Block Heaters

[Charliebrn]

The mystery clears. The dealer called and said they got in the heater. Turns out their book was wrong and it was indeed the screw-in block heater and not the radiator installed one that they said it was. Thanks for the install instructions, going to install it this weekend....

 

[pcmem]

Charlie,

Good luck with the install. Other than the large hex wrench and large socket (1 1/16" I think) you don't need anything special. They were going to use a plumbers spanner to install it but I had a socket to fit and preferred that to slipping off. Biggest problem was there wasn't an easy, actually neat is a better word, way to drain the radiator without making a mess. Try a tube or go slow and be sure to let it cool first so you don't burn your fingers. And remember you don't need to torque the heater plug in like it is a head bolt, it only needs to stop leaks for about 15lbs of pressure in the cooling system. You'll need some teflon tape as I don't recall it included any.

Good luck and have fun,
Michael

 

[Charliebrn]

I'm going to install it this weekend.

Anybody interested in me taking any pics of the procedure to go along with the already excellent instructions Michael posted??? If so, I'd be happy to do it....

 

[MikePA]

Pictures would be great!

 

[oombala]

the block heater isnt designed to help in the actual startup, of the engine its designed to keep the oil heated so it flows as soon as the engine starts, there by keeping the engine lubed it will last longer. my dealer explained it to me this way, makes sense.. he also said dont keep it plugged in all the time, unless you like paying for electricity. he suggested plugging in for 20-30 minutes prior to using it .

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>...dont keep it plugged in all the time, unless you like paying for electricity. he suggested plugging in for 20-30 minutes prior to using it...</font color=blue>

Unless you have stock in the electric company, run the block heater off a programmable timer {as has been mentioned numerous times}...

Most mfrs. of block heaters recommend a minimum of 60 minutes "ON" time... to get a "20 degree" difference from ambient air temp for easier starting...

 

[cowboydoc]

Oombala,
The block heater most certainly does help with start-ups. I can't even think about starting my Deutz, 4020 or my skidsteer unless they have been plugged in. Yes you are right about it heating either the oil or the coolant, depending on the system, but in addition the engine being warmed will allow it to start. Most older diesels and such won't even think about starting, even with glow plugs, without being plugged in or alot of ether and good batteries!

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

I had both the block heater and the hydraulic heater put on my JD 4300 before delivery.

I'm not clear about why a block heater is considered preferable to an in-line coolant heater. Seems like heating the coolant, and also pumping it around within the block, would be a better solution? Wouldn't it heat the whole block, instead of just the spot the block heater is installed in?

Bob

Bob Trevithick

 

[cowboydoc]

In my opinion you're right Bob. I've used both in every kind of equipment from farm machinery to dozers to vehicles and I think they both do a fine job. If I had a choice I'd go with the inline heaters just for the fact that they are readily available at any farm or parts store, they are about a fourth or less of the cost of a block heater, and they are easy to get to and install if you need to put a new one in.

 

[rja]

I just installed one in a l300dt. It came from kubota. I had to knock out a freeze plug, (after draining the antifreez) , install a bushing that had threads in it's inside, and then screw in the heater element. Not so bad and the clearence behind the freeze plug was so small that there was no way to loose the plug inside the cooling jacket. Don't know how much use this will see, but it's nice to know it is there.

Rich