Block Heater for 3016 Diesel Shuttle

[rmay66]

Anyone have knowledge or experience installing a block heater for a Mahindra 3016 Diesel Shuttle? Mahindra wants roughly $300 for theirs...is there a 3rd party product that is cheaper and works efficiently?

 

[nelsond7004]

Hi rmay66, I couldn't help but respond to your post since you are in my neck of the woods. Just curious, is your 3016 stubborn in cold weather?

 

[AchingBack]

Anyone have knowledge or experience installing a block heater for a Mahindra 3016 Diesel Shuttle? Mahindra wants roughly $300 for theirs...is there a 3rd party product that is cheaper and works efficiently?

Before paying $300, I'd be down at the local thrift store, picking up a cheap electric blanket; which just might be a 3rd party product. It would work, wouldn't it?

 

[George2615]

A universal in line lower hose heater will work just as well for under $50 and it's available at auto parts stores. Just need to buy one that fits the inside diameter of the lower radiator hose.

 

[nesral]

I priced a block heater for my 3016. Mahindra quoted about $195. I guess I will take George2615 tip and find an inline hose heater. It dropped to -25.8 last night. Pretty hard to start a diesel under those conditions.

 

[Tkblacktail]

A Risk Management Perspective

The cost of replacing an engine ($thousands)
Divided by the probability (short-term severity of -25 degrees f)
=Risk (high).

Mitigation: So, at a bare minimum, running the engine for 12 hours a day (4 hours on & 4 hours off intervals) in the interim, would cost less than replacing the engine. This is what we did with our vehicles on the Korean Peninsula back in the early 80s.

Wouldn't a "Frost King" do the same thing on a lower radiator hose; keep the engine somewhere near the starting temp.

Frost King 6 ft. Electric Water Pipe Heat Cable-HC6 at The Home Depot

 

[MarkF48]

Some options at > Kat's

A buddy of mine in California mentioned the magnetic heater stuck to the oil pan worked well for him

 

[diesel lover]

Anyone have knowledge or experience installing a block heater for a Mahindra 3016 Diesel Shuttle? Mahindra wants roughly $300 for theirs...is there a 3rd party product that is cheaper and works efficiently?

I can help you out here. What kind of block heater was mahindra's quote for ? Screw into the block type or freeze plug type? If you have an available freeze plug.... use it!!!! They are not hard to install, but not easy in any way in cold weather. Freeze plug type heaters heat TVs coolant closest to the engines cylinder walls and combustion chambers. All auto parts stores are able to get freeze plug type or radiator hose type heating elements! 25$ to 75$ for either type. If you are going to have trouble with the install a friend who is a mechanic will be of great help. Here is a video of a radiator hose type heater if for some reason a freeze plug type will not work. Radiator hose types work well but less effienciently that something mounted inside the block. In either case get the highest watt heater you can as that will be hotter and have a larger element! Oriellys has ever start brand which I highly suggest.

 

[diesel lover]

Something is better than nothing at all. At that cold you should plug in any block heater for a minimal of 4 to 5 hours. Here is how to install a lower radiator hose heater. Very simple if you cannot install a freeze plug type.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxkJOCivAtA&feature=youtube_gdata_player