the new version of their product comes with attached protective caps so when you disconnect the Charger you can simply snap on the protective cap and it keeps the electrical connection clean and dry for next use. I ordered them directly from Schumacher three weeks ago using their 1-800 # and just sent them an email indicating their Stock Photo out there doesn't show the protective cap now coming with the cable. The $3 to $4 for these cables is well worth it..............