Could'nt start the BX again today!

[r0GuE]

Re: Could\'nt start the BX again today!

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The amount of fumes that are given off is dependent on the quality of the plates that make up the battery. I have a tar top battery in my antique car that gives off a lot of fumes. I have a sealed battery in my daily driver that give off no fumes. Today there are a lot of variables to consider. In the old days, if you had a bad battery you could take the caps off and look into the electrolyte while someone was cranking the engine and tell what cells were weak by the amount of bubbles that the cells would produce.... Lots of bubbles that was the weak cell. No bubbles, that was a fully charged cell. I have successfully used the battery extending liquids in the old tar tops, but just replace the newer type batteries. Originality isn't important on a new car to me.......but is on a 40 year old car... )</font>

W O W !!!

I wish you were my neighbor! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
You seem to know a heck of a lot of stuff. Oh well, I'll just keep picking your (and everyone elses) brain right here on TBN. I've learned more here (and more usefull stuff at that) than I did in college.

Current plan is to heat the tracor and get it started then take it in to the garage for some TLC on the battery (probably replace it). I may call my dealer and see what he would charge for a block heater install.

I understand there are two types,... which is best (dangerous question /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ) Oil pan heater or radiator heater?

 

[Egon]

Re: Could\'nt start the BX again today!

The plate quality of batteries deteriorates over time and use. Vibration and sulphation take there toll. As these batteries age more fumes are produced. Always found it easier to use a hydrometer to check the cells.

Egon

 

[Charliebrn]

Re: Could\'nt start the BX again today!

Actually, there are 3 types: Block, radiator and oil pan heaters. You had it right though, get the block heater. It's designed to replace a threaded plug in the side of your BX's engine. It's located under the exhaust header on the right side, and it takes a 17mm Hex wrench to remove it. Some time back, I posted the project to install it, complete with pictures. It's easy to do and took about a half hour to do. If I remember right, the heater itself cost about $40.

 

[DaveInColorado]

Re: Could\'nt start the BX again today!

A BX should start fine with 15 seconds on the glowplugs in 15 degree weather. You may have water in the fuel filter or something similar that is blocking everything up. After the BX starts just bump it off idle a bit to where it is running smoothly, then leave it for 10 minutes or so. It will crank faster with synthetic oil in the engine. I have not yet had a need for a block heater but I also don't use the tractor much in the winter except when it snows 3" or more. It has only snowed more than 3" one time this season. The BX is a Snow Monster with the front loader!

 

[TresCrows]

Re: Could\'nt start the BX again today!

"It's easy to do and took about a half hour to do. If I remember right, the heater itself cost about $40."

That would mean Roque would have to add to his tool collection of two screwdrives, a roll of duct tape and a plier.

Hey, just teasing you /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. (I think). J

 

[bxbuster]

Re: Could\'nt start the BX again today!

My BX has been sitting in the unheated garage for nearly a month, no charger, no heater, and it fired right up a few days ago in 10 degree weather. I think I agree with the others that you should get the dealer involved. A block heater is nice but shouldn't be required. Also, when I start mine I use no throttle until it starts up and then bump it up just a tad to smooth it out as the other post read. Mike

 

[Junkman]

Re: Could\'nt start the BX again today!

I let the cat sleep on the cold engine to keep it warm and it always starts no matter how cold it is. If the engine was a little larger, I would need two cats for it... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Just have to remember to remove the cat before starting.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[RalphVa]

Re: Could\'nt start the BX again today!

Some were talking about batteries and even about the dangerous action of looking into the cells while putting juice into them.

First, regarding corroded terminals. The best thing that I've found for this is those red and green washers you can buy at auto supply stores. Remove the cables, clean them up and put the washers underneath the cables on the battery posts. Hate using grease. Makes a mess and doesn't work if you leave the least little bit uncovered. Toyotas are notorious cable corroders. Hasn't corroded since I put the washers on. My Gravely battery has them. Came with them.

