I've read a couple posts in threads where people are saying just unplug the fuel bowl heater & be done with it. Is this a good idea? Especially for me because I live in northern Minnesota & the winters here can get to -30 some days. The main reason I am asking about this is because the electrical pigtail that plugs into the fuel bowl heater on my truck is badly worn & frayed & I can not seem to find a replacement or a repair kit from anybody.

 

If it was a sunbelt truck, I would say ya, you could probably do away with it. In the snow belt like myself, its tough some times to get em going. The warmer the fuel the better the chance it will flash on combustion...IMO.

If it was me, I would hit a junkyard or two and splice in the connector.

 

That's my issue, I've been looking at every junkyard within 100 miles of me & nobody seems to have anything for 7.3L parts lol

 

Replace it. Gelling fuel can cause the filter to gum up and starve the engine, and without the heater there is also no WIF (Water in Fuel) sensor.

 

I live in central Indiana and see sub-zero temps from time to time. I unplugged my bowl heater years ago and haven't even had a fuel bowl for 2 or 3 years now. But I also have a DAHL-150 filter/water seperator pre-pump and a 10 micron post pump filter.

 

If you want to keep it Clay has them.

http://www.riffraffdiesel.com/mm5/me...Category_Code=

 

Thanks for the link BigAl but that's not what I need. I need the actual plug that plugs in on the back side of the fuel bowl. I sent Clay an email to see if he has or can get what I need.

 

NO... You do not need it. Unplug it and forget about it...

 

unplug it and eventually fuel bowl delete it. I live in the Pacific Northwest and havent needed it

 

Maybe think about it this way. If the element in the bowl shorts out it is going to blow the fuse that also runs the fuel pump. When it does work, it only heats the fuel in the bowl when you turn the key to ON for how many times you decide to cycle the glow plugs until you try to start. Fuel gelling is going to happen in the fuel lines before the bowl. Easy -30 degree starts are going to come from good operating GPR, GP's, Batts and synthetic oil and plugging in with a timer so it starts heating the oil an hour or so before you head out. That's my opinion on it.

 

Sorry quickly read through your post missed the plug part.

I agree that you likely will not need it, but I understand your concern.

If you still would like it, I think you will have better luck getting an entire fuel bowl, from someone who has deleted for a regulated return or such. I will have to look, but I might still have some around, if I didn't already give them away.

 

Wow, that is a pricey part, looked it up on tousley but in case you need it here's the PN F81Z-9J294-BA

Ford Parts - Tousley Ford Parts Depot

 

Thanks again BigAl. Ya ford really knows what they want for their parts. I called my local stealer today about the IPR plug & they want $86 for one! I just laughed becaus I know I can get that from Clay for $10 lol. So how bout the fact that I read that same plug controls the water in fuel sensor?

 

The "fuel bowl heater" isn't a fuel bowl heater. It's a fuel filter warmer. Have your ever noticed that the bottom of the filter has a tin plate and that the heater is the same size as the filter ? Its there to help expand gunk on the filter to let fuel pass easier.

 

You are correct, the Fuel bowl heater and the WIF sensor both are at that plug. I removed the fuel bowl heater wiring inside the bowl and still left the plug hooked up, since it uses water to complete the circuit between the wiring.