Block heater

PineRidge · Jan 23, 2004

So the ideal solution would be a 50/50 mix of Fleetguard & distilled water?

I was thinking about the Fleetguard anyway, just never gave any thought to the distilled water part.

Junkman · Jan 23, 2004

I am not sold on the fact that Fleetguard is worth the extra cost and that it is that much better... in my opinion, the jury is still out on Fleetguard. As for the use of distilled water, I wouldn't bother and I don't know many people that would either. I change anti freeze in the cars every 36 months and have never had a problems as a result. I also just used tap water. This is like so many "opinion" that what you should do isn't what is being done as a general rule. I remember back when I attended the GM Training Institute, the instructor saying that it is better to use any water in a battery rather than have the battery go without water because you didn't have distilled water. In theory, distilled water is better for a battery, but not many people actually use it. I don't and I also don't worry about battery failures. The new batteries last 4 - 5 years and don't cost that much to replace. I also change brake fluid on my cars every 24 months and don't have any brake problems. Some people never change brake fluid and never have problems either. The same with transmission fluid and differential gear lube... Everyone has an opinion, but not many people have actual proof that their was is the best way.. It is called anecdotal evidence.. it just can't be proven.....

tawilson · Jan 24, 2004

Depends on the temp for me. -0F and I'll leave it in overnight. Otherwise I use a timer and set 2 hours ahead of using it. Last night was supposed to get to -20F so I plugged it in and thru a blanket over the hood. I also picked up a magnetic heater to stick to the transmission.
I forgot how to do a degree symbol. If I don't do something every couple of days, I forget how.

art · Jan 24, 2004

Junkman, on the radiators it does make a difference in some engines in there lives just like it does on some of the other areas but let me cover the cooling system just a bit. I don't go for the distilled water either but I do add additives to the antifreeze after one year but I don't change it unless it is apart for one reason or another. Hard water being added to the cooling system makes it even more important to use the additive or fresh changes more important and this is most critical to all wet sleeve engines! This is where cavitation comes in to play to destroy the sleeves or in some styles of wet sleeves even the engine blocks.

gsxr1100 · Jan 24, 2004

PineRidge : I use the Fleetrite with distilled water. First this is only what I have used when compared to some other coolants. Starting in 94 I used the Fleetrite in my gsxr1100 motorcycle. Then I used it in my truck (powerchoke) then my tractors and my cars.

I have noticed that the internal surfaces do not get the dropout from deposit. If you want it even better/best I use distilled fluid.

Junkman —not starting a war here but the extra $1.20 per gallon for coolant is not really extra cost. That is less then a small Dunkin Donuts coffee. Also the (1) gallon of distilled water is like $0.89 at Wal-mart. So the total added cost is about $1.99. Cheaper then a gallon of milk. I figure for the $16,000 for my BX22 I can throw in an extra $2.00.

I know when I was a member of Ford diesel forums people on used these types of coolant. Even International and Mach recommend low –silicate coolant. The yellow prestone is high and it bad for diesel as they have stated.

I only change my coolants every 2 years and the rads are as clean as day #1. Open the cap and it is nice and clean. No junk. I can take a picture of my bike and the thing is unbelievably clean.

Not trying to make a boilerplate statement but rather going with the 1,000’s of people with the powerstroke, International and Mach use. Also I know John Deere makes a low- silicate anti-freeze just for this reason.

Art : Yup, the SCA are important nit some Fleetguard have them included in some coolants. In some engines, ie Powerstrokes, they forgot the sca's and had major problems.

Junkman · Jan 24, 2004

No war here Mike.... one, I didn't know that the cost differential had come to such a small point recently. I haven't even looked at the price in many years. Two, I now know that Walmart does sell distilled water and that it is cheap, but until 2 years ago, we didn't have a Walmart near here and I hadn't even considered it as a factor. Many things do change, but not all of them are for the better. Like you, my radiators and engines are clean on the inside and I have had success. I used the same products for the 190/220/240/300/350 diesels and never had problems with them either. As someone else said... the "Junkman is old and wise", but not so old and wise to not change his ways and consider new and better products. I will consider them for the next change. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Henro · Jan 24, 2004

<font color="blue">I am not sure which tractor you have, but if you have a BX 2230 you will not be able to use the block heater. You will have to use a coolant heater, according to Kubota. </font>

Just read this thread and did not pick up whether this was verified or not...just thought it might be useful to someone new if the above statement was answered directly. Somehow I doubt the statement is true.

We know for sure that a block heater is indeed used on the BX2200 series. And it was my understanding that the same engine is used on the BX2230.

A block heater is a coolant heater isn't it? I mean it is inserted in the side of the engine block, and resides in the coolant. It seems logical that a block heater would be available for the bx2230...

Sorry for this follow up, if the answer is already given somewhere above and I missed it... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

PineRidge · Jan 24, 2004

One last question and I'm outta here. Where do I get Fleetguard? I was at TSC weeks ago but they did not have it, any recommendations? Is this handled by WalMart?

Junkman · Jan 24, 2004

Art..... do you know what type of anti freeze is in the original factory fill from Kubota? I know that some of the tractors come KD and others like the BX-22/23 are driven off the trailer, so the answer might be both dealer filled and factory filled... Having a BX-22, I am curious what the factory installed brand type is...... thanks