Block Heater Install

[JeepinMaxx]

My wife surprised me today with an early birthday present!

She probably remembered a discussion a month ago! She added a remote control outlet so I can turn it on from the house...

She conspired with my brother in law who works the parts counter Kahns Kubota in CT and hooked me up with a block heater!

Do I need to drain all the coolant to install it? Do I need special tools/sockets to install it?

 

[Dave_eng]

My wife surprised me today with an early birthday present!

She probably remembered a discussion a month ago! She added a remote control outlet so I can turn it on from the house...

She conspired with my brother in law who works the parts counter Kahns Kubota in CT and hooked me up with a block heater!

Do I need to drain all the coolant to install it? Do I need special tools/sockets to install it?

Leave the rad cap in place. Be prepared to work quickly and a minimal amount of coolant will be lost.

On some models of newer tractors, when a block heater is installed the GP controller needs to be re-programmed. The GP controller sees a warm block and keeps the GP on time to a minimum. However, when you crank the engine it is inhaling very cold air and you can have starting problems.

The GP controller on some newer models can be programmed to use a different temp sensor to control the GP on time.

I think the orange electrical connector will unplug from the actual heater allowing you to use a socket to tighten it. Your plug in the block may need a large Allen wrench. You can make your own using a bolt whose head just fits into the plug. Lock two nuts together on the bolt threads so you have something to turn.

Dave

 

[NoBiffBetter]

My wife surprised me today with an early birthday present!

She probably remembered a discussion a month ago! She added a remote control outlet so I can turn it on from the house...



She conspired with my brother in law who works the parts counter Kahns Kubota in CT and hooked me up with a block heater!



Do I need to drain all the coolant to install it? Do I need special tools/sockets to install it?

Congrats man! Your going to love it. I bought my block heater when I bought my loader, I was going to install it and the installed it for me which was super nice of them.

It is pretty darn easy to install but you gotta make sure that your block heater is the right one, my BX has press-in style freeze plug on the engine block, for mine you just take a chisel and a hammer and give one of the edges of the freeze plug a nice firm tap which will spin the freeze plug sideways.. you then will loose some of the coolant than is in the engine block so it will get a little messy but not too bad, then you just grab some pliers and pull the freeze plug out the rest of the way.

Once you have done this you tap in the new freeze plug housing into the engine block as it is “pressed style” you can use a socket over the housing to tap on so that you can insure it goes in straight and flush.. once the housing is pressed into the block then all you gotta do is put some pipe dope or pipe thread tape on the threads of the block warmer and thread it into the housing.

That’s it your done!

Now with the block warmer you have yours looks to be fully threaded.. as in both the block heater and the housing for it are threaded.. if this is the case then you have to look at your engine block and see if you have a “threaded style” freeze plug.. if you do then you just need to un-thread the freeze plug which is usually done with a large Allen key socket or something similar and remove the plug, once you remove the plug you will pipe dope/pipe tape both the housing threads and block warmer threads and just thread the housing in and then thread the block heater into the housing and your done!

Once your done with one of these procedures you will just top off the engine coolant.. leave the revisor a little on the high side to account for the air in the engine block.. run the engine and get it warm/hot and monitor your engine coolant and temperature.. once it gets up to operating temp the coolant revisor should drop telling you that your block is now once again full of coolant and you will be ready to go.

I know of a few good YouTube videos I will find them for you.


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[NoBiffBetter]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3vo1qBPi3wk

This is a fully threaded freeze plug style.. if this is how your engine block is then your block heater is correct. If it just looks like a plug with no threads then you will have to return that one and get yourself a press-in style block heater.. you might be able to just buy the press-in housing from Kubota as well and then just thread your block heater into that cuz the housing is really the only difference “I assume”

There are plenty of other how to videos online let me know if this helps I can find you a few more if need be.

Enjoy your block heater! I know I love mine! I leave mine in for 2-4 hours and litterally the whole top of the hood on my bx is super warm to the touch because of all the heat coming off the coolant through the radiator and to the hood lol. Block stays nice and warm too as you would expect.

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[NoBiffBetter]

P.S- what outlet do you have there in your picture? I planned on buying a thermostatic outlet for mine so that I don’t have to worry about forgetting to plug it in when it’s cold and forgetting to unplug it when it’s warm..

