Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel

[hube2]

Almost 2 weeks ago I needed to go out an move snow and it was 20F outside. I had run the block heater for about an hour before going out but I was sure I should have run it longer and the tractor it would start hard due to the temp. I was surprised when after just 5 seconds on the glow plugs it started on the first turn.

A few days later I needed to run the tractor to clean up some of the mess I'd made with the bucket when moving snow (still learning) and it was 45F, night time low had been about 35. I didn't event think to turn on the block heater, I figured it was plenty warm outside. I ran the glow plugs for 5 seconds and it did not start the first try, ran the GPs again for 5 seconds and it started but not right away. I was surprised at how much harder it started than when it was 15 degrees cooler outside.

Today I needed to go out and use the tractor, it was 45 again, again night time low was about 35, I figured what the **** and turned the block heater on before I went out. It was only on for about 15 minutes and the tractor started right up the same as the day when it was 20F.

This is my first diesel and I'm just surprised at how much the block heater actually helps starting, even when it's not extremely cold outside. Hopefully it helps as much when it is 0F or below out there.

Just thought I'd share.

 

[jajiu]

My Kubota always starts right up when it is cold using the glow plugs but sounds like a shaking bucket of bolts until I had the block heater installed. I use the block heater when it is below 30F. to warm it up and it makes it so I can jump right in and start working without waiting for the block to warm up on it's own. Saves a ton of wear and tear on the engine.

 

[RalphVa]

Had a lower rad heater in the 220D Benz and a freeze plug heater in the 240D Benz. Nice thing about using the heaters in cars is instant heat! Otherwise, it takes a while for them to warm up.

Started the 220D one morning in Vermont @ -22 F. Ran the heater for about 30 minutes. Did the required glow plug thing with it (not fast), and it fired right up. Went down the road about a mile, and it quit. Let sit about a minute. Restarted. Drove about another mile or so and quit again. Let sit about a minute. Then started fine and kept going: wax in the fuel filter. It's right next to the engine block on Benzes. So, block heat melted the wax after a bit.

Ralph

 

[Rustyiron]

Yes they work well. I've found that most situations only require an hour or two. For my truck that I started every morning basically the same time I set up a plug in timer that would handle iirc up to 2000w. All it was basically was a little bit "heavier" lamp type timer that you'd plug a light into if you were leaving the house alone. Leaving a tractor plugged in for days between use will be noticed on the electrical bill.

 

[Jstpssng]

My old L275 wouldn't start at that temp without some type of prewarmer. I went through about 1/2 dozen block heaters in the 15 years that I had it. The last one I swapped out in -10'F with the wind howling... it never worked. It was a PITA, every time I had to partially pull the radiator to change it; I finally got tired of changing them and started using a space heater. My 3301 came with a frost plug style heater which only worked once... I'm still not sure what I'm doing wrong.


I could be mistaken, yet believe they also prolong the life of your engine and battery.

 

[Egon]

Big surprise? Heat do help.

 

[hube2]

Big surprise? Heat do help.

I knew heat would help, I was surprised at how much help it would be. I can remember having a block heater in an old car I once had, yes it would help the car start but it still started pretty hard when it was cold outside as apposed to not starting at all

 

[RickB]

My old L275 wouldn't start at that temp without some type of prewarmer. I went through about 1/2 dozen block heaters in the 15 years that I had it. The last one I swapped out in -10'F with the wind howling... it never worked. It was a PITA, every time I had to partially pull the radiator to change it; I finally got tired of changing them and started using a space heater. My 3301 came with a frost plug style heater which only worked once... I'm still not sure what I'm doing wrong.


I could be mistaken, yet believe they also prolong the life of your engine and battery.

Of course I have no idea if this applies to the way you use a block heater.
It is imperative that the heater not be in use when the tractor is running. Unplug the heater before starting and plug it in after shutdown.

 

[Cat385B]

I知 looking forward to a diesel that will actually start without being in a heated space, having the block heater plugged for at least a few hours, and cycling the glow plugs at least four times. Did I mention cranking it over so much I have to put the charger on it also?

My old tractor is a Bolens G152 (Iseki TX1300F) with a Mitsubishi KE70 2 cylinder diesel. Cold blooded doesn稚 quite cover it.

 

[hube2]

Yes they work well. I've found that most situations only require an hour or two. For my truck that I started every morning basically the same time I set up a plug in timer that would handle iirc up to 2000w. All it was basically was a little bit "heavier" lamp type timer that you'd plug a light into if you were leaving the house alone. Leaving a tractor plugged in for days between use will be noticed on the electrical bill.

I have thought about some of the things I've read here on TBN, like running it 4 hours before needing to start. I only plan to start running it longer than an hour or two if that winds up not being enough.