Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel

[s219]

On my L3200, I hold the glow plugs and count to "5-one-thousand" during mild weather, "10" during cold weather, and "12-15" if it's super cold (coldest I ever remember here is -10F). Always works for me. If I know in advance I will need to start the tractor in super cold weather, I have a little electric space heater (oil in tubing) that I can put under the tractor engine to take the edge off.

 

[ruffdog]

Don't run the engine while the block heater is plugged in? I heard this argument WAY back in the 70's when I was wrenching on medium duty trucks. Most of the trucks had a in-hose heater that also had a electric pump that circulated the warmed coolant throughout the system. The old timers said NOT to run the engine with those type heaters plugged in. They also said the freeze plug type heaters were OK to run the engine when plugged in. I had a freeze plug type in my TC33D and most times would run the engine while plugged in as it heated up. I never had a problem for the 19 years I owned her. Some of the new engines have a dry pocket type heater so the heater only touches metal, not coolant.

 

[fried1765]

I hear ya. About the only thing I use my tractor for in the winter is snow removal, and while temperatures well below zero are not uncommon here, they're rarely accompanied by snowfall. As you say, anything else probably can wait.



Curiously, what's the issue with them? I'd never heard of a pad heater before this thread, but you'd think that while they may not be as efficient as a block heater, the heat would still migrate somewhat thru the pan and block.
I did pick up a magnetic heater a few years ago, haven't used it...never occurred to me that the pan would be aluminum... :ashamed:

I have tried both pad and magnetic heaters, and found them not worthwhile.
Perhaps they would work better in continuous use, on a tractor stored inside a cold building,.... but why bother?

 

[oosik]

YA know - if I had to do it all again and was going to be living in a really cold place. I'd HAVE to have a heated building for the tractor and road vehicle. I've lived in an area that got really BRUTALLY cold. And it sure wasn't Anchorage.

The only place I have ever been that could get colder than Glennallen, Ak - - Fairbanks, AK. Nome, AK gets the wind but not the bitter cold of interior Alaska. We should all thank our lucky stars that we don't have winter conditions like Doofy experiences every winter. About four or five months into the Glennallen winter and you have long forgotten how wonderful last summer was. I found that simply living in Glennallen was a job in and of itself.

 

[RalphVa]

I don't remember for sure, but that's probably what I'm doing wrong, thanks.

Only plug it in about 20 or 30 minutes before you need to start it.

 

[CobyRupert]

During my delivery walk-around on my new Kubota M5660SUHD tractor, my salesman said to never run the engine with the block heater plugged in. He couldn't provide a reason why, just DON'T.

When I use my block heater (hasn't been cold enough yet) I will run the extension through the steering wheel and then down to the heater, that way I'll be sure to unplug the heater and untie the cord from the wheel in order to get up into the seat.

I'm going to Duck Duck Go this one and see what I can dig up.

Here's what I found:

"Do not run your engine while the engine heater is plugged in.

This will create an air bubble around the element which will then cause the element to burn out prematurely."

This was a copy and paste excerpt from a ZeroStart engine heater manual that was mentioned on a forum post.

So what causes the air bubble? Some form of cavitation or turbulence around the heating element when the coolant is flowing by?

Here's another reply from a DirtyMax forum as it pertains to block heaters:

"Leaving your heater plugged in when you start the truck won't hurt the engine. It could, however, hurt the block heater. The water around the heater is really warm, and when you start your pickup the water pump could push a bunch of ice cold water by it. Kind of like throwing hot water on a cold window."

(IMHO) None of these make sense (to me).
Where would an air bubble come from?
The thermal shock (rush of ice cold coolant) explanation could makes the most sense, but if it destroys the block heater, then how long after unplugging it should you wait for heater and surrounding coolant to cool? 2 seconds, 10 seconds, 1 min.?

Maybe there is a good reason not to run heater with engine running...

 

[hube2]

Having trouble to start a diesel at those temps, indicates a problem.
Using the glow plugs for 5 seconds only seems short for me. They don't heat much during that time.
What kind of engine do you have? Kubotas and Yanmar are known for good cold starters.
I wouldn't even bother to think about a heating option at those temps.

My idea of hard starting and someone else's may be completely different.

I didn't really say that it is "hard" to start at those temps, I was comparing the amount/length of of cranking to get it started as well as how smooth the engine felt like it was running after it started. Harder/Easier being relative terms. After running the block heater the engine starts faster and runs smoother sooner than when not running the block heater.

 

[rcio7684]

I agree hube2, it runs better, sooner, when using the block heater.

 

[hube2]

My first tractor and the current tractor both start just fine. Even at -20F. However - I've found a very simple solution. Do I REALLY need to be out there when it's that bloody cold. The tractor starts just fine - there I am sitting on a "frozen" vinyl seat. The tractor will warm up with use - I will get colder as I use the tractor.

I'm retired and "IT" can wait. At least, until the temps get above zero ............

I can agree with you on this. Unfortunately I don't always have the luxury at this point in my life to let it wait. But when I can, I do.

 

[hube2]

.

Any rule of thumb? Under 40 degrees Fahrenheit plug it in? Under 30? 20? 10? Etc etc.

This is my rule of thumb as of now, if I need to put on extra clothing to keep myself warm then I'll be turning on the block heater before I go out. How long I leave it running will vary.