cold weather starting aids for ym1601

[arthr31]

Hi there, can anyone recommend where I might be able to get an engine block freeze plug heater and transmission heater for a 1601d (i think us model is 180d)? It's starting to get cold, thus starting to get difficult to start up!! Thanx

 

[gbirky]

I put a block heater in my YM1301D. It goes in a 1" NPT threaded hole on the right (exhaust) side of the engine. A transmission heater is not really necessary. I posted information in this thread.

Here is the main information:
Part# 2358980
Description: Engine Block Heater for 135, 155, 165, 169, 180, 186, 187, 195, 220, 240, 226, 276

If you have one of these threaded holes on the side of your YM1601 engine block, you should be able to use this heater. The plugs on my tractor had a square hole in them for a socket wrench. It was very convenient to install, but I got it about 3 years ago - cost about $35. I think today it is more like $55.

 

[arthr31]

hi there, need some help/advice here...
i've been asking about this off-n-on since october... Starting my 1601 in cold weather is miserable. I think I almost killed the starter on monday cause i couldn't get it started...

anyway, i know this tractor supposedly has thermostart. but, for the life of me, i can't find it. Mind you, i only have a user manual for a 180d (i've ordered the parts manual yesterday for a 180d, should help). The schematic for the 180d shows the heater plug as part of the exhaust/intake manifold. This looks a bit different than the 1601d.

There are a few 'plug' like things on the engine head that i'd like to investigate further, but that's hard for me-- whenever i have the time to try and do some mechanic stuff, it's dark and even worse, usually below 20-15F.

I'm beginning to think that when this tractor was rebuilt (or whatever), the thermo plug re-install was omitted, or that like parts were used which didn't include the thermostart.

So, here are my questions:
1. Can anyone look at these engine pictures and spot the thermostart / heater plug (maybe the winner gets a prize! ;-) )
2. If it's decided that i don't have it, anyone speculate on what it'd take to add? I don't care about replacing the plug itself, and would if i could find it, and it was faulty. replacing an intake manifold, etc. to a few hundred bucks would be less desireable.

Now mind: I have a 169d with thermo, starts up in 15F weather like it was 70F (well, how the 1601 starts up in 70F). And, the 1601d has the TS position on the ignition switch....

Thanks all for the patience with this question. I really do appreciate the feedback / input, i'm kinda at a loss here and could use some guidance... -arthr

 

[arthr31]

here's a pic of the exhaust side of the engine....

 

[arthr31]

alrighty, one more, full engine pic....

 

[chriswheeler]

Don't know your engine. All of the pics are taken to far foward. You should find a small plastic bottle, mid engine to the left of #2 cyl. on the engine. The mounting bracket for it mounts the plastic bottle just slightly above the valve cover on the left side. this bottle needs to be filled with diesel, it has a snap on cap and should hold about 1/3 cup of diesel. Follow the small hose coming out of the bottom of this and it will enter the intake at the top of the thermostart. When you use the thermostart a small amount of diesel drips on a heated wire in the thermostart. This the vapor given off by heating the diesel helps it start. To check if the thermostart is working first remove the air cleaner cap. Make sure the small bottle had diesel in it. turn the key to the TS position ( counterclock ) and hold for 10 seconds. You should see a small amount of smoke coming from the intake. If you do see smoke, reassemble the air cleaner, use the decompression lever and the thermostart and give it a try. If you don't see smoke, most likely have a problem with the thermostart element. I live in a area that often goes to 0-10 degrees. A magnetic block heater makes all the difference. Costs about $50 for the larger one. You want the larger 400 watt unit, works better. Stick this thing to the oil pan and plug it in the night before you need to use it. If you keep it outside, cover it with a tarp to hold the heat in. With the heater and the thermostart, it starts the first try when it is 5 degrees outside. Good luck,
Chris

 

[arthr31]

hi Chris,
Thanks for the response. I use a magnetic block/oil pan heater, and tarp. sometimes I even heat under the tarp with an electric heater. Even with all of these support elements, it is difficult to start (oh yea, also use power service additive to diesel).

This past monday, the tractor was outside, too far from electric block heater cord (and extension), and had to try and start on it's own. Well, suffice to say, gave up when the starter started sound like it was grinding... Took the battery out to recharge and will try for warmer weather at this point. but, still something tells me that the TS ain't working. The 169d starts outside without any help NO PROB!!!

Thanks again, i'll check out if I see any smoke from the Air element area... -Arthr

 

[YanmarFever]

Arthr
Do you see the black rubber intake hose where it meets the engine? It has a clamp around it.
Well if you pull the hose off the intake manifold & look down the metal tube,there is your thermal start plug.
If you turn your key to the left you will see smoke come out of that tube. DO NOT LOOK IN IT WHILE TURNING THE KEY
fire will come out & burn your eyes. If nothing comes out, your thermal start heater has burnt out . Its easy to replace.
Ernie /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[arthr31]

Thanks, Ernie. I'll check that out. To be sure, the hose you're referring to is on the left hand side of the engine, coming from the air cleaner element going strait down into the engine.. (biggest hose there is...) Thanks!

 

[Jagmandave]

Arthur,
I have a 1602 which appears to be identical to yours, it looks to me in your third pic that you are missing the little cup that holds the diesel fuel, on mine it mounts to a bracket at the front left side of the valve cover. On the front fuel injector, there is a small hose coming out of the front end of that injector that goes to this plastic cup and keeps it full for subsequent starts. Unless the 1601 is done differently, I don't see any of this hardware on your engine..............
FWIW, mine also has a small wire that mounts to the front right of the valve cover that stabilizes the overflow bottle, yours doesn't seem to have that either, .......