Fuel Heater Not Working?

[ben]

Things went a little haywire this am. It's -20 outside. Started the truck, 16 psi fp, went in side to get ready.

Now when I came out, fp has dropped to 10 pounds and holding. On the way to work fp is down to about 8 lbs steady.

I'm thinking that I am gelling up here. Which kind of blows my mind due to my fuel is 2:1 of #1 and #2 and with a full bottle of PS white. Never had this problem before even at -40. It really shouldn't be gelling up on me.

Here's my question. Does the fuel heater only work when the trucks running , when you plug in, or both. Is this something that goes bad?

My truck during the winter is either running or plugged in, so that isn't an issue.

Gonna change the filters out this afternoon while it's still warm (7 for a high) and recheck the connection for the fuel heater. I had all of that off when I put the MAD in so who knows.

Also, the FASS sounds just fine, so I'm HOPING its not that....

Thanks in advance guys.

__________________
01.5 QC ETH/DEE 4x4
DDP 4's, Smarty, Super B, Fass II/Vulcan, Hol'd Scotty II, Con ofe, 5" exhaust, Autometer Boost, Pyro, FP, and Trans 404/872

[Tom05]

Must be something in the air eh Ben? The fuel heater only runs when the key is on. Could it be a filter plugging? I wonder if the heater is not quite plugged in all the way? It should keep running, mine has at temps cold as that without the anti-gell, just 50/50. I don't remember, is there a pre-screen on the 24V like the 12V? Good luck, when you get yours done c'mon over and help get mine going again too.......................
Tom

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www.midwestdieselconnection.com

[Mopar1973Man]

Originally Posted by ben

Here's my question. Does the fuel heater only work when the trucks running , when you plug in, or both. Is this something that goes bad?

As far I as I know the fuel heat is thermostatically controlled while the engine is running. But as for the lower pressures. It farily normal. I normally would cruise 12-12.5 PSI but with this cold weather its down to 9-10...

That is without PS or any additive...

__________________

Michael Nelson - 2002 Dodge Cummins

[ben]

Ok. I'll double check the connections on the heater and I'm changing out both filters.

Time to go to strait #1. Blech. Gives better FP anyhow and a little piece of mind when the highs are only going to be -7.

If it's the FASS I am gonna be ticked to say the least. Never had a pressure drop THIS bad before.

Thanks for your time guys. Will keep you posted.

__________________
01.5 QC ETH/DEE 4x4
DDP 4's, Smarty, Super B, Fass II/Vulcan, Hol'd Scotty II, Con ofe, 5" exhaust, Autometer Boost, Pyro, FP, and Trans 404/872

[ben]

What do you guys think if one of those little glue on low wattage heaters attached to the fuel canister. Hook it up with the block heater. Think that would work for by keep the cannister warm, when th etrucks not running?

Just a thought.

__________________
01.5 QC ETH/DEE 4x4
DDP 4's, Smarty, Super B, Fass II/Vulcan, Hol'd Scotty II, Con ofe, 5" exhaust, Autometer Boost, Pyro, FP, and Trans 404/872

[ben]

Fuel filter was funky. It was a dark yellow color and had a real odd smell to it. Almost like turpentine. Never experienced that before. At the moment FP seems to be back to normal. No road test yet. But idling and a couple good revs, it doesn't budge.

While I was at it, I changed oil, the FASS prefilter, and put a cold front on. Feel a little better anyhow. Supposed to be -24 tonite and a high of -7 tomorrow. We shall see.

Learned 1 good lesson tho. If your tank is full and you change out the Fass prefilter, have vise grips handy. I was thinking that the tank side of the line sure did hold alot.....What a dunce. Need to go to valve and spin on set-up.

__________________
01.5 QC ETH/DEE 4x4
DDP 4's, Smarty, Super B, Fass II/Vulcan, Hol'd Scotty II, Con ofe, 5" exhaust, Autometer Boost, Pyro, FP, and Trans 404/872

[Tom05]

Glad you got yours taken care of. I found my leak. It is the rubber return line. Hey, take a look at this: http://www.mntdr.org/nomntdr.php
Tom

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www.midwestdieselconnection.com

[ben]

Tom, sounds good. An afternoon in the big city might be fun!!! Will have to check my work calendar.

__________________
01.5 QC ETH/DEE 4x4
DDP 4's, Smarty, Super B, Fass II/Vulcan, Hol'd Scotty II, Con ofe, 5" exhaust, Autometer Boost, Pyro, FP, and Trans 404/872

[Jeff H]

That yellow ish color is probably the soy added to the fuel. We've been having issues with the soy in diesel clogging filters in really cold days. Yesterday I had two refrigerated trailers gellen up. I get out the electric heat gun and thaw out the filters and lines. Usually with in an hour were back in bussines.

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1995 Dodge 4x4 5spd 5.9 Cummins 175 hp engine. 275k miles http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=jdhein974

[ben]

Originally Posted by Jeff H

That yellow ish color is probably the soy added to the fuel. We've been having issues with the soy in diesel clogging filters in really cold days. Yesterday I had two refrigerated trailers gellen up. I get out the electric heat gun and thaw out the filters and lines. Usually with in an hour were back in bussines.

BINGO!!!!! Give this man a cookie and a hot buttered rum!!!! Fuel pressure started flaking out AGAIN yesterday. Less than 15 miles on the new filter.

The pumps I have been getting my #1 out of are the "Biodiesel" pumps in the summer. I'm figuring its bio residue causing this problem. If left in the "somewhat" warm FP is fine. It was reaaaaal cold yesterday outside.

My next door neighbor said the exact same thing last nite Jeff. I was starting to think that the Fass pump wasn't up to task in real cold temps. Then he said that and it all clicked.

Time to find a new fuel stop........

__________________
01.5 QC ETH/DEE 4x4
DDP 4's, Smarty, Super B, Fass II/Vulcan, Hol'd Scotty II, Con ofe, 5" exhaust, Autometer Boost, Pyro, FP, and Trans 404/872

Glad to hear you got it all figgured out

DM

[Jeff H]

Some day I'm going to build a coolant heated fuel heater. Its way more effective in heating fuel up. Plus its free heat well almost?

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1995 Dodge 4x4 5spd 5.9 Cummins 175 hp engine. 275k miles http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=jdhein974