4tnv88 Block Heater

[Katahdin]

I was wondering if anyone had a lead for an engine block heater that fits a Yanmar 4tnv88 engine. I'm looking for the screw-in type to go where the plug is circled in the picture. I know these exist for Yanmars, I just haven't see one marketed to fit the 4tnv88. Thanks!

 

[winston1]

I don't have a definite answer but I believe the ones made for the 3 cylinder Yanmars have 1" npt threads. I know Hoye lists theirs as appx 1-1/4" threads. I also read these plugs can be very difficult to remove and was suggested by one dealer to remove the plug before ordering the heater. My understanding is they have a 1/2" square opening for a breaker bar. If your hole measures appx 1-1/4" I suspect it would fit. Proceed with caution!

 

[Katahdin]

Yep, the plug was wound in there pretty good. I ended up putting about a minutes worth of propane heat on the plug then tapped it with short bursts from a 1/2" air impact wrench until I saw the plug move. I was then able to easily back the plug off half a turn with a 25" breaker bar, and it does indeed appear to be 1.25 inch plug. Now to get a heater ordered, thanks for the info!

 

[chriswheeler]

Google a Co. called Kim Hotstart. They make most of the block heaters that almost all of the OEM folks use. Of course they do have the plug type screw in block heater for Yanmar.
Chris

 

[Car Doc]

I put a Kats freeze plug heater in my 3t84t part number K4NB. I have a thread around here on it from a couple years ago. It was I believe a 30mm but really dont remember that well but its 1500 watt fwtw and it works great they may have a screw in also if you figure out the thread pitch/dia etc. hth

fwtw I see your new tractor has a Nippondenso starter and alternator they are at the top in quality parts anywhere glad to see Yanmar is using them it really doesnt suprise me though. :thumbsup:

 

[Katahdin]

Finally got it done, it was actually a 1 inch NPT plug. The plug measured about 1.29" while still threaded into the block using my calipers, so that threw me off a little, but that's about what the outer diameter of 1 inch pipe is (1.315 to be exact).

I never did find a block heater maker that listed the 4TNV88 engine, but I looked at the Zero Start catalog and saw that their #3100003 model fit both 3 and other 4 cylinder Yanmar engines so I took a gamble that was it. #3100003 fit perfectly and I only lost about 8 ounces of coolant when making the swap as I didn't want to bother with draining the block.



Car Doc, a belated thank you for the insight on the parts Yanmar is using, I do enjoy learning about this machine.

 

[Car Doc]

Welcome and that looks perfect fit on that engine you will really like it when the temp gets low! :thumbsup:

fwtw That starter can be "rebuilt" with a starter solenoid contact kit from Napa part# 655-1143 it will contain more parts than you need but @ $11 aprox it is a cheap rebuild. One contact in the starter on the battery cable side is all that ever goes bad on those starters they are very good starters. The brushes are available from Toyota on the alternators and thats about all that goes bad on them.

 

[davecharles]

How well does it work compared to a heater in the lower hose. Anyone know what the I.D. is for the lower hose. I want to compare the cost and ease of installation of both.
Dave

 

[Car Doc]

How well does it work compared to a heater in the lower hose. Anyone know what the I.D. is for the lower hose. I want to compare the cost and ease of installation of both.
Dave

I cant tell you what the hose size is or how for sure a hose heater compares on a tractor but I have had both in vehicles and they both work fine and probably cost about the same. Either one can be a bear if not almost impossible to install on one of our YM's. btdt if you happen to have the block plug that screws in Katahdyn has that one he put on for an instance might help you too!

However my opinion is the block heater is better simply because you are heating the block almost directly rather than the radiator which will radiate the heat quickly and the front of the block even though they circulate to some degree. my .002

 

[Katahdin]

Thanks again Car Doc, I have the luxury of Yanmar warrantying that starter for the next 5 years, but after that expires its good to know I have inexpensive options!

I would think the efficiency nod would go to the block heater, its already inside what you're trying to heat.

Costs are about the same either way you go, I'm using autopartsandstuff.com for the prices. That's where I bought the block heater.

If you have the tools to get the plug out, I would say ease goes to the block heater, only because if you go the hose route you'll need to drain the block and radiator? I only lost and had to add 8 ounces of coolant.

