Block Heater on a JD990?

[BWa]

I have the parts , tech , and owners manuals , picked up the block heater kit some time ago and figured it was time to put it in . Drained the fluid , got the kit out , heater , gasket, two bolts , and spacer.....looked at both tech and parts books , then the engine , book says need spcer , no place on the engine that the spacer will mount ...
Called the dealer and was told it fits ? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Before I take a frezee plug out and chance that it is threaded , and deep enough to take the block heater ...two questions , any one has done this , and if it not the right plug , how hard is replacing a frezee plug ?
bill g.

 

[johnbilt]

I have thought about adding a block heater to my JD990. I will be interested in some pictures of your final installation.

Freeze plugs are not threaded. They are a concave metal cup that is tapped into place inside a machined or cast hole in the block. I usually apply a little sealer to the sealing edges and tap them into place. Make sure it is centered into the hole.

I would recommend making sure which is the correct plug for placement before knocking it out. Usually a tap with a screwdriver or chisel will dislodge the plug. Be careful not to chisel or strike the block !

Good Luck - Anxious to see your results.

John

 

[BWa]

Well now proven that I have the mechanical ablity of a duck , ... and work better with pictures , I have been all over the tech and parts manuals , the only out I can find is a pipe plug on the block on the opposite side from the kit picture install (parts Manual) . What really has me confused is that the kit picture shows a 3 cyclinder block , and the 990 has a 4, .????
None of the frezee plugs are fitted for the spacer , I many go look at this pipe plug but wonder if it has the room needed to mount the heater .... at least it is threaded ...
Bill G.
At least the tranmission heater I got at the same time is straight forward install. But will wait for the oil change to do it not really in to dealing with 5 gallons of oil twice....
Live and learn'n the hard way .... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[johnbilt]

Hi

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I may wander to the JD store today and buy/order a block heater so I can take a look at the installation and parts for my 990. Maybe I can figure something out and share the information.

Keep trying

John

 

[mountain_man]

I'd like to know where it fits too. After doing a "Where Used Search?" in the JD Parts list, the engine coolant heater P/N AR87167 is used on lots of JD equipment including CUTS (650-1070, 4200-4700, 2210) as well as lawn tractors, excavators skidloaders etc. However the associated pictures, don't show where it goes.

This is from a post about a block heater on a 2210. Does this help? 2210 Block Heater . Looks like it's on the right side of engine to the rear behind the injector pump.

 

[BWa]

I have looked at that area on my 990, it is the closes thing to having want may ? pass for machined fit of the spacer block and possibly plugged/ paint filled mounting hole ....but the amount of space between the injector pump and the block is so limited that even just the heater looks like it would not fit ....never mind the spacer or trying to install it short of taking the pump off... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Bill G.
The block heaterless /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[mountain_man]

I'll take a look at my 790 tonight (similar engine as yours just missing one cylinder - 3TNE84 vs. 4TNE84). I also expect to see my JD dealer tomorrow and I'll ask if anyone knows about installation of block heater. BTW - JD allows only 1/2 hour to install - can't be that tough, can it?

 

[mountain_man]

BillG - Here's a picture of the place on the 790 engine where I think it goes. I'll see if I can get some more info from my JD dealer.

 

[zuiko]

Reading this I am sure glad I opted to have the dealer put it in (for free) when I got the tractor. I will take a look at mine and see where it is.

 

[mountain_man]

If possible a picture would be great. Thanks,

 

[mountain_man]

OK - I think I've found the answer. I had my local JD dealer show me on a 790 where the block heater goes. Look on the LEFT SIDE of the engine block in about the middle. You should find a large (1") pipe plug with a square opening for a breaker bar. It is a threaded opening where the heater module is screwed in. He did say you do need a good quality breaker bar/extension as the plug is VERY tight. You do NOT need to remove any freeze plugs.

On the 790 the spacer, 2 bolts and gasket are not used, just the threaded heater module.

Now get out there and get it done and send us a photo!

 

[Marko]

BWa ,

I do not have a 990 but a 4110. I installed a block heater last winter and it has work great. Machine starts just
like it does during the summer /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I have it on a timer and plug it in the night before I know I am going to use the
machine. I created a webpage for the install with all the part #'s and cost. I know this does not help you with
your 990 install , however the install steps should be some what the same and should give you a good idea of what
the outcome should look like.

http://24.34.89.194:90/

Good Luck

Mark

 

[BWa]

I did see the Pipe pug on the opporsite side of the engine , I guess we take another shot at it this week end , ....Nothing burns me more /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif than to have the service / parts manual differant from what you have in front of you .... Again thanks all will try to get pictures , if I can get the wife to let me near the digital camera... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Bill g.
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[BWa]

Well the heater is in , Boy ,,,,,,that was some fun , .... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Who ever said that the plug was going to be in there tight was not kidding !!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I found the plug all right , of course it was on the opporsit side that the manual showed , got the 1/2' breaker bar and extention put it in the plug and ,grrrrrrrrrrrrrr, it no move ... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif,, got a 6' pipe slide on to bar and now it is easily loosened and unthread , ....earlier I had drained the fluid or so I thought, got a nice little flood of green fluid that I had to clean up /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif, ... started the heater plug by hand threading in to the block ... Oops , no room for a wrench /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif, need a socket, ,hmmm 35mm / or 1 3/8 ",, /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I no got , so it is off to find one , a friend the tool man no go ,, so off to the local stores , Nappa , no ,,, Auto store , no ,,, local hardware , and they have everything ,,,no .... Lowes ,,no ,, Sears ,,,, Yup , but have you got money ,,,,,,,,,,, don't have it in 1/2" drive , 3/4" drive only and no adaptors , ..........$14.00 socket , extention bar $30.00 ,,,,breaker bar , cheap one $28.00 ........... time loss hunting and driving around for it 4.5 hours.....Wife would not let me have the camera ,,, so no pictures of the fun ,,, /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif,
Well at least my friend went along for the ride and giggled at all this fun I was having ...gee I wonder if it works ? at least it is not leaking ...yet ...
Again thanks all for the help ...
Bill
the duck mechanic

 

[mountain_man]

Bill,
Thanks for the follow-up! 35mm or 1-3/8" socket needed is great info. I guess JD estimates 1/2 hour assuming you have all the required tools. Please see if you can convince your wife to take a picture of the completed install for future TBN'rs.
I take it your friend who giggles is not your wife? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Think how happy your engine will be when it's all warm and cozy... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[BWa]

No giggles is not my wife ..lol ... He just has a strange sense of humor at times .. like myself ,....kind of like having the 3 stoogers as grange mechanics and it is not your tractor they a working on ... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Bill G.

 

[johnbilt]

HI

Finally got around to installing my block heater. The previous info posted is correct. The plug is VERY tight, and a 1-3/8" socket will install the new heater plug very nicely.

I used my 3/4" drive ratchet with a 3 foot helper bar to remove the block plug. Incredibly tight !! Why on earth would they torque that plug so hard at the factory. I would be afraid of stripping or cracking the block.

I first put a bucket under the radiator drain and emtpied it. I still had to pull the block plug slowly as the remainder drained into the bucket below.

I have posted some pictures of the operation.

I also installed a transmission heater plug. It is a larger unit than the block heater. I just unscrewed the plug and immediately ( if not sooner) installed the heater. I only lost a small amount of trans fluid which I topped off at the filler. It is easier to access by removing the left rear wheel.

Good Luck
John

 

[johnbilt]

Photo of Starter and removal of !@@*!!@ Plug.

 

[johnbilt]

Final Install of Block Heater.

 

[johnbilt]

Picture of Transmission Heater