New Block Heater

[jsduke]

Hi folks!

Had a block heater installed by my dealer recently. When the tractor was returned the radiator was full but the recovery tank was empty.

I used the block heater several days ago. I had it plugged in for about 90 mins. The tractor started easily and I hooked up my rear blade in preparation for the snow storm. After I shut her off I added some premix (e.g.) coolant to the recovery tank which brought the level to near the full line.

After the snow hit I used the heater again for almost 2 hours and when I went into the garage to fire it up I noticed a faint coolant odor. I noticed no spots or leakage and it started easily.

Upon returning to the garage (after plowing) the coolant odor was significantly stronger yet no obvious leaks and the recovery tank was at approx. the same level as when I added the premix.

Two days later (tractor idle) the coolant level is down about 1 - 2 inches in the recovery tank? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Any ideas?

Thanks.

duke.

 

[Deerlope]

Check for a leak when it is running, the fan might be blowing it around and evaporating the coolant as soon as it exits the system.

 

[Rimmer]

I've always found the coolant odor to be a very reliable indicator. I chased a very slow leak on my truck for ages without success. I found a small leak at the thermostat gasket and a small split in the line going to the coolant recovery bottle, but it was still leaking somewhere. Finally noticed a small coolant drip on the bottom of my transmission (!) /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. Managed to trace it back to the intake manifold gasket.

Keep looking, they can be hard to find! The idea that it may be leaking only under pressure is a good one -- look for a telltale streak of dried green somewhere.

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[ronjhall]

duke.
Give this thread a look it may help you in searching for the leak.
Click Here

 

[sandyc]

Duke:

I would guess that the dealer's mech lost some coolant during the installation of the heater. This also might have introduced some air into the system which takes time to work out. Probably takes a couple of heating and cooling cycles to get everything back to normal. A better way of taking car of this is by using a vaccuum to pull out the air but that takes time and money.
You might try warming up your tractor and parking it in the snow and see if anything leaks. I have blown hoses before and not known it until I saw a green trail in the snow. Boy that is a sickening feeling to see that!
Good luck

 

[BIGUN]

If the level continues to drop and you can’t locate the leak because many times it will evaporate as fast as it leaks out on a hot area of the engine, you might give this method a try. While the engine is cold blow some LOW pressure air (5-10 psi) into the overflow hose back toward the radiator till you see or feel the radiator hose tighten up from the pressure. Don’t exceed the rated pressure of your cooling system as indicated by the radiator cap setting or you will make some REAL leaks. It will be easier to spot a small leak under pressure. When you are finished, crack the radiator cap to release the air.

 

[jsduke]

Thanks for the responses.

The confusion I have is that the tractor is nearly new (30hrs) and the coolant level dropped after the tractor sat for 48 hrs.

The first time I used the block heater (for 90mins) and subsequently the tractor (for about 30 mins.) there was no odor. Then I added the premix to the recovery tank (rad was full) and two days later while just using the heater I noticed the odor. The odor got worse after starting and running the tractor for 90 mins.

I'm trying to pinpoint the problem by using logic, but this may not work /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif.

duke.

 

[JWE]

I think the first place to look would be the area last touched by the dealer(the heated threads and the rad drain) . Tape a piece of white cloth around the block heater and rad drain and run the tractor for an hour. It will be easy to determin if it is leaking in those areas. I installed a block heater on my BX and the only way that I could make it stop leaking was to use Loctite thread compound.

John

 

[art]

Try looking around the heater itself as they might develop the leak themselves.

 

[cbh]

I recently installed a block heater myself in my B7500, at 30 hours. I had to top off the coolant tank after using it a couple of hours, and noticed a faint coolant odor, but no leaks, for several more uses. I now have 46 hours on it, didn't notice the odor the last time I used it, or any noticeable change in coolant level.

Maybe, as sandyc said, it takes time for things to "break in" after the installation process. I would put a little mark on the coolant tank level, keep an eye on it, but give it several more hours. As the tank level may change normally with engine temperature, l would check it only when cold.