Here are zerostart part numbers for radiator hose heaters, you just need to match up your hose size:

PART NO. / FITS HOSE SIZE/ WATT
3200001 / 1" (2.4cm) / 375
3200002 / 1-1/4" (3.1cm) / 375
3200003 / 1-1/2" (3.7cm) / 600
3200004 / 1-3/4" (4.3cm) / 600
3200005 / 2" (5cm) / 600

The entire Zerostart catalog is available here: Phillips & Temro - Catalogs It has dimensions on the hose heater sizes if you've got a tight fit.

 

[Katahdin]

I forgot to add regarding hose heaters, there seems to be a problem with most of them tripping circuits in GFCI 110V outlets. I know this is the case with the hose heater that came with my 93' GMC. Naturally all my outdoor outlets are GFCI so I've never used it.

 

[joe swanson]

I forgot to add regarding hose heaters, there seems to be a problem with most of them tripping circuits in GFCI 110V outlets. I know this is the case with the hose heater that came with my 93' GMC. Naturally all my outdoor outlets are GFCI so I've never used it.

I have two heaters in my 336D, one in the block 750W and one in the transmission / rear-end 1KW. Only problem ever encountered was the rather rude surprise contained in the electric bill. Since my place is mostly for week ends duringthe winter I use a swimming pool timer goes on a noon thrusday and off a midnight Saturday.

Big savings paid for it self the first month.

 

[Scotty Dive]

Hey Gang....I am hijacking this thread as I believe the original poster worked out his problem....If I need to start a new thread...please let me know.

So with Winter in full swing in New England, my YM2020D with the 3T82B-N engine struggles but always starts when its really cold...I just don't like the idea of it struggling so much and was thinking of installing a block heater that Hoye Sells - but I do not want to touch the block if there is a significant possibility that I screw something up. In Katahdins original post and picture, he has a plug that has a square hole that would seem logical that it would unscrew. However in my block I only have plugs and something that I am wondering if its possible was designed to accept a block heater. Please see the image below and the plugs are labeled "B" and the mystery area is labeled "A". If I need to pull the plug B - how is that done and do I need to tap that hole? Thats a pretty big hole to tap????. What is "A"? By the way this is the "passenger side of the tractor.

 

[winston1]

No idea about A but I would say B is press in freeze plugs. Stupid question I guess but what is on the other side of your block? I thought that was where the screw out plug was. Right above the starter.

 

[Katahdin]

I have come across in my research a block heater that looks like it could fit A: Zerostart part number 3500001. Its listed for the Yanmar 3TN66 and 3TN72 engines. Maybe it'll also match up to yours?

ZeroStart - 350-0001 - Circulation Heater

 

[chriswheeler]

I've installed and used both. The inline rad hose install was more of a chalange working in a tight space. It was a Kats, and went into the 3T84 in my YM3000. Had to drain the coolant. Almost the same engine in my JD950 got a screw in block heater. ( 3T90J ) Hex head plug was behind the starter, had to remove the starter to unstick the plug, had to give it a little heat to break it loose. Think the 950 heats up faster with the block heater than the YM3000 did with the hose heater. Think a little more of the heat transfered to the radiator in the YM3000 than with the plug in the JD950. If I have it to do again with my new to me 970, I'll opt to do the screw in heater. I like unplugging the removable cord and getting it out of harms way in the summer.
Chris

 

[Neat 1500]

A looks to be a cover into the crank area ie"oil behind it,not water" and B we here call them welsh plugs which are in the water jackets. i think you would struggle to tap those big sucker holes, plus i dont think there would be much room behind it either to get much depth?

 

[Scotty Dive]

Stupid question I guess but what is on the other side of your block? I thought that was where the screw out plug was. Right above the starter.

Glad you said something Winston.....I didn't see this even after looking a few times....Its 17 degrees out today....I would hate to have to start the tractor today....So I can assume this is the plug the block heater would go - So, some propane heat the some force and I should be able to get it out? Will I lose all of the coolant or just a bit like Katahdin did?

 

[winston1]

I am thinking that plug should measure appx 1-5/16". That is the appx diameter of 1" pipe. Pretty confident that is the thread size on the block heater that Hoye sells. Tapping on a pipe plug can sometimes help in removal. Penetrating oil is next to useless in my opinion because tapered pipe plugs are made to seal and they do. I am not sure I can tell from your picture but that looks like a square head rather than a square socket? I wouldn't think you would loose over half your coolant if that much.

 

[California]

After a lot of plumbing repairs on a hundred year old farmhouse - unscrewing anything with large pipe threads scares me. It would be my luck to tear the head off that 30 year old plug before the plug unscrewed. And using a huge breaker bar risks bumping unrelated components.

Approach with caution!


re losing fluid - first remove the radiator cap to relieve pressure.