How to remove plug to install 2720 engine block heater?

[jgayman]

I purchased a JD block heater for my 2720 (AR87167) and was all set to install it today. I had read various posts about the plug being tight. I removed the return hose from the hydro pump to give me some more room. Unfortunately I could not get the plug to budge. I tried using a 18" 1/2 breaker bar with some "helper pipe". I used a 10" extension to allow more clearance around the hydro pump. I had plenty of torque on the handle but unfortunately the extension just twisted and eventually broke - meanwhile the engine plug did not budge!

What's the secret to getting the plug out? I certainly don't want to damage the engine block.

Should I get an adapter for my 3/4" breaker bar and go at it again or would I be better off trying to use an air impact gun?

The JD part came with no instructions.

Ironically, if you following the instructions in the owners manual for servicing the engine, the documented procedure for changing coolant is to 1st drain the radiator and then remove the block plug and drain the block. Say what? Given how difficult it is to get out I'm questioning how many owners (or dealers) bother to remove the plug during a coolant change.

 

[Mechanos]

When I put the block heater in mine, I tried using a breaker bar and extension like you did. I also twisted the extension in two. I ended up removing the exhaust pipe (different tractor... same engine) to get better access to the plug and used my impact to remove the plug. The impact walked it right out.

 

[JD 4520]

Sounds like there could be lock tight on the plug. That's a lot of pressure for not budging it at all. I don't think an impact wrench would budge it. Try a 3/4" drive but I would be careful. Normally to break lock tight you need to use heat. Probably not a good location for heat.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Sounds like impact or heat is your best bet, at the very least try to remove it when the engine is hot.

 

[pedalstomper78]

On stuff like that, I typically don't like to use an impact. Seems like that has a tendency to break stuff. I would suggest some heat and I would try it in the simplest form first as to avoid paint damage etc. Get the tractor up to normal operating temperature, then use a small spray bottle of water to spray just the plug. I've actually had better luck with this than you think. It'll still take some "ooopmh" to get it out.....but it should budge.

 

[Katahdin]

I recently got my block heater plug loose on my Yanmar 4tnv88, I think you have the 3 cylinder version of this block. What worked for me was heating the plug with a propane torch for a minute or so, then hit it with a 1/2 inch air impact wrench using short bursts. Good luck!

 

[megaboz]

While some people may not like the impact wrench idea, in my opinion, slowing wrenching on it could do more damage.

However either way has its risk.

 

[Katahdin]

Thread locker, or some other pipe dope, was definitely used on the plug of my Yanmar engine. So the risk should be minimized by applying heat to soften the adhesive before applying torque. It was pretty easy to get a small propane torch in there, on my plug anyway.