RX7320 problems @7 hrs on the meter

[xcgreene]

There pressed into the block, nothing new or different from many other block heaters. Sounds as if the dealer didn’t get it pressed in correctly, I can understand your frustration, hope they get you going quickly.

x2 on this. Nothing unusual to see block heaters use a freeze plug hole without threads.

 

[THEPARTYHOUND]

The mechanic showed up and put the block heater back in. It had red locktite applied to the threaded adapter which was then tapped into the frost plug hole with a hammer and socket. He said that this did not used to be a problem but there have been several of these coming out lately. His thought was that the insert that was tapped into the freeze plug hole was being manufactured differently in the last 6 months and does not have as tight of a press fit as it should.
If this would have happened during warm weather, I would have had no idea at all. My temp gauge, while it wasn't between the 2 dots that indicate ideal temp, it never left the "normal" zone. The only indication I had that there was a problem was I lost power, which I suspected was associated with fuel gelling up like it did in the dealership parking lot when I went to test drive it. The only other indication I had was the heater was not putting out heat. If this happens again I'm gonna tell them to come get their tractor and bring my check with them.

 

[atsah]

Maybe you can install a bracket of some kind to make sure it stays put, you shouldn't need to fab things for a new tractor but "not the correct size for the freeze plug" is kind of crazy..

This is what it should look like IMO.

 

[LouNY]

I wonder if the adapter is getting driven far enough in.
Can you see or feel if it was driven in to the shoulder?
Also, lock-tite has a cure time if the adapter has lock tite applied to it then is driven into place,
it would seem to me that it should have a days cure time before a block heater is screwed into the
threaded portion, especially in a cold engine and location.
Wrenching the heater into the adapter could easily start to loosen it.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have put in a bunch of block heaters. I have NEVER seen one that didn't have a clamp of some sort. An O ring will practically allow the heater to roll out if not held in. Glue, just seems wrong, if you ask me, geven expansion and contraction.

 

[THEPARTYHOUND]

I wonder if the adapter is getting driven far enough in.
Can you see or feel if it was driven in to the shoulder?
Also, lock-tite has a cure time if the adapter has lock tite applied to it then is driven into place,
it would seem to me that it should have a days cure time before a block heater is screwed into the
threaded portion, especially in a cold engine and location.
Wrenching the heater into the adapter could easily start to loosen it.

Yes, I checked that, it was driven in to the shoulder. I wondered about the cure time too. Also, some locktite, (maybe all?) heat is applied to break the locktighted bolt free. I don't know the exact temperature in which that occours, but I would assume that block gets to somewhere around 210* F.

 

[THEPARTYHOUND]

I have put in a bunch of block heaters. I have NEVER seen one that didn't have a clamp of some sort. An O ring will practically allow the heater to roll out if not held in. Glue, just seems wrong, if you ask me, geven expansion and contraction.

I agree, glue does not seem like the answer. Maybe a bandaid in the field, but not a final answer. Locktite gets crisp and brittle when cured and does not seem to allow for much flex during, like you say, expansion and contraction.

 

[wagne223]

I know every one is using the word glue for simplicity sake, however the chemical used to seal metal to metal surfaces in the engine industry is either red locktite or anaerobic sealant.

The only purpose of the chemical is to seal the joint from leaking. It dries hard and has little holding strength.

In the case of freeze plugs, they are press fit. The tight tolerance keeps them in.

It seems to me, that this heater is not a proper press fit in that hole. Could be the heater. Could be the block. As others have mentioned, this is an odd arrangement as most have a retainer of some sort.

The tech mentioned the fit issue on his visit. It is possible he was able to press it in enough for it to hold. It is also possible that it is not tight enough and the sealant is not going to hold it.

As the owner you will need to keep a close eye on it.

My bigger concern is that the engine was run low on coolant.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have to confess. I have worried about the clamp in block heaters holding. Some are pretty junky, and no one needs a hole in their block. If I had, to glue one in, I wouldn't have slept nights.

 

[THEPARTYHOUND]

Maybe you can install a bracket of some kind to make sure it stays put, you shouldn't need to fab things for a new tractor but "not the correct size for the freeze plug" is kind of crazy..

This is what it should look like IMO.

I like that idea much better. I would not be concerned in the slightest about that one coming out.