Kubota block heaters

[Mendonsy]

I installed the OEM part from Messick's also using thread seal tape. No problems at all with that.
One note though .... the factory part is 3/4" pipe thread. Some engines (my B7500 for example) require a 1" x 3/4" threaded brass bushing to install them. There is an note about that in the instructions but it is easy to miss.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

only use OEM. If an aftermarket over heats the fluids, then your glow plugs won't turn on.

 

[xring100]

only use OEM. If an aftermarket over heats the fluids, then your glow plugs won't turn on.

I agree on using OEN byt my OEM plug heats the coolant well over 32°F on mu M8540 and the glow plugs dont turn on yet it starts just fine.

For everyone else:
You dont want to use regular pipe dope. I could not get 4 wraps to seal on my plug of regular teflon tape which upon reading an article standard rolls are only rated to 3/4" and mine was 1 1/8".
It would seal for a while but after a few heat cycles it would start weeping and further tightening would not resolve the issue. It was wrapped in the proper direction to prevent it from unraveling.

The oem block plug is sealed with an anerobic thread sealant so i ultimately sealed my block heater the same way. It is similar to loctite thread locker.

Here is the permatex version.
Thread Sealants : Permatex

 

[sixdogs]

I agree on using OEN byt my OEM plug heats the coolant well over 32°F on mu M8540 and the glow plugs dont turn on yet it starts just fine.

For everyone else:
You dont want to use regular pipe dope. I could not get 4 wraps to seal on my plug of regular teflon tape which upon reading an article standard rolls are only rated to 3/4" and mine was 1 1/8".
It would seal for a while but after a few heat cycles it would start weeping and further tightening would not resolve the issue. It was wrapped in the proper direction to prevent it from unraveling.

The oem block plug is sealed with an anerobic thread sealant so i ultimately sealed my block heater the same way. It is similar to loctite thread locker.

Here is the permatex version.
Thread Sealants : Permatex

That is good advice. Thanks for posting it.

 

[xring100]

That is good advice. Thanks for posting it.

Thanks your welcome.

After I failed to seal it the second time with tape. I went to Auto Value and bought the thread sealant. I remembered seeing it next to the anerobic gasket maker which i used for sealing the two halves of my manual transmission on my Saturn i had to tear it down an replace the input shaft seal it sat for a couple if years and devolped a leak immediately after pullling it out of storage

 

[Teikas Dad]

OK, after checking with three local Kubota dealers I finally found one that had the block heater in stock. I stopped this afternoon and picked it up. Then a quick stop at HF to get the 17mm hex head socket and AutoZone next door for the Permatex thread sealant. They had the high heat sealant which according to the package is identical to the one XRing suggested.

Now, where do I find the plug in the block that I have to swap out on a B3200? Left side, right side, front, back?

 

[wmonroe]

OK, after checking with three local Kubota dealers I finally found one that had the block heater in stock. I stopped this afternoon and picked it up. Then a quick stop at HF to get the 17mm hex head socket and AutoZone next door for the Permatex thread sealant. They had the high heat sealant which according to the package is identical to the one XRing suggested. Now, where do I find the plug in the block that I have to swap out on a B3200? Left side, right side, front, back?

Can't help on where it goes on your machine but maybe someone else will chime in. Did any instructions come with it?

 

[xring100]

OK, after checking with three local Kubota dealers I finally found one that had the block heater in stock. I stopped this afternoon and picked it up. Then a quick stop at HF to get the 17mm hex head socket and AutoZone next door for the Permatex thread sealant. They had the high heat sealant which according to the package is identical to the one XRing suggested.

Now, where do I find the plug in the block that I have to swap out on a B3200? Left side, right side, front, back?

Awesome. I have a bigger block tractor my instructions showed a illustration of the motor. Mine is located on the right hand back corner of the block behind the water separator (i had to remove the bowl to get access) However older versions actually had one on the left side but mine has an egr collant line that location.
Neighbors old b2400 is also right rear. I'm pretty sure you wont find many plugs in the block with that size hex. There may be more than one to accommodate different orientation in various equipment that block may be in. I.E. generator, zero turn, skid steer, etc.

 

[Mendonsy]

Now, where do I find the plug in the block that I have to swap out on a B3200? Left side, right side, front, back?

On my B7500 it is a 17mm hex plug on the left side in front of and slightly above the starter. Dunno about the b3200 engine??

 

[Teikas Dad]

Mistake #1, I didn't even look at the directions! Some of the other posts said they were kind of generic in nature. I'll search the block for a 17mm hex head plug and see how many there are.....hopefully there's only one.
Thanks for the replies.