Putting block heater in 4310.....questions

[4310]

I called them today and they said it most likely will fit, but if not just return it and the only thing that I will be out is shipping, so I ordered it.

Now....what do you recommend that I put on the threads? I've got Teflon plumbers tape and have read where folks have used that but I've also read that I should use something else. A paste or liquid or something.

I'm not familiar with the paste and have no idea what I should be looking for.

I also ordered a new "suction manifold". A fellow on the other tractor site advised that those can go bad and start sucking in air creating problems. It was only $19 from the dealer and mine is getting some decent cracks in it.

I'll keep you posted

 

[beenthere]

As it is water, and not hyd. fluid, use either the teflon or the paste. Use paste if for hydraulic fitting as the teflon may peel off and get into the system... so they say.

 

[Katahdin]

Yeah, I agree it will likely fit, my engine wasn't listed either. Use teflon tape, that's what I did. Sounds like you have all the tools you need, the impact wrench will definitely make the job easier!

 

[mfreund]

I am following along. Never had my 4310 not start, but block heater would make it easier.

 

[4310]

Well I got it done today, put in the block heater and put on a new suction manifold thing.

I ordered this heater ZeroStart - 310-0003 - Freeze Plug Engine Heater , 400W 120V and it fit fine and the price was cheaper than getting it from JD. Shipping was $13. Thanks for the link Katahdin!!

The first thing I did was drain the antifreeze from the radiator and the block. Then I took off the rubber suction manifold. It came off without even hardly trying. For the most part it is empty of hydraulic fluid when the tractor is turned off. I think maybe I lost a few tablespoons full. There was a spring inside of mine which I was not anticipating. It appears to be used to keep the rubber collapsing on itself. If you look at the picture, the spring will go up into the manifold and make a 90 degree turn and set in the long part of it. I got it out without any tools, I used a screw driver to make the bend when I put it into the new one. You'll figure it out.
Here's a pic of the old manifold:


Next I took the plug out of the engine block. I was anticipating the worst, my tractor is 10 years old and has 2000 hours, but I had no trouble at all. I used a 2 foot breaker bar and a 6 inch 1/2" drive extension. The 1/2" drive fits right into the plug. I had my propane torch and cheater pipe at the ready but I thought that I would try with just the breaker bar first. I used medium force and heard the plug make a little crack sound telling me that it had broke loose. I did loosen up and lower the gold colored hydraulic line keepers to give me a little more room.
Here's the plug:


Next I put teflon tape on the block heater. The heater is even made in the USA!! Bonus


I put the heater in the hole and tightened it up as much as I could with a channel lock wrench. I had to hold the wrench perpendicular to the bolt part of the heater because there is no room to work. A socket won't work because of the hydraulic lines being in the way. I drove it around the yard when I finished and it's not leaking but I would like to get it about a half turn tighter. I think a crow foot wrench (which I don't have yet) should be able to get in there and allow me to get some leverage.
Heater installed:


and here's the finished project:


I won't know how well it works until winter but I did plug it in for about ten minutes and it got too hot to touch. I found this out when I touched it.

From start to finish it took me about an hour.

 

[beenthere]

:thumbsup:

Thanks for the detail and the good pics.

 

[Henri88]

If it works like mine it will start just like summer time. Good job! :drink:

 

[Katahdin]

Glad it went well, I love it when a plan comes together! You are the first and only person I've read about that said the plug came out easily with just hand tools. :thumbsup:

As far was winter cold starting is concerned, you shouldn't need to plug in the ZeroStart heater for much longer than it takes to drink a couple cups of coffee. It heats up the block pretty quickly, kudos to Yanmar for giving us a threaded port to install a block heater.

 

[Mechanos]

I have a 3TNE88 in my 955. It uses the same block heater and I also went with the ZeroStart heater. Depending on how cold it is and how cold soaked the engine is, it usually takes 20 to 30 minutes to warm the block enough for the engine to fire.