Fuel Heater

[Begle1]

When is the fuel heater on?

Is it always on or only below a certain temperature?



Does it really do any good?

[Ace]

I don't know, but I lost mine when I went to relocated filter setup two years ago and drove in some pretty cold temps since (0f) with no problem. I suppose it would help to keep it running or help prevent the filter from plugging as it was already running. But I think if the fuel is gonna gel, you're gonna get stuck sooner or later regardless of that heater.

[bgilbert]

At minimum I suggest unplugging it.

[cougar]

The fuel heater has an internal thermostat that cycles it. It doesn't get hot, but hot enough to keep the wax from clogging the filter. In cols climates like mine, you need it mainly for start up and warm up.
http://www.arctic-fox.com/
makes in-line fuel heaters that work quite well when the Husk's are huddling.

[Mark Nixon]

The cool thing about these engines is that they have fuel return systems on them, so, theoretically, if the engine is running fuel is always moving.
Liquid, especailly oily liquid creates friction within itself, so if it's in motion, it's creating it's own 'heat' so to speak.
After about 10-15 minutes the fuel is usually warmer than air temperature, or even double it.

I once converted a '74 1 ton C&C 1-ton over to '92 Cummins power and never even KNEW about the heater above the fuel filter.
I had to lay over up in the Rockies near Loveland in January of '05, with temps around -20 below and it didn't gell and fired right off the next morning.
I did get the coolant a bit warm with a generator to run the block heater for an hour before I fired it up.

Never had one gell, but I have fallen victim to the cleaning attributes of Bio-Diesel and how it can lead to plugged filters.

Mark.