Dealer Why do NE dealers not recommend block heaters?

PhilNH5 · Jan 11, 2004

Folks,
Lost of posts dealing with tractors and starting them in the cold. It seems there are many people who let the dealer tell them a block heater is not required in New England.
I specifically asked for one and the dealer said I did not need one. I live in USDA zone 5. It gets cold here. But the BX2200 was my first diesel engine. I had been coming to TBN for a year prior to purchasing so I knew about block heaters. But I figured the dealer knew his equipment and this area. Plus he was giving up cold cash by not selling me a block heater.

Now I made the decision to keep the BX in the garage and my truck is in the elements so I do not have a problem.
But getting back to my reason for posting. why do the dealers tell us we don't need the block heaters?

Phil

Junkman · Jan 11, 2004

The mark up on the heater isn't many dollars and neither is the labor charge to install it. They can't make much money on this installation and it can cost a lot of money to correct problems such as leaks etc. if the install doesn't go well. I just had a block heater installed in my Ford and the dealership didn't and wouldn't go by the suggested book time for the install. Claimed that the book didn't allow enough time for this operation. I asked if the book allowed more than enough time to do the other service operation that it was in for, would I get a credit for the time not used. Just got a blank stare for a response.

DAVELR · Jan 11, 2004

When I purchased my B2910, I asked about a block heater. Dealer said it wasn't necessary. I previously had a small diesel-Yanmar-and i had to use the heater or it would not start. I am in Virginia and it does not stay real cold too long here. Yesterday morning it was about 8 degrees. I went to start my Kubota. It started right up. Guess the dealer knew what he was talking about.

Rowski · Jan 11, 2004

Phil

They are right that they are not required to get them to start in the cold. That's what the glow plugs are for. I started my NH2120 once in -25F with the block heater NOT plugged in. I gave three glows on the glow plugs and it started up, made some very weird noises.

I do feel that the block heater makes it easier to start, less weird noises. Also the warm up time is reduced by at least 20 minutes (depending on outside air temp). If you leave your block heater plugged in for very long periods prior to starting it will transfer the heat (all that iron) to you transmission and get that somewhat warm too.

The other day we had -30F at my house. My chevy truck was plugged for about 10 hours. I started it, unplugged my cord, closed the hood, went in side the house and grabbed my coffee to go, and drove down the road. In about 5 minutes after start-up my heater was blowing warm air and about 5 minutes after that the temp gauge was at normal operating temp.

Hope this helps.

JD2K · Jan 11, 2004

Funny thing you ask this. Where I live in the Northeast Kingdom in VT all the dealers install block heaters automatically. I called A dealer in New Hampshire near Hanover and they do the same thing there.

I live in USDA Hardiness zone 3 and it has gotten as low as -51 here most years. That ain't wind chill boys that's on the thermometer. So block heaters are defimately needed or ether injectors like on my skidder, and 6 batteries, and even then when it's 30-50 below she starts Hard!

But My Kubota dealer was hesitant to install one. He deals out of Montpelier and says that Kubotas start very easy even in the cold. Well needless to say I said"thank you very much, install it anyway". He did FOC, and I am happy.

Just to be sure I left my M6800 unplugged last Thursday, the low was a modest -20 and that tractor couldn't even think about starting, she could barely crank.

Well yesterday Morning was -38 and she was plugged in all night after a good 1/2 day of work. She started very easy. I let her warm up for 1/2 an hour and I worked her very lightly for 4 hours. Just to help in the breaking in. The tractor has 12 hours on the meter.

If you live where temps get below 10 F get a block heater. My Deere 4700 would start reliably down to -20 but why the heck would I want to put a tractor thru that torture. Plug them in and use low viscosity oil. All the manufacturers make and sell low vis hydrolic oil and low vis engine oil for diesels.

If your dealer says you don't need it pay the extra and get the heater.

They also sell magnetic oil pan heaters. I have never used one and I have heard many stories regarding the safety of such items. But anything is better than a day without work.

Stay warm

AJP

ronjhall · Jan 11, 2004

PhilNH5

Most late model diesel tractor will start very easily without a heater. After having one set on the shelf for a couple of years I installed it. If I had known how much difference it makes with starting, dealer would have installed it before I took delivery.

My dealer said the same thing as yours said. They are right but there is a lot of difference on the amount of battery power needed to turnover the engine when it is below zero out. It also requires more time to get glow plugs warmed up. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Junkman may be right there is not much profit installing a block heater. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Will_C · Jan 11, 2004

I know that when I bought my tractor many people recommended against a block heater unless it was absolutely needed. It seems that many folks have had trouble with the heaters leaking coolant. Don't have any experience with this happening; just anecdotes from some folks.
Will

Egon · Jan 11, 2004

[ had trouble with the heaters leaking coolant. ]

Urban ledgend!!!! Dealer ignorance???

North of the 49'th block heaters are standard equipment. Don't seem to cause any problems except when they are not used in cold conditions. Durned engine won't start.

Egon

MadReferee · Jan 11, 2004

If the heater leaks coolant it was installed improperly. In almost all cases installation is simply unscrewing a plug and screwing in the heater. Thread sealant is a must. My guess this whole leaking thing is an urban legend.

rbarker · Jan 11, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I specifically asked for one and the dealer said I did not need one. I live in USDA zone 5. It gets cold here. But the BX2200 was my first diesel engine. I had been coming to TBN for a year prior to purchasing so I knew about block heaters. )</font>

Phil,

My experience was the same. Talked me right out of it. Unfortunately, I had not been reading here for a year prior to buying and didn't know enought to insist rather than just ask.
If you followed my thread in the owner/operator section then you know how thats working for me! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I am just as puzzled as you as to why. Why in the world would a salesman want a customer to be sitting at home for three days with a $15,000 piece of equipment that won't run for the want of a $30 or $40 item? It boggles the mind. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif