Block heater and other tips for cold weather starting

Graveyard1984 · Dec 30, 2018

I have a 2040 john deere i have thought about putting a block heater on it to help it start better in cold weather. Do they work? Do they hurt any thing?
Is there any other tips or tricks for cold weather starting?

I don't believe in using starting fluid.

Thanks

David G · Dec 30, 2018

Block heaters work very well.

jeffcat · Dec 30, 2018

See a lot of guys on here saying block heaters and also in hose heaters. My neighbor up on my folks farm his big diesel JD has a big old block heater sticking out of the block. Let us see what they recommend.

jon f mn · Dec 30, 2018

Depends on how cold it gets. Block heaters work ok if it's not too cold, and if you plug them in while the engine is warm will help even if pretty cold. If it's below zero and you don't want to be plugged in 24/7, a tank heater is better. A good tank heater will warm a cold engine in a couple hours.

Dieseltech · Dec 30, 2018

Block heaters work well as they put the heat where it's needed. Next best is circulating tank type, most have a thermostat control. Dad used a heavy duty timer on his loader tractor set for 2-3 hours before chore time depending on how cold it was. Zero Start catalog has several listings, and O'Reilly's can get them. Just got two for a Ford and IH tractors from O'Reilly's.

JD Seller · Dec 30, 2018

Your JD 2040 does not have a hole in the block for a block heater. They use a tank heater. Search the post of the last few months and there are several posts with pictures and instructions on installing a tank style heater on a JD tractor.

rusty6 · Dec 31, 2018

(quoted from post at 22:57:43 12/30/18) Your JD 2040 does not have a hole in the block for a block heater. They use a tank heater. Search the post of the last few months and there are several posts with pictures and instructions on installing a tank style heater on a JD tractor.

My JD 2140 has the factory equipment heater. Circulating type. Works very well and makes a huge difference to starting in cold weather. It simply would not start without it in our cold weather.
My Super 90 Massey has a big 1500 watt circulating heater and in one hour I can have that engine warm no matter how low the outside temperature is.

Ultradog MN · Dec 31, 2018

I can't say which style you need on your 2040 but either are better than none. I have block heaters on my 3 cylinder Fords.
Plug one in for a couple hours and the engine will start like it's July.
I've gotten so I feel like a criminal if I try to start one without plugging it in first.

RM-MN · Dec 31, 2018

If it doesn't get too cold where you live, just changing from conventional oil to a full synthetic for the engine will make a big difference. It doesn't get so stiff in the cold so the engine turns over faster.

moresmoke · Dec 31, 2018

Whether or not a block heater will warm a cold engine quickly all depends on the application. My loader tractor has two 750 watt block heaters in it. Warms up just fine. But some are only 300 watt or less.

Kinda like the stick on magnetic heaters that are 100 W. Not good for much, but better than nothing on a little air cooled diesel.

Jim.ME · Dec 31, 2018

I too, prefer block heaters, where available, over the external circulating heaters. No extra hoses that add points to leak or to get snagged on something. None of the heaters, block or tank, have to stay on 24/7 if sized properly, 2-3 hours of time on either will make the difference, based on my experience using both types on equipment and vehicles. As noted by Dieseltech, a heavy duty timer works good with heaters.

As for size, the John Deere kit for your 2040 is a 1000 watt circulating tank heater, as has been noted previously, it doesn't have the right location in the block for a block heater. Zerostart/Phillips and Kat's Five Star have them as well and hook up the same as the JD heater. The hook up of 3 and 4 cylinder tractors of this vintage are all similar to the one in this photo. This one is plumbed to the points JD recommends.

showcrop · Dec 31, 2018

Good for you that you don't believe in the use of starting fluid. Circumstances could convert you as they have tens of thousands of others. Starting fluid is better than some alternatives. I had a 2003 International dump truck with the huge caterpillar diesel. The truck came with a very large book supplied by Caterpillar about the proper care of their motor in order to insure longevity. It also came with a factory ether injection system as do many other vehicles.

