Liquid coming from block heater

[almost canadian]

So I took delivery of a new Kubota L4600 recently and, as the weather has been so cold here since the time that I received it, I haven't really used it at all.

I needed to move a round bale today so, as the temperature is -30 C, I plugged in the block heater and went off to perform some other chores for 3 hours.

When I returned to the tractor, there was some green fluid on the floor and, after looking to see where it was coming from, I traced the source to the "block heater".

I don't know if this is normal but one end of the cable to the block heater is, obviously, a plug and the other end has brass/bronze look to it and is a female portion of another plug unit. The male portion of this plug unit has 2 prongs and the liquid was coming from the casing portion that surround these prongs.

Part of me thinks that this liquid release is normal and probably represents excess fluid that is supposed to discharge the first time the block heater is used. Another part of me thinks that something is wrong and that no liquid should be discharging at all. I used the tractor for 20 minutes or so and, when I finished, there was no more discharge of liquid.

Am I being a big girl's blouse or is there need for concern?

Many thanks for any guidance you can provide.

 

[waytech]

You are leaking antifreeze.
Contact your dealer

 

[almost canadian]

So I took delivery of a new Kubota L4600 recently and, as the weather has been so cold here since the time that I received it, I haven't really used it at all.

I needed to move a round bale today so, as the temperature is -30 C, I plugged in the block heater and went off to perform some other chores for 3 hours.

When I returned to the tractor, there was some green fluid on the floor and, after looking to see where it was coming from, I traced the source to the "block heater".

I don't know if this is normal but one end of the cable to the block heater is, obviously, a plug and the other end has brass/bronze look to it and is a female portion of another plug unit. The male portion of this plug unit has 2 prongs and the liquid was coming from the casing portion that surround these prongs.

Part of me thinks that this liquid release is normal and probably represents excess fluid that is supposed to discharge the first time the block heater is used. Another part of me thinks that something is wrong and that no liquid should be discharging at all. I used the tractor for 20 minutes or so and, when I finished, there was no more discharge of liquid.

Am I being a big girl's blouse or is there need for concern?

Many thanks for any guidance you can provide.

Edit: I have added some pictures to show what I am talking about.

One shows the cable connected.
One shows the two prongs with the cable disconnected.
One shows the female end of the cable.
The final one shows the entire cable.

 

[aczlan]

Picture? Not normal as far as I know. I might check the bolt that holds it in with a 1/4" drive ratchet and see if I could tighten it up a little. If it keeps leaking, your dealer should fix it.

Aaron Z

 

[almost canadian]

Picture? Not normal as far as I know. I might check the bolt that holds it in with a 1/4" drive ratchet and see if I could tighten it up a little. If it keeps leaking, your dealer should fix it.

Aaron Z

I tried to load pictures to this thread using the edit function, put it posted a duplicate thread.

Here they are:

One shows the cable connected.
One shows the two prongs with the cable disconnected.
One shows the female end of the cable.
The final one shows the entire cable

 

[almost canadian]

You are leaking antifreeze.
Contact your dealer

Was this triggered by the use of the block heater, or is the timing a coincidence?

 

[aczlan]

Was this triggered by the use of the block heater, or is the timing a coincidence?

Hard to tell. Is this the first time you have had it good and warm?

Aaron Z

 

[aczlan]

I tried to load pictures to this thread using the edit function, put it posted a duplicate thread.

I merged the threads into one.

Aaron Z

 

[almost canadian]

Hard to tell. Is this the first time you have had it good and warm?

Aaron Z

No, it was running for about 30 minutes last weekend - no leaking resulted from that.

 

[almost canadian]

I merged the threads into one.

Aaron Z

Thank you.

 

[varmint]

I wouldn't think that leakage should be occurring. If its leaking from the heater itself, and not around the screw-in threads, it's defective. Other than draining the coolant, exchanging it should be easy. And, I think 3 hours is a long time to be heating. My old Kubota, with a similar, Canadian made heater, only takes 30 minutes. It sounds like boiling if I left it for hours- but it is a much smaller engine. My heater is old, and I like the plug at each end feature- mine has about a 8" cord coming out, with the male plug on the end, so if the cord is damaged, I am screwed.

 

[skyhook]

The male portion of this plug unit has 2 prongs and the liquid was coming from the casing portion that surround these prongs.

Defective "block heater", it will need to be replaced.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I wouldn't think that leakage should be occurring. If its leaking from the heater itself, and not around the screw-in threads, it's defective. Other than draining the coolant, exchanging it should be easy. And, I think 3 hours is a long time to be heating. My old Kubota, with a similar, Canadian made heater, only takes 30 minutes. It sounds like boiling if I left it for hours- but it is a much smaller engine. My heater is old, and I like the plug at each end feature- mine has about a 8" cord coming out, with the male plug on the end, so if the cord is damaged, I am screwed.

I don't think so at 30 below. Plenty long enough but not to long. There is no way a block heater will boil the water/antifreeze.

I agree with the others. There is a leak around the prong. I would have it replaced before it becomes a crack.

 

[almost canadian]

Thanks for all the replies.

Dealer is coming out Monday afternoon to take a look. I will report back with the diagnosis.

 

[kebo]

Defective "block heater", it will need to be replaced.

Or else not installed properly. As it heats up and expands, something is not sealing up like it should, thus the leak. Hope your dealer gets it fixed.

 

[almost canadian]

So, for those that are interested, the male portion of the plug was broken and the anti freeze was leaking through it. A 5 minute job to switch it out and top up the anti freeze.

 

[2458n]

Makes sence. That was a good catch on your part. And that is what a dealer should have done. Agree with not worrying about leaving the heater plugged in. My 7.3 diesel goes for days with the heater plugged in because I never know when I have to leave.