I know there is one called a “farm cube” or something like that. I hear it works good. Is the one you have pictured a thermostatic outlet? If so what brand?


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[JeepinMaxx]

P.S- what outlet do you have there in your picture? I planned on buying a thermostatic outlet for mine so that I don’t have to worry about forgetting to plug it in when it’s cold and forgetting to unplug it when it’s warm..

My outlet is a RF unit that works on a X10 module and switches that I use for all my out building lights.

Here's the link

https://www.x10.com/x10-home-automation.html

 

[Jchonline]

Man that X10 stuff is super old, I had no idea they were still in business! One of the first home automation companies.

I am betting you got the early present so you have no more excuses to not keep the driveway plowed of snow!

 

[JeepinMaxx]

Man that X10 stuff is super old, I had no idea they were still in business! One of the first home automation companies.

I am betting you got the early present so you have no more excuses to not keep the driveway plowed of snow!

you are probably right about the snow!

I started using the X10 stuff in the 1990s to turn on the outside lights from the out buildings which are over 100ft from the house. Nice to turn them on from the house instead of walking out there! Plus if I hear anything out there - I can hit one button and all the lights come on at the same time!

 

[JeepinMaxx]

Did the installation today. I'm pretty pleased how it went

Plugged it in after dark for about 40 minutes. Took my infrared temp gun to see how it was working. Top of the valve cover was 118 degrees. Engine block was 90 degrees (measured on the opposite side of the engine as the heater). Oil filter was 58 degrees. Granted it wasn't that cold (around 30 degrees ambient) But I was very pleased. Temp gauge on the dash was at 1/4 when I turned the key and was up to operating temp after 5 minutes of idle.

 

[rjcorazza]

40 over ambient is what I’ve measured on several installs. 3-4 hours of on time seems to be the sweet spot for my stuff.


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[JeepinMaxx]

Today was a good test. 16F degrees out, 3 hours plugged in...

I'm pretty happy with the results using the block heater

 

[200mph]

If you have another opportunity to measure the temperature, could you measure on both sides of the block. I'm guessing it is fairy warm near the heater, but the temperature degrades as the distance increases.

Installed a heater on the B3030 last year and noticed it was warm within 6" of heater but felt much cooler, especially on the opposite corner of the block. Didn't have a thermal device to quantify the temperature delta.

 

[JeepinMaxx]

If you have another opportunity to measure the temperature, could you measure on both sides of the block. I'm guessing it is fairy warm near the heater, but the temperature degrades as the distance increases.

Installed a heater on the B3030 last year and noticed it was warm within 6" of heater but felt much cooler, especially on the opposite corner of the block. Didn't have a thermal device to quantify the temperature delta.

That measurement was the top of the valve cover

 

[RCW]

I didn't realize those block heaters got that hot...like 200 said, wonder if across the engine, but wow!

I'd be happy with 60...and that 103F was valve cover?

 

[JeepinMaxx]

I didn't realize those block heaters got that hot...like 200 said, wonder if across the engine, but wow!

I'd be happy with 60...and that 103F was valve cover?

Yes - valve cover. My 1st test a few weeks ago was at 32 degrees outside and the valve cover was 118 degrees...

 

[03marauderman]

Bought new BX 23S in September...it now has 5.3 hours....I'm a big fan of engine block heaters, even though I keep my tractor stored indoors, in an unheated garage, however my test water bottle has never froze up....Now I have a 2 part concern...1 Hard starting, and secondly thick oil in the crankcase. I went back to the dealer spoke to the salesman & field tech....Both recommended that a block heater is of little value when it comes to hard starting.... Then there was a big discussion about fuel gel,& condensation, bad filters and a whole host of hard starting reasons. Also I should use a Mr. Funnel. It was recommended that I use a battery tender and cycle the starting process twice.??? - WTF ? My tractor has 5.3 hours, the fuel gauge is still on full the fuel the dealer put in....Its brand new, so all that BS about condensation has no bearing on my issue. I realize this isn't the thread about hard starting but wanted some input if a warm engine from the block heater is beneficial at startup.....My guess is yes, but is the battery tender and a couple cycle attempts necessary?? This starting issue is one of several disappointments with Kubota....I really thought Kubota was on top of their game....

