Fuel Heater Element
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Fuel Heater Element
I was wondering exactly how the fuel heater elements operate, do they stay on to heat up the fuel or shut off after a while, and how can one to check for proper operation? The reason, past couple of days it has snowed with temps in the single digits at night and 20's in the day. When I start up the truck in the afternoon (doesn't do it in morning because it is plugged in) in idles and runs rough until the engine has warmed up suffeciently. My injectors are noisier in cold weather, and power is not up to par. Almost feels like (and sounds) it is starving for fuel. Smokes for just a couple of minutes at idle, but it is a light smoke. Fuel filter is 5 or 6 months old, less than 1000 miles on 15-40w oil. It is an 01 PSD, with 81000 miles. I have a Superchips program that has been set for Hi Performance, but I am going to change to tow safe. The EBPV was removed a few months back, got stuck on me. And I have been using either Power Point or Deisel Kleen additives.
Thanks,
Ron W.
Thanks,
Ron W.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Central, Al
It is always powered and there is a thermostat that controls it in the housing. After you remove the 2 screws for the connector you can pull it out and the stat is part of it.
I have not been able to find anything on the range for the t-stat in the service manual though.
I have not been able to find anything on the range for the t-stat in the service manual though.
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It's my understanding the element is under the fuel filter housing so I would think there should be a wire harness for it. I dont know wether you could feel it heat up or not.I'll ask my friend but I think he told me he had to buy the filter housing because you can't just buy the element. Dave
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From: Middle Tennessee
I'm beginning to formulate an opinion that our trucks do not like HP tunes or chips trying to increase the HPO pressure when they are cold. I just don't think the viscosity is there when cold and based on my experience, mine performs poorly when on a HP setting as opposed to the stock one which is otherwise a dog when warm. Thank goodness I have a flip chip. Easy cure.
Your comment about it not doing it when it was plugged in but does it later in day leads me to believe it is not fuel related.
Your comment about it not doing it when it was plugged in but does it later in day leads me to believe it is not fuel related.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Rouleau, Saskatchewan
Mine stumbles on start up when it has been -35 these last few days, sitting out in the wind at work. In the morning when I first start up it runs fine, but that is in the garage. By the way it is plugged in all the time. I am thinking along with Tenn01PSD that the oil is very thick and it takes the pump a few seconds to get up to pressure. I still have 15w-40 but I got some 5w-40 syn yesterday and will be changing the oil tommorrow to see if that helps.
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Your comment about it not doing it when it was plugged in but does it later in day leads me to believe it is not fuel related.
The only thing it doesn't do when plugged in is run rough when started, but does everything else. When temperatures are at least in the 40's or higher there is no problem. Even after letting the truck run at idle and high idle for 5 or more minutes it won't smooth out until I have driven for a couple of hundred yards, depending on how cold it is. That is one reason I am thinking the heating element, the fuel isn't warm enough when it gets to the combustion chambers. The elements look easy enough to change. Even the fuel bowl looks easy if I have to buy that whole thing. Hopefully they won't cost too much and I can go ahead and change that.
I agree with Tenn on the chips and programmers. The truck does run a little better in tow safe than HP during the winter months.
Ron W.
The only thing it doesn't do when plugged in is run rough when started, but does everything else. When temperatures are at least in the 40's or higher there is no problem. Even after letting the truck run at idle and high idle for 5 or more minutes it won't smooth out until I have driven for a couple of hundred yards, depending on how cold it is. That is one reason I am thinking the heating element, the fuel isn't warm enough when it gets to the combustion chambers. The elements look easy enough to change. Even the fuel bowl looks easy if I have to buy that whole thing. Hopefully they won't cost too much and I can go ahead and change that.
I agree with Tenn on the chips and programmers. The truck does run a little better in tow safe than HP during the winter months.
Ron W.
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Just had a thought. Was reading another post about the o-rings on the fuel drain. I haven't noticed any fuel on the ground yet, but maybe in cold temps the o-rings have shrunk enough to allow a little bit of air to be entering the bowl, though I do not notice any smoke while driving. Could this be a possibilty?
Ron W.
Ron W.
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From: Middle Tennessee
Originally Posted by bushman31
Your comment about it not doing it when it was plugged in but does it later in day leads me to believe it is not fuel related.
The only thing it doesn't do when plugged in is run rough when started, but does everything else. When temperatures are at least in the 40's or higher there is no problem. Even after letting the truck run at idle and high idle for 5 or more minutes it won't smooth out until I have driven for a couple of hundred yards, depending on how cold it is. That is one reason I am thinking the heating element, the fuel isn't warm enough when it gets to the combustion chambers. The elements look easy enough to change. Even the fuel bowl looks easy if I have to buy that whole thing. Hopefully they won't cost too much and I can go ahead and change that.
I agree with Tenn on the chips and programmers. The truck does run a little better in tow safe than HP during the winter months.
Ron W.
The only thing it doesn't do when plugged in is run rough when started, but does everything else. When temperatures are at least in the 40's or higher there is no problem. Even after letting the truck run at idle and high idle for 5 or more minutes it won't smooth out until I have driven for a couple of hundred yards, depending on how cold it is. That is one reason I am thinking the heating element, the fuel isn't warm enough when it gets to the combustion chambers. The elements look easy enough to change. Even the fuel bowl looks easy if I have to buy that whole thing. Hopefully they won't cost too much and I can go ahead and change that.
I agree with Tenn on the chips and programmers. The truck does run a little better in tow safe than HP during the winter months.
Ron W.
Edit: have you done any fuel system mods? Hopefully you don't have an aeration issue which will lead to crappy pressure in the heads as it will compress. Is it really loud at first, cackling and or knocking until it warms up?
Last edited by Tenn01PSD350; Dec 1, 2006 at 05:51 PM.
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Tenn,
The EBV was removed a few months ago because it was sticking, and I have no fuel system mods. It will romp, when not plugged in, at start up. Sometimes for a minute or so, and sometimes until I have driven for a short distance (100 or so yards) depending on the weather. Don't hear any cackling noise, maybe a slight knocking noise at idle. The engine though (injectors?) is louder than normal when accelerating and a noticeable loss of power. The loss of power really shows when I accelerate from 50-55 mph and the truck is in overdrive. This occurs even after the engine is at normal temps. This all started when we got the snow storm and temps haven't exceeded 30 degrees since.
About a month ago I had my oil changed at Jiffy Lube. Supposed to have put in 15w-40, but since then I have suspected that they put in the wrong weight. I am going to change my oil, fuel filter, and check the fuel lines for cracks.
Ron W.
The EBV was removed a few months ago because it was sticking, and I have no fuel system mods. It will romp, when not plugged in, at start up. Sometimes for a minute or so, and sometimes until I have driven for a short distance (100 or so yards) depending on the weather. Don't hear any cackling noise, maybe a slight knocking noise at idle. The engine though (injectors?) is louder than normal when accelerating and a noticeable loss of power. The loss of power really shows when I accelerate from 50-55 mph and the truck is in overdrive. This occurs even after the engine is at normal temps. This all started when we got the snow storm and temps haven't exceeded 30 degrees since.
About a month ago I had my oil changed at Jiffy Lube. Supposed to have put in 15w-40, but since then I have suspected that they put in the wrong weight. I am going to change my oil, fuel filter, and check the fuel lines for cracks.
Ron W.
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