block heater fon 5460L

[pierrej]

I purchased a new 5460L last fall (2013) and my dealer installed a block heater, Phillips & Temro, part no: LR1843, the first time I plugged it, it burned, the dealer replaced it under warranty, but the same problem happened, they replaced it again, yet the same problem happened, they replaced it another time and had the same problem. Now my dealer does'nt want to hear from me, he claims that the problem is with my electric outlet. I checked the voltage on my outlet and it reads 124volt, and also check the polarity and that too is OK. I also talked to my electrician and explained him my problem, and he tells me that the problem is not my oulet, which is of ground proof type. The block heater is screwed in a bushing about 1 1/2'' deep, that comes out of a frost plug. I think the element of the block heater is not submerged enough in the antifreeze because of the depth of the bushing and doesn't reach enough in the engine block.

I hope someone can help me,

Regards

Pierrej

 

[Jerry/MT]

The block heater must be immersed in the coolant AND it must not touch any metal in the cooling jacket. It should also not be connected when the engine is running.

 

[jimmysisson]

Jerry's right. Did they install the correct heater? Is this a JD dealer? The bushing sounds like it has to be there to keep the heater from hitting the block. But maybe the heater contacts the bushing? I would think it would still be submerged, but maybe coolant can't circulate quick enough away from it and it over heats???
See what another dealer recommends for a block heater for your rig.
Jim

 

[pierrej]

Thanks Jerry & Jimmy for your answers for my problem, I checked the element and there are no marks that suggest it is touching either the bushing or the cylinder wall. It is actually melting the lead that welds the element to the block heater body. It looks like if was'nt submerged enough. By the way, the Block heater was indeed installed by my Kubota dealer. Thanks again for your input.
Pierre

 

[Sportsman762]

Not being submerged would make sense. The Zero Start / Phillips Temro brand is good. If you had put a Kats heater in then the melted element / constant failure would make sense.
Let us know what you do to fix this.