BX-24 block heater or inline heater

[whatever1]

Hello,
Taking a survey / looking for suggestions.......

Block Heater or inline heater in the lower radiator hose ???

 

[oldnslo]

On my BX1850 the only option was lower radiator hose. My first choice is block heaters since 100% of the heat goes into the engine. Heater hose units work but they rely on the water circulating.

 

[JWR]

This same question came up about 2 weeks ago in the context of a B2150 on another thread. Block heaters are just a source of trouble in my opinion. There are all sorts of issues including leakage, limited area of heat, etc. Heat does not get distributed well from making one spot on the side of the engine hot !! I have used the lower radiator hose circulation type heater in VW diesels starting back in 1979. They work great. Advantages include warming up the whole relevant area at the same time (engine, radiator, starter motor.) They also work faster and can be used when you have a shorter amount of time prior to wanting to start the engine. I recommend using the in-line heater for sure if you can find space to put it.

 

[Mowbizz]

This same question came up about 2 weeks ago in the context of a B2150 on another thread. Block heaters are just a source of trouble in my opinion. There are all sorts of issues including leakage, limited area of heat, etc. Heat does not get distributed well from making one spot on the side of the engine hot !! I have used the lower radiator hose circulation type heater in VW diesels starting back in 1979. They work great. Advantages include warming up the whole relevant area at the same time (engine, radiator, starter motor.) They also work faster and can be used when you have a shorter amount of time prior to wanting to start the engine. I recommend using the in-line heater for sure if you can find space to put it.

Dont know what block heater you used but when I plug my BX25D in for a half hour or so the top of the engine and pretty much anything you that is metal touch it and Is nice and warm. I would recommend one!

 

[Trillium Farm]

I prefer the lower hose inline heater, they heat faster and give you faster heating in the cab, but they cost a lot more. Either is better to none

 

[Egon]

Either one works well. They both end up circulating fluid by temperature difference in the coolant.

In the cold areas you will find almost every car has a block heater. My twenty two year old truck has one. There have been no troubles with it.

Lot of misinformation out there.

 

[Trillium Farm]

Either one works well. They both end up circulating fluid by temperature difference in the coolant.
In the cold areas you will find almost every car has a block heater. My twenty two year old truck has one. There have been no troubles with it.
Lot of misinformation out there.

I had a block heater on my diesel car, but a lower hose heater on my MF50 and that was a gasser, in cold area not to have one is false economy.

 

[Egon]

I had a block heater on my diesel car, but a lower hose heater on my MF50 and that was a gasser, in cold area not to have one is false economy.

Yes; they do work and warm an engine up nicely. Put one on each side of V8 and melt snow off the hood and underneath the vehicle!

 

[RaydaKub]

I put a block heater into my BX2230 4 years ago. No regrets. It's only like 350 watts if I recall, but in an unheated garage that gets into the 20 degree range, the metal hood is warm to the touch after an hour. No experience w/ a hose type, but for your BX24, this one will work great.

 

[davedj1]

I have an inline type on my Lull, it has a 4 cyl John Deere diesel, I leave it plugged in 24/7 on the jobsite. It fires right up like a bright sunny summer day when it's 10 degrees out
The whole engine is warm and it has no hood or shroud.