caterpillar guy · Dec 31, 2018

I like block heaters. They all will work just some are better than others. We have 574with the lower radiator hose heater and it starts at any temperature we get here mid MI. The rest have block heaters. the block heaters work well just heat the water in the block so you don't necessarily feel a lot of heat elsewhere.

centash · Dec 31, 2018

I have a 1500 watt recirculation tank heater on my 2120. Those tractors had no factory preheat and were hard starters when cold . Plugged in for an hour, it will lift the temp gauge one third of the way up. Probably even warms up the hydraulic oil a bit. Keeping your tractor inside will help any type of heater do it's job. Even throwing a heavy blanket over the hood will help in the short term.
Ben

JK-NY · Dec 31, 2018

As mentioned a block heater is a big help. Keep the tractor inside , hold clutch down when starting and be sure your battery is in top shape. Check all battery and starter connections. If it can get below zero I would also have winter blend fuel and run a good fuel additive with anti-gel properties.

kcm.MN · Dec 31, 2018

(quoted from post at 04:19:20 12/31/18) If it doesn't get too cold where you live, just changing from conventional oil to a full synthetic for the engine will make a big difference. It doesn't get so stiff in the cold so the engine turns over faster.

This is what I do. If there's even a chance I might need to start an engine in the cold, I'll switch it over to full synthetic. Has made a WORLD of difference!

flying belgian · Dec 31, 2018

My preferred method is to lean a couple old road signs around tractor and blast the knipko in there for an hour. Not only will it start but everything is warmed up and ready to go. Including the seat.

Determined · Dec 31, 2018

My main winter machines are a Case 970 and 1070.
The 970 has a tank style heater and the 1070 has a block heater.

When I put the 1070 together the engine already had a block heater installed, I had a tank style heater in the shop I was going to install on it 2 years ago, but it starts so well with the block heater I have not bothered.

Plugged in overnight both start well.

-32 outside right now, I will be feeding the cows today and as long as something does not trip over a cord and pull a plug out both will fire right up without any starting fluid.

Once started 15-20 minutes to warm it up then start cycling the controls to warm up the hydraulic oil.

Baby it for the first bit while the rest of the machine try's to get the grease and oil moving.

Some use timers or plug in a few hours before they need them.

I would rather know they are warm and ready to go.

More than once we have woken up to a dark house because of a power failure, we have a UPS on the computer in the office that starts beeping as soon as the power goes out so it is like having a power alarm clock that wakes you up if the power goes out.
Walk outside and fire up the tractor that was plugged in while it is still warm and will still start is first priority.

If it is a feeding tractor or a snow removal tractor and you are in a cold climate and need to depend on it then be nice to it and keep it warm.

Crazy Horse · Dec 31, 2018

The older VW Beetles (air cooled of course) used an oil pan heater, an element was built right into the bottom of the oil pan on a removable plate (that also held the filter screen and drain plug). Worked well, not too much else they could have done. My Hondas (last one a 2007) always had a heading element bolted right against the engine block on the outside (even though there were frost plug holes in the block). Looked like one of those old BBQ briquette starters. Not sure if those frost plug caps could have been removed and an element located into the engine coolant in the block.

Bud Sather in MT · Dec 31, 2018

I sure like my 2000 watt circulating heater. If left on long enough the temp gauge will be moving. The 4010 likes to be heated before starting. Bud

jon f mn · Dec 31, 2018

Those case start very well. Our 870 and
970 would start well below zero with
nothing to help. A heater sure makes it
easier on the engine tho.

coshoo · Dec 31, 2018

I had to start a tractor that didn't have a block or tank heater, 15 degrees. I have a heat gun (like a hair dryer on steroids)- heated up the intake manifold, then took the air intake hose loose and shot the hot air into the intake while turning it over. Had to do a couple of repetitions, but I did get it started. If you have to routinely start on in the cold, a trouble lite under the manifold and the whole thing covered with a blanket helps a lot.

Determined · Dec 31, 2018

(quoted from post at 10:28:40 12/31/18) I had to start a tractor that didn't have a block or tank heater, 15 degrees. I have a heat gun (like a hair dryer on steroids)- heated up the intake manifold, then took the air intake hose loose and shot the hot air into the intake while turning it over. Had to do a couple of repetitions, but I did get it started. If you have to routinely start on in the cold, a trouble lite under the manifold and the whole thing covered with a blanket helps a lot.

