Fuel Heater Non-Problem Problem Question
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: California, unfortunately
Fuel Heater Non-Problem Problem Question
I found that removing the fuel heater from the fuel bowl made it much easier to clean out the fuel bowl. And since I had the heater out, I decided to check it. The heating element is fine (R = 1.2 ohms), but the thermal fuse which is wired in series with it is bad (open). A new heater is about $50, but a thermal fuse can be had for about $1. Problem is, I don't know what temperature "too hot" is and thermal fuses come in maaaany temperature values.
Does anyone know what maximum temperature fuel should "not" exceed in the fuel bowl?
(I live about 5000' up in the Sierra Nevadas and it can get pretty cold in the winter; I don't want to just leave the fuel heater as is. I want to fix it, but I'm also a tight-wad... $1 good
$50 bad
.)
Kinsey
Does anyone know what maximum temperature fuel should "not" exceed in the fuel bowl?
(I live about 5000' up in the Sierra Nevadas and it can get pretty cold in the winter; I don't want to just leave the fuel heater as is. I want to fix it, but I'm also a tight-wad... $1 good
$50 bad.)Kinsey
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Welcome to FTE. I'm sure we can find the right answer for you, but I wouldn't get too hung up on that little heater. I understand it gets cold where you live and not where I live, but let me ask you this.
How many gallons of fuel are in your fuel tank? How much fuel is in the fuel lines stretched out along the frame rail under the truck, or stuck inside your fuel pump? Now let's compare that to how many ounces of fuel are in the fuel filter bowl when a filter is in there. Heating that tiny amount of fuel for a couple of seconds won't do you any good if the fuel is gelled.
There are lots of guys up North where it does get cold that have gotten rid of the fuel bowl heater with no ill effects. If you're worried about gelled fuel, I'd look into a regulated return system where the fuel flows through the engine block before returning back to the tank so you're actually getting some real heat back into the fuel tank after the engine warms up.
How many gallons of fuel are in your fuel tank? How much fuel is in the fuel lines stretched out along the frame rail under the truck, or stuck inside your fuel pump? Now let's compare that to how many ounces of fuel are in the fuel filter bowl when a filter is in there. Heating that tiny amount of fuel for a couple of seconds won't do you any good if the fuel is gelled.
There are lots of guys up North where it does get cold that have gotten rid of the fuel bowl heater with no ill effects. If you're worried about gelled fuel, I'd look into a regulated return system where the fuel flows through the engine block before returning back to the tank so you're actually getting some real heat back into the fuel tank after the engine warms up.
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: California, unfortunately
Thanks for the feedback guys; I really appreciate it!
I'm sure you guys are probably correct about not needing the fuel bowl heater. For all I know mine has been inoperative for years.
The placement of the heater in the fuel bowl below the filter does seem logical to me though. The fuel filter will become clogged with paraffin at maybe 5 degrees below the fuel's cloud point, but a fuel's cloud point can be as much as 15 degrees above it's pour point. In other words (if I'm thinking about this correctly) paraffin crystals start out small and grow larger as temperature drops; therefore the filter will begin blocking paraffin before the fuel line does--diesel slush can be pumped and flow through a pipe, but not through a filter.
I suppose my main motivation is just wanting to say that I fixed a $50 problem for a buck! Cheap is cool.
Kinsey
I'm sure you guys are probably correct about not needing the fuel bowl heater. For all I know mine has been inoperative for years.
The placement of the heater in the fuel bowl below the filter does seem logical to me though. The fuel filter will become clogged with paraffin at maybe 5 degrees below the fuel's cloud point, but a fuel's cloud point can be as much as 15 degrees above it's pour point. In other words (if I'm thinking about this correctly) paraffin crystals start out small and grow larger as temperature drops; therefore the filter will begin blocking paraffin before the fuel line does--diesel slush can be pumped and flow through a pipe, but not through a filter.
I suppose my main motivation is just wanting to say that I fixed a $50 problem for a buck! Cheap is cool.
Kinsey
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
Thanks for the feedback guys; I really appreciate it!
I'm sure you guys are probably correct about not needing the fuel bowl heater. For all I know mine has been inoperative for years.
The placement of the heater in the fuel bowl below the filter does seem logical to me though. The fuel filter will become clogged with paraffin at maybe 5 degrees below the fuel's cloud point, but a fuel's cloud point can be as much as 15 degrees above it's pour point. In other words (if I'm thinking about this correctly) paraffin crystals start out small and grow larger as temperature drops; therefore the filter will begin blocking paraffin before the fuel line does--diesel slush can be pumped and flow through a pipe, but not through a filter.
I suppose my main motivation is just wanting to say that I fixed a $50 problem for a buck! Cheap is cool.
Kinsey
I'm sure you guys are probably correct about not needing the fuel bowl heater. For all I know mine has been inoperative for years.
The placement of the heater in the fuel bowl below the filter does seem logical to me though. The fuel filter will become clogged with paraffin at maybe 5 degrees below the fuel's cloud point, but a fuel's cloud point can be as much as 15 degrees above it's pour point. In other words (if I'm thinking about this correctly) paraffin crystals start out small and grow larger as temperature drops; therefore the filter will begin blocking paraffin before the fuel line does--diesel slush can be pumped and flow through a pipe, but not through a filter.
I suppose my main motivation is just wanting to say that I fixed a $50 problem for a buck! Cheap is cool.
Kinsey
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Belgrade, MT
I am with neal on the extra filter and draining water. I live in MT, and it gets butt freezin cold here, and have had mine and a friends heater deleted for 2 years, no issues at -30, but I do use the Diesel Kleen religeously during winter for added anti gel, my buddy, not so much, maint isn't his cupof tea, and he still runs.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
I am with neal on the extra filter and draining water. I live in MT, and it gets butt freezin cold here, and have had mine and a friends heater deleted for 2 years, no issues at -30, but I do use the Diesel Kleen religeously during winter for added anti gel, my buddy, not so much, maint isn't his cupof tea, and he still runs.
to prevent it from freezing up. Of course that was to use the refrigeration to keep the vegetables on the backhaul from freezing 
!
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