Engine Block Heaters

[RjCorazza]

My old L275 was a bear to start in warm weather. Below freezing, it wouldn't start with a heater. I used to buy them to go into the lower radiator hose never could keep them working, however.
My 3301 came with a block heater. I used it once, then the darned thing stopped working.

FINALLY I asked about it here and found out what I was doing wrong. I used to start the tractor while the heater was still plugged in, and apparently they don't like that.

I have heard that also about starting a diesel with the block heater plugged in. I have always unplugged before starting, but don't know why this happens. Perhaps someone here knows?

 

[deserteagle71]

I have heard that also about starting a diesel with the block heater plugged in. I have always unplugged before starting, but don't know why this happens. Perhaps someone here knows?

My block heater is plumbed into the coolant ports on the engine so no reason plugged in or not would make any difference. Been starting my old John Deere with the heater plugged in ever since I had it.

 

[Jerry/MT]

My old L275 was a bear to start in warm weather. Below freezing, it wouldn't start with a heater. I used to buy them to go into the lower radiator hose never could keep them working, however.
My 3301 came with a block heater. I used it once, then the darned thing stopped working.

FINALLY I asked about it here and found out what I was doing wrong. I used to start the tractor while the heater was still plugged in, and apparently they don't like that.

If there is any coolant motion past the block heater element, there is a small flow separation that cause the heat transfer rate to decrease and the element overheats locally and fails. Even if the thermostat is closed, there is some by-pass flow around the thermostat that can cause this to happen. That's why most block heater manufacturers recommend unplugging the heater before you start the engine.

 

[nyone]

That's what I do too, I'll throw an old blanket over the hood to help keep the heat in. No easy way to keep it in place under the pan, but inside the engine compartment does the trick. Obviously not as good as an actual block heater, but it does help on cold mornings.

I'd bought one of those magnetic heaters, then discovered that the pan was aluminum, pot metal or something else that was non-ferrous.

They do make stick on engine heaters and are quite a bit cheaper than the magnetic ones.

 

[Rockbadchild]

every vehicle in canada has a block heather… but ether way it happens when any engine is running cold so one could argue that starting the engine with the oil already warm up reduce the overall water generated quicker … you could also get a antifreeze heather so tho whole block stay warm …

 

[Billrog]

-18 wind blowing snow right at my tractor under cover. Couldn't believe my eyes this morning when the snow was melted on the hood from my circulating heater.

 

[Billrog]

Btw it had been on 2 hrs.

 

[grsthegreat]

i built my lean to onto my shop so my tractor didnt have to sit out in the weather. actually, the sun beating down on it might be worse than the snow and cold. i still use a block heatrer, but i use 3 silicon pads. 2 on engine oil housing ( driveshaft splits housing) and one on hydraulic storage tank carried on 3 point hitch for snowblower. these pads are set on wall timer, which i engage on days when snow is expected. it runs for a few hours in the morning so its nice and warm prior to use.