When you mentioned a hair dryer it reminded me of girl I worked with years ago.

She drove a little 4 cylinder Chevy Chevette, it had been real cold out and she had not been able to get her car started for several days, not even a boost helped. (block heater was not working).

You use what you got handy so we ended up putting a hair dryer pointed at the engine under the hood, closed the hood and let it run for most of the afternoon.

Went out after work turned the key and it started first try.

No idea to this day why she had a hair dryer in the back seat of her car but it sure worked better than rubbing two sticks together.

Rick Anderson · Dec 31, 2018

I Dont know where you are located but we couldnt survive here in Sask. without them.

Crazy Horse · Dec 31, 2018

Determined ..... interesting story. My dad had 2 or 3 Chevettes back in the 80's, he really liked them. Back when I had VW's and the oil
pan heaters were on the blink .... or it was terribly cold and I wanted to supplement it a bit, I would put a trouble light into the engine
compartment with a 100 watt light bulb in it, then cover the back of the Beetle with a blanket tied down. Seemed to work OK. Other guys
used an oil dip stick heater, not sure how well they worked.

David G · Dec 31, 2018

Diesels have a double disadvantage in cold weather, thick oil and cold metal that must not cool combustion chamber.

guido · Dec 31, 2018

Hello Graveyard1984,

Yes they do work, and will prolong engine life. there are the cat's meow as one of my friends would say. Good for you on NOT using either, BAD way to overcome cold starting issues,

Guido.

buickanddeere · Dec 31, 2018

Starting a pre-warmed engine is superior to hammering a cold engine to life with ether.
In addition to holding the clutch pedal down. Install a front pump de-stroker to reduce load on the starter.
Less wear and tear on the starter, battery and alternator. reduced piston/bore wear and less oil dilution by starting a warm engine.
I would assume by now someone has mentioned the ground cable upgrade ?

bison · Dec 31, 2018

(quoted from post at 22:23:04 12/30/18) I have a 2040 john deere i have thought about putting a block heater on it to help it start better in cold weather. Do they work? Do they hurt any thing?
Is there any other tips or tricks for cold weather starting?

I don't believe in using starting fluid.

Thanks

The best surefire way to prevent that problem is to have that tractor in a heated shop or garage.John Deere's are lousy starters at the best of times

rusty6 · Dec 31, 2018

(quoted from post at 09:05:49 12/31/18) I Dont know where you are located but we couldnt survive here in Sask. without them.

Absolutely right! I have diesels that will start below the freezing point but it is not a pleasant experience, for me or the tractor. Some people are impressed by the clouds of smoke and the knocking cold diesel engine but I just see it as abuse that will shorten the life of the tractor. In extreme emergency I will use ether but I try to plan my work and allow time for the coolant heater to get the engine warm enough to start on one turn of the starter. And it does.

Determined · Dec 31, 2018

(quoted from post at 13:02:30 12/31/18) Hello Graveyard1984,

Yes they do work, and will prolong engine life. there are the cat's meow as one of my friends would say. Good for you on NOT using either, BAD way to overcome cold starting issues,

Guido.

As opposed to the cat's meow watch out for the cat's YEOWH.

Cat"s seem to learn quickly how nice and warm it is if they sit on top of the engine of a plugged in tractor.

Banging on the hood before you start the engine prevents this most of the time but every now and then the fan blades will shorten a tail or two.

Billy Shafer · Dec 31, 2018

I have used heaters for years on standby generators. They do work and wont hurt anything. Unless you get one that is a straight heater. Plug it in for a couple of hours then unplug it. Leave it on and they can cook an engine. You want one controlled by a thermostat.

SVcummins · Dec 31, 2018

Hmm this 4020 has been in an open field for over a
month a good battery and it started in just a couple
of revolutions low temperatures have been 2 below
and highs 20 degrees you?re probably the same guy
who thinks John Deere parts cost More .
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