Thermostart

Ultradog MN

Well-known Member
Location
Twin Cities
How effective is thermostart for cold weather starting?
I have all the parts to put it on my 3000 but haven't gotten 'round to it' yet.
I plug it in for a couple of hours before I need to use it and it starts pretty well but it usually still likes a whiff of ether - like about a half second blast to get rolling.
I hear all the horror stories about an engine being addicted to ether and would eliminate the use of it completely if thermostart was as effective.
Thanks
 
Mine worked a -9F one time. I have a 120V heater on it now but I use the thermostart if I forgot to plug it in etc.
 
Hi Jerry! I'd say thermostat is very helpful in that, being closed when the engine is cold, it "contains" the heated coolant circulating within the block -- provided you have the circ heater plumbed drawing from the side of the block and discharging below the thermostat.
An electric battery heating blanket makes a huge difference in battery strength when you're starting a cold engine too; I have one on my 5000 and my dexta. Either- in a very small shot- is an absolute last resort!
Best wishes for the festive season!
 
Well worth the installation time. If they are operating correctly they will eliminate the ether bursts. I have one on a 4000 3 cyl. And one on a MF 65. The Massy design works the best. The Ford thermostart works but is a little weak.
 
You talking a thermostat as in the cooling system or a block heater. A thermostat is not going to help the engine start but will make it warm up like it should and make sure condensation and that type of problem will not be there. But a thermostat will not keep the engine block warm so it starts better when it has sat for a week in say 0 degree temps. Only a coolant type block heater will help with that cold weather starting easy problems
 
I dont think he is referring to a thermostat. It really shouldnt make the tractor start any better, Just run warmer after starting. A thermostart must be some other gizmo.
 
Thermo START Not Stat
Part numbers 1 through 10 in the photo below.
It's kind of a glow plug in the intake manifold that trickles a small amount of fuel into the manifold and sets it on fire. Supposedly makes for quicker cold weather starts.
Thanks to all.

thermostart.gif
 
Here's a pic of the glow plug on the front end of the intake manifold.
Supposedly there is a bimetal spring that when heated up (electrically) causes the fuel to leak out and is set on fire. Makes the air in the manifold HOT and causes quicker starts.
This manifold is off a 3600 but all 3 cyl diesels have about the same deal.
If yours doesn't have the glow plug it will have a pipe plug there where you can install one.

100_10331.jpg
 
I would say it would be worth the trouble. Heating the air entering the engine makes a big difference. On my air compressor with a six-cyl ford diesel engine I haven't got a thermostart, but I disconnect the air-filter and direct the flame of a propane burner into the intake manifoild when I start it in cold conditions, and it fires up right away. Last time it hadn't been run for a couple of years, I only had a 50 Ah car battery and the temperature was appr 15°F. The engine hardly turned over more than two revolutions before starting.
 
I realize I probably don't need to point this out to you UD, but
since ether was brought up, I thought someone should mention the
danger in using ether in conjunction with a pre-heat system.
 
Ok that from what I see is more of less a manifold heater and I have had a few diesels that had them and yes they do help but so does a good old coolant block heater
 
It works reasonably well but it has it's limits. I've started them without a block heater down to probably 10 deg on your scale... Roughly -15C whatever that works out to. Beyond that they generally need a shot of blow.
If you are giving it some ether just hit it with ether and no preheat. The element doesn't get hot enough to light the ether unless mabey you're cranking and cranking... I've never had it happen anyway. There are times that I've had to start them unassisted (with ether) at -25C...

Rod
 
When I first received my 3600 the T-start was not working and did not have a block heater installed. Try not to "need" the tractor when it is too cold, but used ether a few times when it was cold to get it going. Put a block heater in it and a new Thermostart and haven"t needed ether since. Will start with only the Thermostart down to about 15degF, maybe colder but I plug it in if its going to be colder than that.

For the few dollars involved and pretty simple installation (unless you have a loader frame in the way) go ahead and install it. Doubt you will regret it.

~Kirk
 
I think a block heater is more effective than the Thermostart. My book says the Thermostart good to around 5°F.

Once you have a functioning Thermostart you won"t be able to use starting fluid UNLESS you disconnect the Thermostart. If you do use starting fluid with the Thermostart connected, you"re laible to blow the manifold and air cleaner off!
 
(quoted from post at 02:17:43 12/24/12) they are fabulous when your tractor is parked away from electricity.

That's how I'd put it too. The thermostart works well (mine didn't until I replaced the element 5-6 years ago, and I just noticed this year it needs replacing again.. no "pop" and no puff of smoke at around 25 seconds like it used to do) and I'm glad I have it.

But if i can plan ahead and plug the block heater in (in the garage, out of the wind) a few hours ahead of time there's no need for the thermostart.

If I could only have one, I'd take the block heater.

Greg
 

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