I can't afford the block heater right now, so I'm hoping that I can get her to fire when it decides to get cold here.
Mine has miraculously started for 5 winters, just fine without a block heater. Even when it got really cold. :thumbsup:
GC2410 MF block heater problem
- Thread starter MF RED in MT
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Mine has miraculously started for 5 winters, just fine without a block heater. Even when it got really cold. :thumbsup:
Don't get me wrong, my GC has always started, even without the block heater... it just starts more easily --a lot more easily-- with the block heater. Guess I'm just thinking of less wear & tear on the battery & starter.
After starting it in cold weather, I let it idle for several minutes to warm up the hydraulic fluid.
After starting it in cold weather, I let it idle for several minutes to warm up the hydraulic fluid.
Don87
Elite Member
That's good news, thanks.
As well as longer glow plug times, you will probably find that advancing the throttle lever before cranking, becomes necessary for fast cold weather starts.
I usually set mine up about 20% + or -, depending on how cold it is.
Each one is slightly different.
If your normal routine does not result in it starting, you can slowly advance the throttle while cranking, and note the point that it fires at. If conditions are the same on the next start, begin with that setting.
Once your accustomed to cold weather starting, you will know the right combination to get it to light up, in the same amount of time it always does.
Once it fires, set the throttle to a high idle, and go read the Sunday paper, while the part you actually need to worry about in the cold, the 5 gallons of oil in the trans, warms up.
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rjmack
Platinum Member
i read the part about cycling the block heater and wondered what would happen if it was left plugged in. then i thought about the block being much smaller than the average v8 or cummins diesel, so i left mine plugged in overnight @-12/-14c* it started fairly easy even though the battery struggled but i was surprised to see that the engine temp was already half way up to operating temp.
i have one of those 200w magnetic oil pan heaters but am guessing the transmission is aluminum/non magnetic?
i have one of those 200w magnetic oil pan heaters but am guessing the transmission is aluminum/non magnetic?
Correct, the solution is a self adhesive silicone pad heater, on the bottom of the axle.
Engine oil heater oil pan heater 120v 100watt NEW - eBay (item 180459020000 end time Sep-30-10 11:46:06 PDT)
I think the one I use is 140 watt. Running continuously, it keeps the oil from getting cold.
OP
MF RED in MT
Veteran Member
Update about my old & new block heater, :thumbsup:. Tomorrow, I am shipping the old (bad) block heater back to my MF dealer. When I did the switch out, I also installed new anti-freeze because it is now 1 year old, Happy birthday little MF GC2410, :laughing:. These MF block heaters are priceless when it gets down to minus 25 F. I have found out that about 1 hour is the max needed to heat the tractor enough for a smooth start and idle, :thumbsup:. My tractor did start up without a block heater, but it was sure rough running for a while. I agree with Irving, I believe it saves wear and tear on the engine. Thanks for all the replies, KC
B.T.W. todays high was 8 degrees F.
B.T.W. todays high was 8 degrees F.
Cheap block heater solution:
Go to local big box pet store and buy a heat lamp for reptile cages.
Go to Ace hardware and buy a heat lamp bulb (expensive at the big block store)
Fab up a bracket to support the heat lamp under the tractor oil pan.
Use a lamp timer to turn it on a couple hours before you need to crank up.
I used a gable mount from a gable fan to support the heat lamp. Mine will raise the temp under the hood to 40 on a 20-degree day.
Go to local big box pet store and buy a heat lamp for reptile cages.
Go to Ace hardware and buy a heat lamp bulb (expensive at the big block store)
Fab up a bracket to support the heat lamp under the tractor oil pan.
Use a lamp timer to turn it on a couple hours before you need to crank up.
I used a gable mount from a gable fan to support the heat lamp. Mine will raise the temp under the hood to 40 on a 20-degree day.
You can simply throw a trap over the tractor, and put a small electric heater under it.
People even do this outdoors to thaw frozen fuel lines.
Gio
Silver Member
MY GC wouldn't start this Morning, kept cranking until the Battery gave up. I jumped it, still no luck, checked the fuel filter, etc, no luck.
It was under 20 degrees but i thought she would start. Luckily this happened before our first snow.
Would a block heater help this situation? Are they easy to install?
Gio
It was under 20 degrees but i thought she would start. Luckily this happened before our first snow.
Would a block heater help this situation? Are they easy to install?
Gio