bx engine[905e]block heater install

[escavader]

In the directions for the freeze plug version it does say to drain the coolant. I can't see much reason to remove more than you have to in order to get it below the level of the plug, but how do you tell until you've removed the plug?!

It also says in the directions; "To avoid death or serious personal injury: Never energize heater in the air. If the heater element is energized in the air, it may burst."
As it happens, I have seen this sort of thing happen with an even lower wattage heater. It's pretty scary considering the potential for injury.

You of course wouldnt plug in the heater until you have ran the engine ,circulated the antifreeze and topped it off.After this the block is filled back up.
I run good synthetic,but the heater really helps on startup in extreme cold.Ialways could start it before,but now it starts up just like its summer.
ALAN

 

[jimmer2880]

Yesterday, I purchased a block heater for my bx1830. I went to the dealership in an attempt to get a screw-in type. Unfortunately, one isn't available for my engine (no screw plugs). They gave me a non-kubota brand freeze-plug heater. It gets mounted in the front of the head. After knocking out the plug, I realized that the heater they supplied was 1.5mm too big for the hole! Back to the dealer. They brought out the Kubota brand, which was the perfect size. However, the Kubota model required to be driven into the hole with a hammer. Of course, in order to do that, I would have to remove my muffler. They were nice enough to offer to order another heater like the one that didn't fit.

Off to Napa I went. The new heater will be in later this week. Napa's version is a whole $2.50 cheaper than the dealership.

I know it'll be worth it when it's finally in. But - it's Quality Control like this that makes me cringe every time I need to work on something. I know it's not the dealership's fault. And - it seems like every single manufacturer has the same problems.

Ok - My rant is over now

 

[escavader]

Sorry to hear of your difficultys.My first attempt was an inline heater i put in the radiator hose[lower].After hacking up my hose i realized there wasnt enough room for it in that tiny place.No dealer around had one ,it took me a week to get running again,and still didnt have a block heater.Ifeel your pain
ALAN

 

[bill in ny]

i went through the same thing with my m8540 this week. i had some spare time thurs. so i drained the antifreeze and took the screw in plug out of the block. went to put the new element in and it was to small. i had to use the tractor later that day so i had to refill with new antifreeze. i called messick's and they sent me the right one, and i got it today, sat. i went through the same routine today, and everything went perfect. the parts package had the right number on it, but the wrong parts inside. (not messick's fault). while i had it in the shop, i changed the fuel filter and the water separator filter. they were do at 400hrs. anyway. bleeding the air out of the lines with this tractor is very simple, even i could do it.

 

[jimmer2880]

Thanks for the replies. I had to remove my entire bonnet in order to get enough room to drive the old plug out. That is giving me an excuse to bang some of the big dent the PO put in the hood. It'll be my first time trying to beat out a dent, so wish me luck. If I remember, I'm going to swing buy the HF store this week to get the dent banging tools. I'm not after anything close to perfection, but it would be great to lessen the dent a tad. By that time, hopefully NAPA will have my heater in stock

It's just a shame that 30mm sometimes means 31.5mm

 

[jimmer2880]

I tried getting a 30mm block heater from NAPA. the 30mm was good, but the element was turned, which didn't allow for clearance on the head walls.

The replacement that the dealer got it was the accurate size. Fits like a glove. I'm sure my tractor will like not having to start cold.

 

[sw03]

At -25/30 deg synthetic won't help much.
Only a heater will assist starting at those temps.

Perhaps on a cold Florida morning it is the solution, but not in my part of the world.

If you use a good oil (grp 4/5) the pumping temp is a little better (lower) then that. If you fail to start, you need better GP or battery.

I have not needed a heater in 15+ years on F350 or bota in the northeast. Lowest I had start is about -22 and worked fine..Not wires to unit needed! LOL

 

[jimmer2880]

If you use a good oil (grp 4/5) the pumping temp is a little better (lower) then that. If you fail to start, you need better GP or battery.

I have not needed a heater in 15+ years on F350 or bota in the northeast. Lowest I had start is about -22 and worked fine..Not wires to unit needed! LOL

I agree that it's not "needed". But, the heater sure makes it easier to start & get going. I have to think that it's easier on the equipment to let the heater warm up the fluids first.

 

[sw03]

I agree that it's not "needed". But, the heater sure makes it easier to start & get going. I have to think that it's easier on the equipment to let the heater warm up the fluids first.

I agree but the UOA I did one winter and the other (one with using heater and not on the other) did not show more wear #'s etc. In theory it should make a diff in low temps but I have yet to see.

At least in Northeast I have not see it.

 

[thirdroc17]

We don't NEED a lot of things, but a lot things we don't need certainly makes life easier. Because of that simple fact, I'm putting a block heater in my BX-2670. Unfortunately, Kubota's charts say I need the freeze plug type, so when I ordered one for my model, that's what came in the package. However, the side of my engine looks exactly like the one pictured at the beginning of this thread. According to Kubota, that part number is for the B series. Oh well, it should be here in a couple of days, I should have it installed in a couple of months......