Third time a charm?

Mowbizz · Dec 6, 2015

So...my BX25D has had the second block heater fail. Went out one frosty morning to heat her up and move some firewood.
Plugged the ext cord into the pigtail on the BX then went into the garage to plug it into the outlet...pop! I hear the circuit breaker go on the other side of garage. Hmmm...try again, same result. Got another cord...same thing. Went and got a short heavy cord from the house and same thing.
So...has my 2nd block heater failed after being replaced under warranty? Seems to be "shorted" or something. I took the extension cord and plugged in my air compressor and fired it up with no circuit breaker pop. Bad block heater...again. Called my dealer and explained the situation and he said wow, this is the 2nd one we have installed (after looking at the repair history). He said we'll be out on Monday to pick it up. What the heck could be going wrong with such a simple concept?
It worked fine all last winter after the 2nd one was installed...not a biggie, but I am quickly losing confidence in this particular accessory add-on.
I'll update when they tell me what was wrong with it...

(that's if they even know themselves)

Citydude · Dec 6, 2015

I had one fail after 6 hours of use. My dealers 200 miles away so I replaced it myself after he sent me a new one. Pretty disappointing to say the least.

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 6, 2015

I haven't used my block heater yet. At what temp do you start using it?

Billrog · Dec 6, 2015

When ever a block heater that has not worked or failed every time I found all I had to do was replace the cord that came with it. A lot easier than replacing the block heater it's self.

Citydude · Dec 6, 2015

lukestafford said:
I haven't used my block heater yet. At what temp do you start using it?

I plug mine in when the temps are at freezing or below.

Citydude · Dec 6, 2015

Billrog said:
When ever a block heater that has not worked or failed every time I found all I had to do was replace the cord that came with it. A lot easier than replacing the block heater it's self.

The cord tested good. The heating element not so much.

groundcover · Dec 6, 2015

Might be easier to move south !

Citydude · Dec 6, 2015

groundcover said:
Might be easier to move south !

Yes! I'll get right on that....

TomSeller · Dec 6, 2015

They should change brands of block heater. If they are in an air pocket I could understand them failing.

Billrog · Dec 6, 2015

I hope it's an easy place to get at for you some are a real bear. Ask the dealer if there's a certain way the element should be inside the block to allow for the most clearance.

Mowbizz · Dec 7, 2015

TomSeller said:
They should change brands of block heater. If they are in an air pocket I could understand them failing.

I agree...seems to be something fishy with these. Maybe it's the "off season" that renders them useless somehow?

Mowbizz · Dec 8, 2015

BX was picked up late yesterday and is now in the hands of the dealer. I hope there's a quick turnaround with a concrete explanation of why these block heaters are not cutting the mustard...

Citydude · Dec 8, 2015

I installed mine myself, both times. I followed the instructions that were included in the kit when installing the one and ran the engine for a few hours. It was fine for the first two mornings, the third it was dead. One would think that the air would have worked its way out after working the tractor for a few hours.

On the second install, I followed the instructions, ran the engine for thirty minutes or so however this time without the radiator cap on. I replaced the radiator cap and put the tractor to work. The temp gauge went to operating temp and stayed there while working it. After I parked it, I loosened the radiator cap. It burped a bunch of air. With that, I'm not sure that the air purges like one expect. Just my 2 cents worth.

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 8, 2015

Mowbizz said:
BX was picked up late yesterday and is now in the hands of the dealer. I hope there's a quick turnaround with a concrete explanation of why these block heaters are not cutting the mustard...

Hope so too (I don't have a high opinion of your likely dealer).

FatTire · Dec 8, 2015

My block heater started leaking coolant out around the pins. My dealer had the replacement in stock, the parts guy said "they fail all the time, but most often its the cord and Kubota doesn't sell that by itself". Is that correct?

Billrog · Dec 8, 2015

You can buy a cord at Napa.

Mowbizz · Dec 9, 2015

lukestafford said:
Hope so too (I don't have a high opinion of your likely dealer).

Haha...gee...I wonder who that dealer might be?

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 9, 2015

No comment. As you probably know, I mostly despise their sales department, not service.

Mowbizz · Dec 12, 2015

No word from the dealer so far. They have had my BX since Monday and now it's Saturday. I called this morning and the service guy (who was supposedly, having "computer problems") could not give me any answers. I got the "I'll call you right back" and that was 2 hours ago...a little miffed at this point. all I want is my BX back with a working block heater.