leaky fuel heater

[hoghead]

How hard is this thing to fix I am mildly mechanical with the proper guidance. My biggest concern is getting air in the lines and having to crack open the injectors if that is the case I will pay someone to do it for me,way to much trouble.

[bgilbert]

How hard is this thing to fix I am mildly mechanical with the proper guidance. My biggest concern is getting air in the lines and having to crack open the injectors if that is the case I will pay someone to do it for me,way to much trouble.

Easy. If you've ever replaced a fuel filter on that truck, you're 90% of the way there. I hear a drag link socket, maybe 9/16", if the best tool to use to remove the fuel heater adaptor (threaded piece). I don't have one, in the past I used a 18" or 24" prybar from underneath the truck. Used it as a screwdriver.

Remove fuel filter with WIF sensor.

From under the truck, place the 'prybar' into the slot of the adaptor. With a wrench that fits over the prybar, turn it. Or if it's loose enough you could probly just turn the prybar as a screwdriver without any help of a wrench.

With the adaptor removed, you can grab the fuel heater and pull it off the bottom of the cylinder head (course this is if it didn't already fall off when the adaptor was removed).

There is a o-ring seal ontop the heater. It probly has many miles on it and will need replaced to fix your leak. I just bought a couple from Cummins and will get the part number in a day or so if you need it. Was less than $2 and was not normal stock, had to be ordered, which is no big deal, just wait a week, or pay 10% or $10 and get it next day/engine down.

Replace the o-ring, install new fuel filter along with the adaptor 'square cut' gasket on top the filter and WIF sensor o-ring at the bottom. Both of which are included with a new fuel filter purchase. Fleetguard part number FS1232. Or FS1221, fuel filter with a bottom drain and no threaded port for a WIF sensor if you didn't want to mess with the occasional WIF light issue. There is no square cut gasket or o-ring when you purchase a FS1221.

[hoghead]

that doesnt sound to hard I think that I can do that myself thanks for breaking it down for me.

[wannadiesel]

You will probably find that the old o-ring has taken a set. My old one was about half the thickness of the new part. It sat flush with the top of the heater, no wonder it leaked.

[Fred S]

wanna, do you ever find them where the feed bolt is rusted or stuck to the heater element?

I had one on a guys 93 with 140K that was rusted and leaking and that tapered feed bolt was stuck to the housing for the element.

Took a little effort to break it free.

[wannadiesel]

Sounds like the filter didn't get drained often enough.

[hoghead]

mine was so seized up I couldnt break it loose had to trim the plastic housing where the wires plugged in and spun the whole thing off. Actually I didnt but my dads diesel mechanic/custom bike builder buddy did.