Looks like my block heater crapped the bed…

[Mowbizz]

Confirmed this morning. Got my hand on it after being plugged in for 15 minutes and it was cold. Given it’s already installed, how hard is it to swap with a new one? This and the last two me were dealer installed…first one and new and this one some years later when BX was in for service. This is a BX25dlb.Does the heater unscrew from the part on the block or does the wired unit unscrew from that part?
Going to the dealer now anyways so I will find out hopefully

 

[Mowbizz]

No replies! Thanks!
I found out what needs to be done so I’m good to go.

 

[Lil Foot]

Don't have a block heater installed so I could offer no insight.
I imagine there are others with nothing to contribute.
And you only gave it less than 3 hrs.
Most people are at work now.

 

[Mowbizz]

Ha! No one works anymore!

 

[Henro]

No replies! Thanks!
I found out what needs to be done so I’m good to go.

Why not share what you found out, to help the next guy who has the same question?

 

[ve9aa]

Could it be the AC cord (one or more open wires)?
Did you measure the DC resistance of the heater element and confirm it's blown open?
Shall we ask more questions and also receive a sarcastic "no reply" <TIC>

 

[DustyRusty]

The one on my old BX22 was screwed in and took a 22MM socket if I remember correctly to install it. The one on my BX23S is a press fit, and all it takes is a hammer and a drift pin to install it. Never had one fail so I never had to replace one. The only reason that I could think of it failing is that the coolant level was low, and the heat couldn't be dissipated.

 

[Mowbizz]

Could it be the AC cord (one or more open wires)?
Did you measure the DC resistance of the heater element and confirm it's blown open?
Shall we ask more questions and also receive a sarcastic "no reply" <TIC>

I bought a new block heater kit and tried the new AC cord into the element…no go. Without checking the DC resistance I’m assuming it’s open. Do you happen to know what the reading should be? Just no continuity? I can put a meter across the element pins but have not yet. I can also put a meter on the brand new one and see what that reads.

 

[Mowbizz]

The one on my old BX22 was screwed in and took a 22MM socket if I remember correctly to install it. The one on my BX23S is a press fit, and all it takes is a hammer and a drift pin to install it. Never had one fail so I never had to replace one. The only reason that I could think of it failing is that the coolant level was low, and the heat couldn't be dissipated.

This one is pressed in as well. Not a job a I want to tackle during the winter as it entails draining the coolant and because I have the snowblower attached, I can’t remove the cowling…not much room to work with the cowling in place. I just spread the side out enough to get a hand in there to unplug the AC pigtail. When The blower comes off in the spring, I’ll tackle the element change.

 

[Flintknapper]

I bought a new block heater kit and tried the new AC cord into the element…no go. Without checking the DC resistance I’m assuming it’s open. Do you happen to know what the reading should be? Just no continuity? I can put a meter across the element pins but have not yet. I can also put a meter on the brand new one and see what that reads.

Just check for continuity. IF there is none then the element is 'open' (burned out) just like a water heater element.

 

[mcmxi]

I had the block heater fail on my BX25D at 94 hours. I was leaving it plugged in and on (during the winter months) when I wasn't using the tractor. The local dealer gave me a new one at no cost since it was covered under warranty and I installed it myself.

Here's the entry I made in the maintenance spreadsheet. Notice the resistance across the terminals.

 

[mcmxi]

I bought a new block heater kit and tried the new AC cord into the element…no go. Without checking the DC resistance I’m assuming it’s open. Do you happen to know what the reading should be? Just no continuity? I can put a meter across the element pins but have not yet. I can also put a meter on the brand new one and see what that reads.

See my post above. Should be 30 ohms across the element terminals.

 

[Mowbizz]

See my post above. Should be 30 ohms across the element terminals.

I will check that tomorrow…thanks!

 

[BX'r]

I went through two and then added a timer for the third block heater . It will heat up for twenty minutes then turn off for five and then cycle again.
The small space in the block doesn't contain enough water to prevent the heater from burning out.

 

[BAP]

No replies! Thanks!
I found out what needs to be done so I’m good to go.

What’s the rush if you aren’t even going to fix it this winter? Snowblower is easy to take off and put back on.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: what resistance ?
how to calculate...

take 400 watts / 120 volts = 3.3333333333333333 amps
then 120v / 3.3 amps = 36 ohms

So somewhere between 30 to 40 ohms would be 'normal'
No one has exactly 120 volt AC power, it actually varies a lot.

If you have a 'Kill-A-Watt' energy meter, you can measure the actual current being used. If it's zero...heater is busted.... 3-4 amps it's working.

 

[Mowbizz]

What’s the rush if you aren’t even going to fix it this winter? Snowblower is easy to take off and put back on.

I didn’t know at the time that it was going to be more of a job than I wanted to tackle in the cold. Maybe taking off the snowblower and quick hitch is easy for you but for me it’s not. Bad knees and hips and arthritis in my hands make it a chore that is not happily anticipated. Your mileage may vary.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

One possible option...
... add a lower rad hose style heater ?
I have no idea what 'access' you have,or how easy ,just thinking about options.

 

[Mowbizz]

One possible option...
... add a lower rad hose style heater ?
I have no idea what 'access' you have,or how easy ,just thinking about options.

Already bought the replacement heater. A nice easy job for better weather! Thanks!

 

[cmmguy]

Some engine heaters are thermostatically controlled. Not sure if this one is or not.