Block Heater
- Thread starter Scrounger
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JerryG
Super Member
or tank heater.
ByronBob
Veteran Member
I asked my dealer for a block heater and he gave me the in-line heater. I asked him about a real block heater and he said they don't make any other style.
If you plug that in for an hour in zero degree weather it warms the lines, radiator and fluid to 100 degrees. It's worth having one vs nothing. That engine starts much easier IMO
If you plug that in for an hour in zero degree weather it warms the lines, radiator and fluid to 100 degrees. It's worth having one vs nothing. That engine starts much easier IMO
OP
Scrounger
Platinum Member
Bummer. I wanted the true block heater over a line heater. They seem to go bad alot quicker than a real block heater. You also shouldn't leave them pluged in from what I understand.
Junkman
Super Member
The principle of operation and manufacture is the same, so I don't know why they would go bad any faster. You should only use the block heater for about an hour before starting the tractor. If you leave it plugged in all the time, there is no thermostat to turn it off, so it will burn out quicker. The cause of failure is also a result of not changing Anti-Freeze at the proper intervals or using water in the system that is laden with minerals. I used to burn out a block heater ever winter on my older Mercedes, until I learned about these matters. My last one lasted for over 6 years when I sold the car and was used every night during the winter. It was set up on a timer. The car started just as well after an hour as it did if the heater was plugged in all night. You are warming the block, not cooking soup. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
My BX 23 started really easy the couple times it has been below 20 outside, Since I am relatively new to this deisel thing what kind of problems do people have starting these things without warming them first?
I put my Throttle about half way turn the key on for about 10 seconds, turn the key to warm the glow plugs for about 5 - 10 seconds and it starts right up, the couple times it was down around 0 degrees outside it did blow a little bit of black smoke but started right up non the less.
I put my Throttle about half way turn the key on for about 10 seconds, turn the key to warm the glow plugs for about 5 - 10 seconds and it starts right up, the couple times it was down around 0 degrees outside it did blow a little bit of black smoke but started right up non the less.
OP
Scrounger
Platinum Member
The whole idea behind the block heater is you dont have to think about it. I guess with the inline heater you just have to think if its going to be real cold you need to have it on for an hour or so before hand. I just dont like to plan that much I guess. Heating the garage might be a better plan for me. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Tom_H
Veteran Member
Junkman
Super Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The whole idea behind the block heater is you don't have to think about it. I guess with the in-line heater you just have to think if its going to be real cold you need to have it on for an hour or so before hand. I just don't like to plan that much I guess. Heating the garage might be a better plan for me. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )</font>
It seems like you just don't understand how they work, they are both the same, and it is just location that is different. A block heater isn't some magical item that warms the block without being plugged into an electrical outlet, just like the in-line heater. Neither are intended to be plugged in indefinately because they will burn out since they are not temperature regulated. They both require for-though if you are not using a timer. A heated garage is always better for many reasons, but isn't necessary if you have a block or in-line heater installed. Just plug the heater in and set it to go on for an hour 2 or 3 times a day and the tractor will always be ready to go to work.
It seems like you just don't understand how they work, they are both the same, and it is just location that is different. A block heater isn't some magical item that warms the block without being plugged into an electrical outlet, just like the in-line heater. Neither are intended to be plugged in indefinately because they will burn out since they are not temperature regulated. They both require for-though if you are not using a timer. A heated garage is always better for many reasons, but isn't necessary if you have a block or in-line heater installed. Just plug the heater in and set it to go on for an hour 2 or 3 times a day and the tractor will always be ready to go to work.
OP
Scrounger
Platinum Member
Junkman
I never thought of the timer going on a few times a day for an hour or so. That might be the ticket. I would think that until the temps are in the single digits its not even an issue regardless. THanks for the advice.
I never thought of the timer going on a few times a day for an hour or so. That might be the ticket. I would think that until the temps are in the single digits its not even an issue regardless. THanks for the advice.
ByronBob
Veteran Member
This is my first winter with the heater. Yesterday it was in the 30's here in WNY. Didn't use the heater at all. A few weeks ago it was -10 for several mornings. I got wild weather overnight and knew I'd need to clean the driveway in the am to get out of it.
1 hour in 10 below weather and the whole radiator, lines and block were warmer. If this really helps in the long run is more of a mental answer to your own self I suppose.
1 hour in 10 below weather and the whole radiator, lines and block were warmer. If this really helps in the long run is more of a mental answer to your own self I suppose.
ChrisM
New member
FWIW - in my limited experience, and hour with the in-line heater is not enough if the temp is severely cold. I plugged in about an hour before trying to start in -10 temps recently and it was like trying to start without the heater. Since then, I've plugged in for a minimum of three hours before each really cold start and had much better results.
Junkman
Super Member
mine starts well after 1 hour being plugged in no matter how cold the weather. I have a BX 3 cylinder that is quite small. Your tractor might have a larger engine, which will require more heat. Mine is in the garage away from wind, that chill.. Yours might be outside, where some of the warmth is being removed as soon as it is applied. Tractors and conditions also need to be considered. There is no hard and fast rule, but common sense must be used. The 1 hour that is required for one tractor might require 6 hours for another. Too many variables. My 1 hour comment was pertaining to his BX tractor and his circumstances.
Ursushorribilus
Bronze Member
My L48 has started with no problems in -10 with no help at all up here in New Hampshire. I have a block heater, but I apparently don't need it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
