Kubota V1505 engine ...... Questions about a block heater...Updated.

[Runs With Scissors]

My SIL recently bought a Vermeer S925TX and it has a Kubota V1505 engine in it.

He bought it new and has had it serviced as per the manual.

Yesterday he had a very difficult time getting it to start (wind chills -20'ish) and I suggested that he install a block heater.

(Actually I was amazed that the dealer sold him one "without" a block heater, since we live in MI)

My SIL claims that the dealer told him that they don't make a block heater for that engine and that installing an "after market one" would void his warranty.

Since it's a Kubota engine, does anyone here know if this dealer is "blowing smoke up his skirt" , or is it true that they don't make a block heater for that engine?

 

[lynnmor]

Sounds like blowing smoke to me. Can you install an inline heater in a radiator hose and avoid the hassles? Wind chill means nothing as far as engine starting, only the actual temperature. The wind chill nonsense has been invented to sensationalize the weather reporting industry.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Sounds like blowing smoke to me. Can you install an inline heater in a radiator hose and avoid the hassles? Wind chill means nothing as far as engine starting, only the actual temperature. The wind chill nonsense has been invented to sensationalize the weather reporting industry.

I have never even seen the engine, so I am not sure how it is set up, but I suppose that might be an option.

I think he would prefer a "factory solution", but if one is not available, he will have to make that decision.

I can't find find a part number or a diagram yet, so I am thinking that maybe the Stealer is/might be correct?

 

[DustyRusty]

Engine Heater Kit compatible with KUBOTA V1505
$79.00

https://www.amazon.com/Engine-Heater-Fits-KUBOTA-V1505/dp/B01LXQW72M

 

[Runs With Scissors]

https://www.amazon.com/Engine-Heater-Fits-KUBOTA-V1505/dp/B01LXQW72M

Thanks. I have seen the "generic ones"......

As your message popped up, I just clicked on this.

https://shop.kubotausa.com/oemcatal...717bec46ebf73/heater-block-115v-400w-threaded

Now that I see it on a "kubota web site", the question becomes "Could this actually void the warranty?"

I don't see how.

I mean, below the initial description it states

"B7800HSD V1505-E-D16 RFM-48"

I think the "B7800hsd" is a tractor, but I don't know what the 'E-D16 RFM-48" means though.

 

[DustyRusty]

RFM-48" means Rear Finish Mower 48". I can't see how it could void the warranty, and the dealer is just stupid for not researching the question before making that statement. The only time the engine warranty would be voided is if some gorilla using Teflon tape on the threads of the block heater were to over-tightens the block heater and crack the block. This is why a plumber's dope is used.

#70000-73274 Block Heater
$106.80
2 available at Messicks dot com

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Well,...'technically' adding the block heater is a 'modification' of the unit that was sold and NOT done by the dealer service department. It 'could' be used as an excuse to void the warranty.
heck, some kid got 11 MILLION from Kubota for NOT reading the owner's manual....so I can see a dealer look at ANY excuse to not honor a warranty.....

 

[fried1765]

Sounds like blowing smoke to me. Can you install an inline heater in a radiator hose and avoid the hassles? Wind chill means nothing as far as engine starting, only the actual temperature. The wind chill nonsense has been invented to sensationalize the weather reporting industry.

Yup......
An inanimate object can only get as cold as the actual measured/indicated temperature!
"Wind chill" applies to how rapidly something ( human flesh ) cools off.
The weather guessers do just love to sensationalize, using the term "wind chill".

 

[Daferris]

Yes use pipe dope on the threaded block heaters If I remember right it's 1 3/8 socket to install. The factory plug takes either 17 or 19mm hex (think it's 17 but it's been a few years...).
Just a heads up the factory plug is super tight probably 125 ftlbs +- .
I would not use a in hose heater as that just adds 2 more places for coolant leaks.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Adding a block heater does not void any warranty I've ever seen?

 

[fried1765]

Yes use pipe dope on the threaded block heaters If I remember right it's 1 3/8 socket to install. The factory plug takes either 17 or 19mm hex (think it's 17 but it's been a few years...).
Just a heads up the factory plug is super tight probably 125 ftlbs +- .
I would not use a in hose heater as that just adds 2 more places for coolant leaks.

I have use a few hose heaters......never had a heater hose coolant leak.

 

[acruxksa]

I'm going to make a pretty large stretch here, but here goes.........

V1505 shares nearly identical piston bore, stroke, valve size, main journal diameters, piston diameters, etc....... as the d1105.......but obviously with one more cylinder...........d1305 is a d1105 in almost every respect, but with an increased stroke.

I'm going to suggest that all three blocks are at the very least "similar".

Along these lines, my d1305 equipped lx2610 has 2 dealer installed "block" heaters on it. How and where, I don't know, haven't traced the wiring out yet, but I suspect one heats the engine and one heats either the oil pan, hydraulic fluid, hydraulic pump or hst.

The Magnuson-Moss warranty Act would certainly apply to aftermarket block heaters, regardless of what you're dealership might say.

Lastly, if it's 10f outside with a -20f wind-chill, your tractors engine will never get below 10f. All the wind chill will do is cool it to 10f quicker. How much quicker is hard to say because the engine really isn't open to the wind, but does see increased air movement. That being said, wind chill will also require a little more energy to heat the tractors engine block because of this increased cooling or heat dissipation.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Thanks for the replies, I will pass this info on to him.

I am quite sure that I will have a "block heater" install job added to my "to do " list in the near future.....

 

[GrizBota]

I think this post and poster’s B3030 May have a block heater. I think it has the B1505 engine as well.

B3030 with V1505 Engine which may have a block heater

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I think this post and poster’s B3030 May have a block heater. I think it has the B1505 engine as well.

B3030 with V1505 Engine which may have a block heater

OMG, if I didn't know better I would say that Spamanon was my SIL....hahahaha...

My SIL basically said the same thing and wants a "gas" version of his machine cause he hates dealing with diesels...

 

[GrizBota]

OMG, if I didn't know better I would say that Spamanon was my SIL....hahahaha...

My SIL basically said the same thing and wants a "gas" version of his machine cause he hates dealing with diesels...

Well 8N’s are not very expensive. For a reason. But obviously it will not compare to a modern machine. But it could move snow.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

When you get the block heater installed, also have a battery 'warming' pad put in too !
Batteries lose a LOT of energy when cold( that dreaded r..r...rr..clunk..silence )

Many outdoor timers have 2 spots..one for heater, other for warmer
Not only will the engine start easier, the battery will recharge faster,better so less load on the alternator.

 

[BAP]

Well 8N’s are not very expensive. For a reason. But obviously it will not compare to a modern machine. But it could move snow.

But they last way longer than any Kubota ever built!

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I have confirmed that either my SIL did not understand the dealer, or the dealer is full of it. (or a combo of both...LOL)

This is from the operators manual I found on google.

 

[GrizBota]

But they last way longer than any Kubota ever built!

True that. I’ve got one, it was my only tractor until my L, and I haven’t used it since the L was delivered. It’s about 70 years old.