block heater

[suntreemcanic]

I have an old Iseki Model TX1500F (Bolens 174). The operator manual indicates "Bolens offer an engine block heater that can be installed by dealer." Is any one familiar with this item. I am wondering how it was plumbed into the cooling system.

 

[ampa]

I plumbed one into mine....it's expense though.......but works fine.......... Ampa

 

[suntreemcanic]

What ports did you use?

 

[PILOON]

Generally the frost plug style is the most cost effective,
Simply locate an accessible one, measure the diameter and get it from a local auto parts.
Very simple install, maybe 1/2 hour or so.
Cost is $20-30 range.

 

[ampa]

Circulating type is best.....that is what I used....as to what ports I used....I used the one on the engine block and then the rad then into the engine block once again....if this sounds confusing it is....to have a block heater just sitting there not circulating does nothing for you....believe me I tried it.....go my route and your machine will never let you down ever again.....I could take a snapshot or two but on these Iseki tractors there's not too much room to play with......Ampa

 

[Egon]

..to have a block heater just sitting there not circulating does nothing for you.

Block heaters or inline heaters seem to circulate the coolant quite well for most people.

What was the reason you's did not circulated?

 

[suntreemcanic]

Ampa, I have the block drain port and the port for the temp sender. Those would work for the block heater and I am sure some of the warmed water would circulate into the radiator. But then how or where would I hook up a temperature gauge? Is there another access point to the coolant that I have not found?

 

[ampa]

Egon....I was more or less referrin' to an oilpan heater...a blockheater can be a bit of a problem due to the space inside the engine block...I went external and it works quite well for me...it cost me alot in the long run...but to get this ol' tractor started in the cold weather....I now have no problems at all.....Ampa

 

[ampa]

I had lights and now all gauges....temp runs off the thermometer jacket if I remember correctly....Ampa

 

[ampa]

I just had a slight stroke so this is why I've not been on for a while....gettin' better though.....Ampa

 

[Egon]

..I was more or less referrin' to an oilpan heater

Thanks for the information.:thumbsup:

Best wishes for a full and complete recovery.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[suntreemcanic]

Ampa, Are you using an oil pan heater currently?

 

[ampa]

Not @ all.....I'm usin' a circulating external type that I picked up @ Nappa more than 3 years ago....it's exactly what I needed....I got it mounted underneath the front section.....about the only place I could mount it....Iseki's don't have much room to install anything.....Ampa

 

[suntreemcanic]

Ampa, Hope you are feeling better. I have one of those tank type recirculating block heaters that would work perfect using the block drain port for the inlet and the temp. sensor port for the outlet. But where can I pick up engine temp? You mentioned using a thermometer jacket. What is that and where did you put it?

 

[ampa]

That's where the thermostat goes....housing is already on your tractor I assume...should have the thermostat gauge outlet hooked into it.....check it and see what I'm meanin' here.............. Ampa

 

[suntreemcanic]

My temperature gauge sensor goes onto a port in the block near the thermostat housing. Does your tractor have another port in that area that you plumbed your block heater into?

 

[ampa]

I'm just thinkin' out loud here ....I'm gettin' old and forgetfull....but I think my old gauge was wired into the thermostat housing....it's been more than 3 years since I installed the blockheater.....I think you could connect it off the engine block if you wanted.........Ampa

 

[yomax4]

I bought 2 different Frost Plug heaters for my Iseki TA247. Both had instructions as to which cyllinder they were to be fitted in. Wrong. Neither one fit. I ended up with a lower radiator hose heater that works good only after several hours of being pluged in.

 

[suntreemcanic]

I just looked over the engine block again. There is a soft plug on the back of the head. I will measure the soft plug and make sure I can find a replacement. Then I will try to braze a fitting to the soft plug that will hook up my block heater there. Then I can leave my temp gauge sender where it belongs. And the outlet would be on the other end of the block affording good circulation of the heated water. Ampa hope you are getting better. Is yours one of the two cylinder tractors?

 

[ampa]

I have the 3 cylinder......Ampa