Heating Your Fuel Lines

[mankypro]

I have a Artic Fox 14" heated fuel pickup in my waste oil tank and a Vegtherm Mega just before my fuel filter. Still the highest temps I can achieve are about 120-140'F according to my fuel temp gauge.

I'm considering adding a third method of heating my waste oil. I'm considering another inline heater, either another VegTherm or a coolant heat exchanger.

My question is - will having the oil heated BEFORE the lift pump hurt the lift pump over time? I'm hoping to get into the 200'F range.

 

[h2odrx]

I wonder this also? Where is the temp gauge sender? Do you have a filter coil? I would think 180 or 190 is as high as it will get?

 

[mankypro]

My temp sensor is just before the fitting that feeds the fuel filter itself, just post Vegtherm Mega.

No wrapped filter - if it were I could not tell the temp anyway as I could see no good way to check the fuel temp post filter, pre-IP.

I wonder this also? Where is the temp gauge sender? Do you have a filter coil? I would think 180 or 190 is as high as it will get?

 

[h2odrx]

You got a pre-filter? like a water separator? you could wrap that? that might help some? you already have the Fox heat pre lift pump?

My temp sensor is just before the fitting that feeds the fuel filter itself, just post Vegtherm Mega.

No wrapped filter - if it were I could not tell the temp anyway as I could see no good way to check the fuel temp post filter, pre-IP.

 

[hheynow]

I think you're losing heat from the tank to engine bay. Is your heated fuel line well insulated? Get a 26 plate coolant heated heat exchanger. Tee into the heater hose lines and place the FPHE just before the Vegtherm. Once the truck builds heat you will have reliable heat and it will raise the WMO temp considerably. Seeing 120-140*F will be history. The FPHE will give you 160*F easy and the Vegtherm another 10-20 degrees.

 

[mankypro]

Is there a heat exchanger that is particularly known to be effective and fairly priced?

I think you're losing heat from the tank to engine bay. Is your heated fuel line well insulated? Get a 26 plate coolant heated heat exchanger. Tee into the heater hose lines and place the FPHE just before the Vegtherm. Once the truck builds heat you will have reliable heat and it will raise the WMO temp considerably. Seeing 120-140*F will be history. The FPHE will give you 160*F easy and the Vegtherm another 10-20 degrees.

 

[mankypro]

Now that I think about it, I'd rather use another electric inline heater as I can easily switch it from the same relay as the current Vegtherm. I'd have to install a ball valve to shut off coolant to a FPHE for when I'm driving on diesel or bio alone.

 

[hheynow]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WVO-...ryZ33660QQihZ009QQitemZ190194629628QQtcZphoto

http://www.plantdrive.com/shop/product.php?productid=16139&cat=0&page=1

The 26 plate is the beefiest one. Since your Colorado winters are cold I don't recommend a thinner one as 13 and 20 plate HEs are also sold.

 

[hheynow]

Now that I think about it, I'd rather use another electric inline heater as I can easily switch it from the same relay as the current Vegtherm. I'd have to install a ball valve to shut off coolant to a FPHE for when I'm driving on diesel or bio alone.

I'd reconsider if I were you.
My rear tank of startup fuel runs through mine and gets to 160*F since my FPHE is after the Pollak valve.

 

[mankypro]

I've read elsewhere that heating your diesel is terrible for mpg? Have you noticed any drop in mpg?

I was thinking given the size of a FPHE (if I go this route) that I'd mount it along the frame rails where my heat exchanger coolant lines run to my rear tank and I'd be able to just cut into the line there...

For the record my fuel lines are not insulated at all. Given the fuel lines are 50% metal I wouldn't know what to do, any ideas?

I'd reconsider if I were you.
My rear tank of startup fuel runs through mine and gets to 160*F since my FPHE is after the Pollak valve.

 

[hheynow]

Nope, never cared to measure. The biggest concern to heating #2 is losing lubricity with the newly formulated ULSD but since I always use a minimum of B10 there is no issue. Also my WVO system returns a squirt of VO to my diesel tank every time I purge...more added lubricity.

 

[mankypro]

Hah. Given that I run WMO and no looped return I think I'm most likely more than OK in the lubricity dept when it comes to the #2 tank...

There's now a B100 pump about 15 miles away in Boulder supposedly. Maybe that's the ticket.

Nope, never cared to measure. The biggest concern to heating #2 is losing lubricity with the newly formulated ULSD but since I always use a minimum of B10 there is no issue. Also my WVO system returns a squirt of VO to my diesel tank every time I purge...more added lubricity.

 

[h2odrx]

so will heat kill the lift?

 

[mankypro]

I figure the heated pickup in tank get's the fuel at least flowing and out of the tank. Most likely heating it further before the lift pump is not that good an idea...

Well, my next big purchase will be the FPHE HHeynow suggested.

so will heat kill the lift?

 

[hheynow]

You're gonna be very satisfied.