Thermostart system replacement?

[SkyePN]

Is there a 12v electric intake heater element replacement for the thermostart system?

I'm sure the thermostart works fine when it's working, but my MF 135 doesn't have the diesel return line plumbing for it, and I'd rather not have the possibility of leaks into the intake if the valve fails.

In winter I just take out one of the air cleaner elements and blow a hot air gun into the intake for 10-20 seconds and it fires right up at least around freezing temps, so I don't think it would take much to replace it with an 12v electric heater.

Just curious if something is already out there before I cobble something together, maybe a grid heater for a truck, or a glow plug?

Thanks

 

[Mule Meat]

May do some web crawling for a 12 volt air intake heater. They are normally placed between the carb or throttle body and the air filter. Once wired up. The heating element heats up and feeds hot air into the cylinders.. The thing about using one on old equipment. It would need to be wired to a switch and operated manually instead of a thermocouple that would cut it off once the engine starts.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

Is there a 12v electric intake heater element replacement for the thermostart system?

I'm sure the thermostart works fine when it's working, but my MF 135 doesn't have the diesel return line plumbing for it, and I'd rather not have the possibility of leaks into the intake if the valve fails.

In winter I just take out one of the air cleaner elements and blow a hot air gun into the intake for 10-20 seconds and it fires right up at least around freezing temps, so I don't think it would take much to replace it with an 12v electric heater.

Just curious if something is already out there before I cobble something together, maybe a grid heater for a truck, or a glow plug?

Thanks

AC used to use a glow plug, which from the outside looked somewhat like a big spark plug. I never considered it before, but with your question, I'm wondering if the threads on it are the same as a thermostart unit?
I've not heard of a thermostart leaking fuel. My experience is quite the opposite -where they seem to plug up, and not inject any fuel.
My most recent experience was with a Perkins 4.248. When I bought it some of that system was missing. I fixed it up with new parts. But the 4.248 started enough better than some others, and I didn't use it in winter, that the thermostart didn't get used!

 

[showcrop]

The Ford four cylinder diesels used two heaters that looked basically like oversized spark plugs that threaded into the intake manifold and were operated by a momentary contact button through a relay.

 

[Dieseltech]

Your best bet is to use a coolant block heater, the 135 intake manifold is not deep enough for ANY electric heater I've seen, including the two that older Ford diesels used as most electric heaters have some length to them.

 

[DRussell]

Is there a 12v electric intake heater element replacement for the thermostart system?

I'm sure the thermostart works fine when it's working, but my MF 135 doesn't have the diesel return line plumbing for it, and I'd rather not have the possibility of leaks into the intake if the valve fails.

In winter I just take out one of the air cleaner elements and blow a hot air gun into the intake for 10-20 seconds and it fires right up at least around freezing temps, so I don't think it would take much to replace it with an 12v electric heater.

Just curious if something is already out there before I cobble something together, maybe a grid heater for a truck, or a glow plug?

Thanks

The 30 series Cases used an electric heater in the intake right before the manifold. At least my 1030 has one. You might be able to rig a Case one into your machine.

That being said. I agree with Dieseltech. Get a coolant block heater and plug it in prior to using it. You'll be way happier.

 

[Texasmark]

I forget which engine, maybe an early MF but on one 30ish HP engine there were 2 huge spark plugs mounted in the intake manifold. Like with the thermostart, you held the button depressed for a period of time and then attempted to start the engine. I never took one out to see specifically what the internal end consisted of, but apparently they were a starting aid.

The thing about Thermostart systems is that they suck glowing droplets of diesel fuel into the combustion chamber relying on the fact that a glowing blob of fuel would set off the combustion better/rather than hot air type attempts. You can remove the air inlet hose to the intake manifold, and peer into it to watch the TS device work. The heater coil of wire heats up to an orange glow and a few seconds later the temperature sensitive plug in the aux. Diesel line opens up and Diesel droplets start falling on the glowing coil and catch fire. If you have the starter rolling over, providing suction on the manifold, you can watch the glowing droplets disappear.....into the combustion chamber.

I have been running Ford Diesels for decades with TS and fuel leaks may occur, but no big deal....minor, easily fixed problem.

 

[Bob NY]

Is there a 12v electric intake heater element replacement for the thermostart system?

I'm sure the thermostart works fine when it's working, but my MF 135 doesn't have the diesel return line plumbing for it, and I'd rather not have the possibility of leaks into the intake if the valve fails.

In winter I just take out one of the air cleaner elements and blow a hot air gun into the intake for 10-20 seconds and it fires right up at least around freezing temps, so I don't think it would take much to replace it with an 12v electric heater.

Just curious if something is already out there before I cobble something together, maybe a grid heater for a truck, or a glow plug?

Thanks

Scroll down on this forum to a topic entitled "MF 165 glowplugs". Click on that and then scroll down to a post by "gdsemn". That will answer your question.

 

[SkyePN]

The 30 series Cases used an electric heater in the intake right before the manifold. At least my 1030 has one. You might be able to rig a Case one into your machine.

That being said. I agree with Dieseltech. Get a coolant block heater and plug it in prior to using it. You'll be way happier.

Interesting, I did a search and it doesn't sound like the Case intake heater is any more reliable:

"THIS PART IS NO LONGER SUPPLIED FOR SERVICE. DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS, POOR SERVICE LIFE, AND POOR HEATING EFFICIENCY. NO ALTERNATE WILL BE OFFERED. NOTE: AN ETHER KIT MAY BE FITTED TO THE UNIT. CUSTOMER SHOULD SEE DEALER DUE TO THE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS."

I can't use a block heater as my tractor is in a remote location and I need to use it to clear snow as soon as I arrive (hard on it, I know, but it's only a few times a year)

12v intake heater grids for diesel trucks seems to be pretty expensive, at least they are after you add shipping to Canada.

The thing about Thermostart systems is that they suck glowing droplets of diesel fuel into the combustion chamber relying on the fact that a glowing blob of fuel would set off the combustion better/rather than hot air type attempts.

Sounds like the original system works best, I already have a replacement thermostart switch, so I'll try and rig up a small can to gravity feed it. At least if it starts leaking it won't drain the whole tank.

Thanks

 

[Bob Bancroft]

Interesting, I did a search and it doesn't sound like the Case intake heater is any more reliable:

"THIS PART IS NO LONGER SUPPLIED FOR SERVICE. DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS, POOR SERVICE LIFE, AND POOR HEATING EFFICIENCY. NO ALTERNATE WILL BE OFFERED. NOTE: AN ETHER KIT MAY BE FITTED TO THE UNIT. CUSTOMER SHOULD SEE DEALER DUE TO THE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS."

I can't use a block heater as my tractor is in a remote location and I need to use it to clear snow as soon as I arrive (hard on it, I know, but it's only a few times a year)

12v intake heater grids for diesel trucks seems to be pretty expensive, at least they are after you add shipping to Canada.



Sounds like the original system works best, I already have a replacement thermostart switch, so I'll try and rig up a small can to gravity feed it. At least if it starts leaking it won't drain the whole tank.

Thanks

As I recall, that's the way they were set up originally- in the return line, such that while running, the supply line, canister, or whatever was filled, and there was not any chance for draining the tank.