Installation Help

[RFB]

I am looking for any recommendations or counsel regarding the installation of a block heater on my Kubota L5030.

The one page of instructions that came with the kit says that I must remove the hydraulic pump to install the block heater.

It also requires driving a steel sleeve into the block using "Locktite" (but does not specify what type, which makes me wonder if they mean something like Permatex sealant). The steel sleeve has a smooth outside diameter (where it looks like a friction/interference fit into the block), and the inside diameter is threaded to receive the actual heater element (which requires "teflon tape" type of thread seal).

The final caveat in the instructions is (after driving the sleeve in with a mallet) to ensure that you have not punctured the cylinder sleeve of the block.

That warning set my brain on fire.

Have any of you done this job?

 

[Soundguy]

Hmm.. I think I'd get a lower hose heater if kubota didn't have a standard expansion plug heater.

soundguy

 

[RFB]

SG,

This is Kubota's "standard" expansion plug heater kit. The verbiage about having to remove the hydraulic pump and the warning about damaging the cylinder liner is what has me a little nervous.

 

[Soundguy]

i'd still use a different one!~

soundguy

 

[Chilly807]

Mine has the same type of heater installed. I got the dealer to install mine before it was delivered. If you're mechanically inclined, take your time and watch what you're doing, it shouldn't be too bad. Getting the frost plug out will probably be the worst part of the job. When you install the sleeve, let the sealant cure for 24 hours or so (follow directions) before you add coolant again. I'd say the sleeve is the same OD as the frost plug it replaces (light press fit in block), so any sealant that will withstand heat and anti-freeze should work. The Loctite isn't so much to fix the heater in place as it is to prevent leaks. If you use Loctite, 518 will probably be your best bet, some of their pipe thread sealants will work too. #1 or #2 Permatex would likely be fine as well..

If you have doubts, either take it to a dealer and let them do it, or get a service call and do the job on-site. Either way it'll not be cheap, but at least they wear the results if it gets screwed up.

A lower rad hose heater is dead easy to install, just be sure you get the type that circulates the coolant, otherwise you'll have a hot section of rad hose and that's about it.

If you want I can take a pic of my installation, but from the sounds of it mine is in a different location, near the bottom of the block on the left side of the engine.

You don't want the heater touching or very close to the cylinder wall, it will stress it, and give localized heating to the spot it touches. Once you have the frost plug out and can eyeball the spot, you'll either say "This isn't so bad after all", or you'll say "Hmm, it IS going to be close, I'd best pay attention to what I'm doing.."

Sean