BX 25 Block Heater revisited....

Dpm708 · Jan 13, 2010

Let me begin by saying I have looked at other threads/comments on BX block heaters. My BX 25 is kept under a tarp for now and have been able to start it after about 45 secs holding the glowplug light on. Have only used it 3-4 times to "rearrange " snow in my (gravel) drive way here in SE Mass. (Snowblower easier to manuver for initial cleaning.) I've been starting it about once a week to make sure it will. Slow cranking but it has started OK so far.

I wouldn't mind putting in a block heater as it seems there are those who feel it can't hurt in very cold weather.

My question would be.. Has anyone actually put a block heater in a BX 25 D902-E3 Engine this winter? ( Fall/Winter 2009) I have looked but have not taken off the engine cover to see well enough if this engine has a 25mm screwed in plug on the right side of the block that has been referred to in other posts. A screw in heater would be ideal as I would probably not try to do the freeze plug type. Maybe if I take the cover off I can see better, but for now I have no sheltered area where I can work on it. I would probably take it to a friends heated garage to do this if it seems reasonable.
The part # I have is 70000 73274 which seems to be a 25mm screw in block heater for around $40.

Would appreciate any thoughts from the experts out there...

Thanks

bill in ny · Jan 13, 2010

dpm, go to messicks.com and click on the kubota sign. then enter you're model number and click search. then click on engine. then click on crankcase. i think you're block heater would go where the part #170 is on the block. call messicks and make sure. it should be easy to install if that is where it goes. #170 on the block is part #06311-55020. hope this helps.

Stradbash · Jan 13, 2010

I installed a block heater in my BX 25 a few months ago. Though I too would have preferred that it be a screw in type..., the drive in 25mm diameter one is what fits in this engine. I had the threaded version and looked hard for a place to put it... No go. So, the drive in one goes on the left side of the block in front of the injection pump. It's not hard to do. The biggest nuisance is draining the radiator. You do have to remove the plastic engine cowling in order to gain decent access to the freeze plug, which comes out pretty easily. I have been using the heater for 60-90 minutes recently before starting and it starts VERY easily. I've also been using a battery tender. Cheap insurance and peace of mind with both devices.

Stradbash · Jan 13, 2010

bill in ny said:
dpm, go to messicks.com and click on the kubota sign. then enter you're model number and click search. then click on engine. then click on crankcase. i think you're block heater would go where the part #170 is on the block. call messicks and make sure. it should be easy to install if that is where it goes. #170 on the block is part #06311-55020. hope this helps.

This could be true and I would kick myself a bit if it is.

My heater is installed in one of the holes in which part 040 goes in the above referenced diagram

auroraproject · Jan 14, 2010

So is part #: 70000-73274 the correct block heater for the BX25, and is installed in the hole previously occupied by part #: 06311-55020 (170 on the diagram)?

I have a BX25, and I've been wanting a block heater for it, but I haven't been able to find the correct info for this. Can anyone confirm?

Dpm708 · Jan 14, 2010

Well, here's what I've learned so far...I've looked at the engine diagrams at messicks for what is supposed to be BX23, BX24 and BX25 blocks. All appear to be the same. The screw in heater started with my looking at member "escavader's" post in 2008 ( http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-bx-engine-905e-block-heater.html#post1543577 ) showing a 25mm port he installed a block heater. The quandry is that his engine is clearly a 905e even though messicks shows the same diagram for BX 23,24,25 engines ( my bx25 being a D902-E3) and there doesn't seem to be a screw in plug on the right side of the block diagram which might correspond to his location where he put his heater given the fact that his engine is not the same exact model as mine.

So my options seem to be:

Look into the plug area that member "bill in ny" suggested it might go and see if there is room and the right size?

Member "stradbash" apparently did install a drive-in one with good results but I am reluctant to try this. (In my case, Murphy's Law would be in full force)

Look into a lower radiator hose type?

As long as it's been starting at all, leave the darn thing alone and put a trickle charger on it?

Build a lean to/shed for it this spring and figure out if I still want to put in some kind of heater this summer?

Thanks to all.... Happy Winter !!!

DavidAubke · Jan 14, 2010

I've considered a heater for my BX2350 but I have no problem starting it. So far it's fired right up while in the low teens and that's about as cold as I expect to have to deal with around here. I give the glow plugs about 15 to 20 seconds before cranking.

I expect that, even though it's starting, it would be better for the engine if it was preheated a little... help to get the oil flowing better sooner. Also, it's still very young and may not be so eager after a few years. For those reasons, I'll probably install a heater before next winter anyway.

keyman1808 · Jan 14, 2010

I'd say get a diesel fired torpedo heater and set it up about 30 min before using and let it warm it up. Not ideal you will loose lots of the heat but it should be OK. Dont put it too close or you could melt some plastics or blister the paint

radioman · Jan 14, 2010

Well, I havent had to use the BX24 tractor when it was below -10 yet. I been able to start the tractor when it was below -5 before in middle of the night. It does start rough and then smooths out after it warms up. I had the tractor for over 3 years and haven't needed to warm engine yet, but since I am planning on keeping it for a long time, I probably will add the heater. I am watching this thread with interest.

I do beleive that adding a heater to it will make it start much quicker and many TBN'ers say. Of all the info I have seen for the recent BX's heater plugs, it all seems to be a drive in type.

Stradbash · Jan 14, 2010

arcli9ht said:
So is part #: 70000-73274 the correct block heater for the BX25, and is installed in the hole previously occupied by part #: 06311-55020 (170 on the diagram)?
I have a BX25, and I've been wanting a block heater for it, but I haven't been able to find the correct info for this. Can anyone confirm?

I cannot say that the above will not work in a BX-25. I can say that part #: 70000-00771 will. I used mine again today. There are two freeze plugs on the left side of the block in front of the injection pump. The instructions say to put it in the forward one, which I did. I used high strength loctite and have had no leaks. I cleaned the hole and the heater well, made sure the hole stayed dry of creeping coolant, cleaned both parts with acetone, put the loctite on the heater and carefully drove it in. The directions for the heater say to use a 1" socket over the end while driving. I made a simple tool instead to help insure alignment so that I would not have it cocked in the hole when starting. I used a 1 lb. "deadblow" hammer and was careful about not hitting the heater any harder than I needed to. As far as I know..., I did not crack the block.