engine water heater - what type?

[radman1]

What type of engine water heater should I use? For various reasons, I don't want to use the type of heater that fits directly into a freeze plug or block plug. Does the type that are spliced into radiator hose work better or should I get one that splices into the cab heater return water hose? My cooling system holds about 7L. The radiator hose type are about 600 watts. The inline water hose type vary from about 750, 1500 or 2000 watts - which one would you recommend?

 

[NoMo]

If you can keep waiting, I wouldn't do anything until they get your cab heat issue resolved. Tampering with the cooling system might give them an excuse to say "you" caused the problem.

 

[Doc_Bob]

I was going to go with a radiator hose heater. But on my NH TN70A, there is no room. The magnetic heaters might be a choice especially if leaving no "trail" is important as one poster suggested you might have some warranty issues pending.
Bob

 

[billbill1]

I have a 500 watt unit that I bought at NAPA for around $30 with the clamps. Plug it in for 30 minutes and it makes a huge difference. You need about 2 or 3 inches to install one but they work good.

 

[charlz]

I just replaced my old, non-working, lower radiator hose heater on my Kubota b7100 with a Kats 600w. I bought it at an autoparts store for just under $30.

The system holds about 5 quarts and is thermo-siphon. I was very impressed that the radiator was very warm to the touch after 10 minutes and after 45 minutes the block was warm to the touch.

Since I was replacing I did not have to cut the hose but the instructions say you only need to cut 1 inch out of the hose.

The instructions call for the unit to be installed with the cap facing down. I had to cut out some of the mesh on the bottom of my side panel to allow it to poke out. Not a big issue as this area is well protected.

The one thing that I was not so sure about was that the heating element pokes out of the end of the unit a little bit. With my hose size (1.25 inch) and a bend immediately after the unit the end of the element is close to the wall of the hose. Since I will only be running the heater a little while before starting the tractor (and not that often anyway) I don't think it would get hot enough there to melt a hole in the hose but it is something to think about when putting the unit in.

Charles

 

[dirtworksequip]

radman, why wouldn't you just go with the Deere block heater that is made for that engine???


http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q259/dirtworksequip/P1010869.jpg


Easy install, as long as the plug comes out easy.I had to use 3/4 breaker bar with a 1/2 reducer. If you look real hard you can see the plug and the orange connection to the heater.

 

[rich_ncal]

Does anyone make a engine oil heater that could be used in place of the dipstick?

 

[jbrumberg]

I was going to go with a radiator hose heater. But on my NH TN70A, there is no room. The magnetic heaters might be a choice especially if leaving no "trail" is important as one poster suggested you might have some warranty issues pending.
Bob

A magnetic heater really did not do the job for me. Most of the small block diesels are aluminum so a magnetic heater will not attach. I had good results with my return hose radiator heater, but I had to cut a lot of return hose and it was a tight fit. It did work really well. Jay

 

[IH250]

I have installed all 4 types on various tractors I own and these are my results.Magnetic heater on the oil pan on my 20 hp Bolens totally usless.Changed to a block heater 600 watts I think and it would warm that 2 cyl in 20 minutes and start instantly even below zero.Installed a lower radiator on a 4 cyl 65 hp IH and it would need to be plugged in for 4-6 hours to get any help on really cold days.I then went to a circulating 1500w external and it warms up in one hour.IMO the in the block freeze plug is best and easy to install just get one from your dealer not a cheapo one that will leak in 2 yrs.2nd best,circulating type in your heater line just add it in a place where you can remove it if your having dealer issues. Jason

 

[CATMAN]

Radman1; My Dad's 1961 JD3010 (4 cylinder diesel; 55 HP) uses external 1500 watt coolant heater. It works fine. Never more than 1 hour in really cold weather (-10F). It has 24 volt system and starter, so it rarely needs to be plugged in. The 1964 JD4020 Diesel(6 cylinder; 95 HP) also uses 1500 watt external coolant heater, It works fine also. I agree with others on getting factory block heater, but if you go with an aftermarket style, I feel 1500 watts is fine. Just curious, once you start the tractor with your new block heater; Are you going to leave it (110 volt heater) plugged in while the tractor warms up with its own combustion heat? [Speed up the warmup time for the cab heater.]

 

[radman1]

NoMo and Catman
You both remembered my cab heat issue didn't you. Since my dealer closed this week, I decided to do my own trouble shooting. I am going to remove my current plug type block heater. I got an adapter to fit in the hole and then will use a 5/8 hose fitting on the adapter and run the return cab heater hose into the block with some extra heater hose I have. Then run the tractor to see if this cures my engine heat problem. If it does then I will put a different engine heater on the tractor. If it doesn't then I will revert it to the way it was and take it to another dealer.
My previous dealer was going to change the injector timing but since they were going out of business in 2 more days, I said no way. I didn't want to have something go wrong or make it worse and no one else to take it to.

 

[RalphVa]

I bought a bottom radiator hose heater for my old 220D from J.C. Whitney way back in about 1975ish. I worked great to heat the engine preheated for about an hour in -22 F weather.

Don't recall the wattage. It was easy to install on the 220D. Space is more limited on compact tractor engines.

Ralph

 

[BTDT]

Good luck. I thought I read where they were trying to blame your heater not working due to leaking cab insulation. If I were you I would try whatever I thought would work.