 

[sheepfarmer]

Bought new BX 23S in September...it now has 5.3 hours....I'm a big fan of engine block heaters, even though I keep my tractor stored indoors, in an unheated garage, however my test water bottle has never froze up....Now I have a 2 part concern...1 Hard starting, and secondly thick oil in the crankcase. I went back to the dealer spoke to the salesman & field tech....Both recommended that a block heater is of little value when it comes to hard starting.... Then there was a big discussion about fuel gel,& condensation, bad filters and a whole host of hard starting reasons. Also I should use a Mr. Funnel. It was recommended that I use a battery tender and cycle the starting process twice.??? - WTF ? My tractor has 5.3 hours, the fuel gauge is still on full the fuel the dealer put in....Its brand new, so all that BS about condensation has no bearing on my issue. I realize this isn't the thread about hard starting but wanted some input if a warm engine from the block heater is beneficial at startup.....My guess is yes, but is the battery tender and a couple cycle attempts necessary?? This starting issue is one of several disappointments with Kubota....I really thought Kubota was on top of their game....

A couple of comments, may not bear directly on the issue of hard starting, but important. What they were trying to tell you about condensation is if you are still running on the same fuel as when you got it, the tank is probably pretty empty (never mind what the fuel gauge says), and condensation occurs inside the tank above the fuel level line when the temperature and humidity levels fluctuate. Further, if it is the same fuel as when you got it, it is summer diesel, which will gel at low temperatures. You can add an anti gel fuel treatment to your tank to treat that fuel, and future fill ups from a local service station should have winter diesel, which will not gel at expected temperatures. A Mr Funnel will help to remove water from your supply source tanks.

 

[03marauderman]

Actually the tank is quite full and the gauge is accurate....I strongly feel the issues I'm experiencing is not the result of fuel neglect....I mean a brand new tractor should be at its optimum when it comes to starting in the cold...I do give some creditability to the fact that there isn't winter treated fuel in the tank....I'll drain the tank and replace it with fresh fuel from 'Pilot' through a Mr. Funnel.....

 

[rjcorazza]

I’m not sure what we are actually discussing here, so I will just state 3 things:
Block heaters make starting in cold weather easier.
Depending on ambient temps, summer fuel can be problematic.
Lastly, I recall seeing a YouTube video on BX cold weather starting problems that were the result of the operator not properly activating the glow plugs.
Not saying this is the case, but you may want to search YouTube for “Specialty Repairs” and review the video.

Good luck... hope you get things straightened out.


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[85Hokie]

Bought new BX 23S in September...it now has 5.3 hours....I'm a big fan of engine block heaters, even though I keep my tractor stored indoors, in an unheated garage, however my test water bottle has never froze up....Now I have a 2 part concern...1 Hard starting, and secondly thick oil in the crankcase. I went back to the dealer spoke to the salesman & field tech....Both recommended that a block heater is of little value when it comes to hard starting.... Then there was a big discussion about fuel gel,& condensation, bad filters and a whole host of hard starting reasons. Also I should use a Mr. Funnel. It was recommended that I use a battery tender and cycle the starting process twice.??? - WTF ? My tractor has 5.3 hours, the fuel gauge is still on full the fuel the dealer put in....Its brand new, so all that BS about condensation has no bearing on my issue. I realize this isn't the thread about hard starting but wanted some input if a warm engine from the block heater is beneficial at startup.....My guess is yes, but is the battery tender and a couple cycle attempts necessary?? This starting issue is one of several disappointments with Kubota....I really thought Kubota was on top of their game....

As others have said ......
hot engine will start easier ....period!!! SO a block heater that is heating the water, and the hot water is moving via convection will cause the entire engine to be warm and thus an easier start

a strong battery is a must - a maintainer is a great idea ....

an oil that has a 5 in front ....as in 5w-40 will make life a lot better on the turning of the engine....

Personally - I would glow the plugs for a good 20 seconds.....maybe even 30 and see what happens, a good warm/hot combustion chamber makes the diesel ignite far better than a cold/cooler one.