Second, don't get any sensitive body parts near a battery that's having juice put into it. My Dad blew up a battery once in putting the cables on to jump it. ALWAYS put the last cable on as ground cable and onto a part (frame maybe) a ways away from the battery. Batteries evolve hydrogen gas, which normally will dissipate quite quickly, but will explode if concentrated anywhere (like right around the battery posts). If H2 blows up a battery, guess what fluid flies all over the place? Sulfuric acid, nasty stuff.

I vote for cleaning up the battery cables/posts and putting the red/green washers on. Also, I vote for a block heater. Plug it in about an hour before you want to start it. Think the block heater will work quicker than the magnetic heaters on the sump because the coolant is a much better thermal conductor than engine oil. Block heaters have worked great on a couple Benz diesels of mine.

Ralph

 

[r0GuE]

Re: Could\'nt start the BX again today!

We have a few inches of ice pellets on top of last nights snow. I went out to start the tractor and it is more appearent to me now that I do indeed need a battery. My BX is almost 3 years old. I do not think the battery would be warrantee would it?? Besides, I really need to go NOW and get a battery installed to clean my driveway (preschool tomorrow),.

Where to go? Wal-Mart,Sears,Advanced Auto
What to get?
How much is "the right price range"

Thanks for a quick answer please

 

[Egon]

Re: Could\'nt start the BX again today!

Junkman:

How true. There was a fellow at work had his truck plugged in. A cat figured it was a nice place to sleep but unfortunetly didn't survive the drive to work.

Egon

 

[RalphVa]

Re: Could\'nt start the BX again today!

Rings and watches don't survive around battery terminals either. Sorry about your cat. Hope he died happy.

Ralph

 

[NIXON]

Re: Could\'nt start the BX again today!

My BX is almost 3 years old. I do not think the battery would be warrantee would it?? Besides, I really need to go NOW and get a battery installed to clean my driveway (preschool tomorrow),.

Where to go? Wal-Mart,Sears,Advanced Auto
What to get?

ROGUE . first your battery is out of warranty . That's the bad news . But if you need the tractor tonight , or tomorrow , jump it . It'll be up to the task of running your tractor . Or put a decent charger( 10 amp or > ) on it overnight . When it takes care of the tasks it needs to do call around for a decent battery at a decent price . (try interstate batteries ) . Stay warm /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif John

 

[Junkman]

Re: Could\'nt start the BX again today!

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Some were talking about batteries and even about the dangerous action of looking into the cells while putting juice into them....................
Ralph )</font>

Ralph......... I have read the entire thread and I am the only one that made a comment about looking into the battery. Let me make this crystal clear..... I didn't suggest that anyone should look into the battery cell "while putting juice into them". I said to observe the electrolyte while cranking the engine. There is a big difference between what I have said and what you have said. My method of observation is safe, where as looking into the cells while it is being charged isn't. The safest thing to do before charging a battery is to remove all the caps and place a old towel over the cells openings. There can be a spark from the charging terminals that could ignite the fumes that are being "gassed" as a result of charging. Your method of hooking up the jumpers has left one very important detail out. You should always hook up the dead battery first and then hook up the live battery. Less chance of an errant spark causing problems. If anyone should ever get battery acid on them, the first aid should be to get into the shower and rinse it off for at least 15 minutes. The acid will continue to do damage long after contact, so irrigation is the best remedy. Then, always seek professional care even if you don't think that there is any burn. The faster any acid is removed, the less damage it will cause. Always wear safety glasses when working around batteries, because any amount of acid in the eyes will cause permanent damage. Clothes can be replace, skin and sight can't.... As for the red and green felt washers, if it works for you, continue to use and recommend them. I prefer Vaseline, and one small jar will outlast a dozens of those felt washers and cost pennies per application vs. $1.99 for a set of those felt washers...

 

[5030]

Re: Could\'nt start the BX again today!

Junkman:

I had the cat on the engine scenario some years ago. I took it through the fan belt. The cat survived and lives in the house now. She has a bad foot, kind of flat or should I say vee'd from the pulley.

She is 17 years old, mean as hell. I guess she has forgiven me for my moment of indiscretion. She sits on my lap regularly. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif