Block Heater

[BHiggins]

My factory block heater is on it's way out, before I replace it with the same one does anyone know of a really good aftermarket heater? We're having a pretty bad New York winter and I want to get it replaced soon. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, and before anyone asks, I've ckecked all connections and the circuit on the outside of the house so it's definately the heater. Thanks for any input.

 

[bmoeller]

Did you test the cord? Mine failed, and had no external appearance that it should have been the cause. I borrowed a cord of one of the farm tractors for a week. Worked fine with the "new" cord.



The OEM heater is probably Zerostart. Very good heaters. Never had one fail yet. The tank type heaters are nice too. They circulate the water, and you probably won't need to scrape the windows, unless it is very cold out.

 

[BHiggins]

Thanks, I never thought to check the actual cord. I'll test/replace the cord in the morning and see if that works. The more I think about it the more it seems likely that it's the cord, the element should either work or not work. It wouldn't be intermittent

 

[BHiggins]

Also, from one "W" fan to another... Thanks for helping "Flush the John's".

 

[bmoeller]

:-laf You are welcome.

 

[tugboatphil]

While you're checking the cord, another thing to check is the plug for the extension cord. My heater was also a hit or miss one time and it turned out that the dog kept bumping the plug on the wall. My outlet box extends out from the wall, so I tied it around that. I've never had a problem since.

 

[BHiggins]

Thanks for the advise.

 

[DKasper]

I've also had great luck with Wolverine brand oil pan heaters -- they do a great job helping the oil flow in the cold. I use a 500 watt model on the a 4 cylinder diesel tractor(JD 3010) with no block heater and it starts up great when it's 0 out.

I second the comments on ZeroStart products -- good stuff.

 

[bgilbert]

Thought I read before one could test the two terminals on the block heater with an ohmmeter? Same with the plug too. ? While your there, make sure the BH is tight. It has I believe a 3/16" hex screw in it, its below the cord out of sight I believe. Mine was loose and allowed coolant to leak out. Some have had them fall out on the road, not good.

 

[Dman]

Stock heater is a Zero-Start. Mine went 14 years - 114,000 miles.

I found a wide variance in price. Best price was from my local International dealer. $51. 00

 

[BHiggins]

Thanks "BMoeller", It was the cord. It went bad inside the plug end, so I sacrificed an extention cord , cut off the female end, put on some screw eyes, and attached it to the heater. Worked like a charm!

 

[mysteryman]

phillips zero start was the oem

phillips zero start was the oem. to test it take the plug and check for continuity

between the blades. If there is no continunity the heater is shot. Using too much antifreeze will kill this type of heater. You can order a new zero start from most any parts store that services tractor trailers or heavy equipment

 

[JLEONARD]

Glad you solved it by fixing the cord.

For those interested, Fleetguard also make some nice block heaters... I have one in boat Cummins.

It is thermostatically controlled... . I have a 120 F model, they also make a 70 F model... and in either 120 or 220 V.

Jay

 

[PToombs]

i work for a case heavy equipment dealer,cummins b-series in almost everthing. never saw one go bad,usually the cord. if you get desperate,a 621B payloader has the same heater. but the price may be higher. i get parts at cost,helps w/gaskets,seals etc. keep truckin, pete