TC25D Block Heater

[MikePA]

I just bought a block heater for my TC25D. (see attached) It's about 1.5" in diameter.

Have any of you installed one of these? If so, can you offer any tips for removing the freeze plug and getting this installed?

Harbor Freight has a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=43413>freeze plug removal/installation kit</A>. Do I need one of these?

 

[Steve_in_Ont]

I have a TC21D, and just puchased an oil pan heater. There are two reasons why I purchased this heater type:

1. Ease of installation - No freeze plug removal. Just silicone it to the bottom of the oil pan.
2. It heats what really counts... the oil. Coolant is OK to heat, but warm oil allows the engine to be correctly lubricated right at the initial start.

Is this heater type perfect? No... optimally it should be matched with an in-line coolant heater that heats and circulates the coolant... However, I wanted to avoid that complexity, and the tractor is kept in a semi-heated garage.

Back to freeze plug heaters... You'll need to drain out the coolant... Plug removal tools are nice, but not required. A sharp punch works just as well, just drive it through the center of the old plug and pry the plug out. Be certain that you do not drive it in too deeply, or leave any material in the water jacket from the punch going through the plug.

A small amount of some kind of high temp silicone, wiped on the outer part of the heater plug, would help to insure no coolant leaks in the future.

Good luck.

 

[MikePA]

Where did you get the oil pan heater?

 

[RickB]

I have to disagree with Steve on plug removal. I use a blunt punch near the edge of the frostplug. Drive one side of the plug in, the other side will rotate out. Rotate it 90 degrees and grab the plug with needle nose pliers or ViseGrips, pull it free of the block. Punching the center of the plug risks driving the plug into the water jacket before a hole is formed in the center of the plug. Be sure to clean the edge of the hole completely to bare metal before installing the heater.

 

[MikePA]

Or drill a 17/64" hole in the center and use a frost plug puller?

 

[bgott]

A slide hammer dent puller works, too.

 

[Rowski]

Be careful not to tighten the bolt on the plug to tight. The torque spec is in the very low inch pound range. Tightening it to tight will tear the o-ring under the head of the bolt. I like to use a dent puller or something like it. I like to drill my holes near the edge or lip on the freeze plug, it gives the screw more metal to hold on to. But be very careful drilling next to the edge, not to score the bore or your heater may not seal.

 

[Mosey]

I disagree with the oil pan heater being better. It only heats the oil in the pan. The block heater you are installing will heat the entire block, which will heat the oil on the cylinder walls, camshaft, etc. The best setup would be both. I don't care for the coolant heaters that go inline in the radiator hose, since they don't heat the block as well as the type you are installing. I have in inline in my pickup and I'm not impressed with it. Also, I agree that hitting the side of the freeze plug will turn it sideways so you can pull it out. Good luck. My Boomer came with one installed and it works great!