How long does an engine coolant heater need to be plugged in?

[Bill_B]

Variables such as ambient temperature and shelter make a lot of difference in required time. Heater in lower hose only works when there isn't a t-stat at upper hose blocking circulation. Water warms as it expands pushing colder coolant in engine out to be replaced by warmer coolant. Not the best system but better than nothing. 2 hours isn't long enough for most heaters. Timer coming on hours in advance helps for early am start ups.

Good info thanks

 

[Bill_B]

The block heaters I have used had a sweet spot of 3 hours on time to raise the block temp to around 40 degrees f over ambient.
Less time and the block was not uniformly warm, more time didn't raise the temp any more.

Good to know. I definitely don't want to try to heat the outdoors when it is -15 outside. I just want to heat long enough so the tractor will start.

 

[Bill_B]

We always plugged ours in the night before I plan using them. The wattage they use isn’t even noticeable on the electric bill and figured that little bit of electricity won’t buy many parts.

Oh really? I always figured it used quite a bit of electricity to heat the engine when it was below zero out.

 

[Bill_B]

My tractor with a Mitsubish 4L 1.5 liter engine needs over an hour to start well in 20 degree F weather. About half that at 30 degrees.

Below zero? Why? ;-)

Why? Because I live in Maine and I don't have a garage it will fit in unfortunately

 

[Oaktree]

My tractor with a Mitsubish 4L 1.5 liter engine needs over an hour to start well in 20 degree F weather. About half that at 30 degrees.

Below zero? Why? ;-)

About all I use my tractor for in the winter is plowing snow, and for the most part we don't get snowstorms (or at least much accumulation) when it's that cold. I'd imagine those who need it for farm chores don't have much choice.

I'll just put a 100W droplight under the hood if temperatures are going to get below 20 or so, above that it'll start up with just a couple glow plug cycles.
Anyone have experience with the heat pads that go on the bottom of the oil pan? I've read VERY mixed reviews.

 

[RustyA]

I had a Montana 5740 that I installed two frost plug heaters in and neither would work. Installed the epoxy oil pan heater pad plus a battery warming blanket wired together. That was 10 years ago and present owner still uses it every day for horse chores in winter.

 

[oldnslo]

Oh really? I always figured it used quite a bit of electricity to heat the engine when it was below zero out.

Block heaters typically are 450 - 600 watts for smaller tractors so not a large power draw.

 

[Egon]

I had one of the engine heaters that gets cut into the radiator hose. I would plug it in and hour or two before I wanted to start the tractor and it didn't seem to help at all. Did I need to leave it plugged in longer? Like over night? Was it a junk heater? Do they not really work below O degrees? Should I have had a battery heater?

Some of the in-line heaters need to be installed in a certain orientation to work.

 

[5030]

I've never plugged either of my Kubota's in not that I could as no electricity in the barn anyway. I just make sure the starting batteries are topped off and use the glow plugs and crank them up.

 

[Agvg]

I had one of the engine heaters that gets cut into the radiator hose. I would plug it in and hour or two before I wanted to start the tractor and it didn't seem to help at all. Did I need to leave it plugged in longer? Like over night? Was it a junk heater? Do they not really work below O degrees? Should I have had a battery heater?

Those heaters work well but it must be mounted correctly, warm water rises so it must be mounted so the water goes into the engine block, if it's not properly mounted much or all heat goes into the radiator and the heater has no effect.