Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 97 12-valve fuel heater

[K Bradbury]

I have possably my second fuel heater leaking. what would be the problem if the heater was eleminated?

 

[ScottLewis]

I've read of several members who removed the fuel heater. My take is that only those who live in really cold areas see a problem.



Dan

 

[JFaughn]

More info , how many miles / yrs. ?
If this is in a relatively short time/miles [ at least 100,000 , 10 yr. ] then weather you decide to got without is not as important as finding out why , if something is causing this to happen very often , then it can be causing issues els where .

 

[CogginsP]

I have never seen a single problem on these forums from someone saying that they had removed their fuel heaters. Some of those members live in some pretty cold climates as well. Joe G will be posting here pretty quick!

 

[Joe G.]

Throw it away. It's worthless even if you live in a very cold place.

 

[CogginsP]

Throw it away. It's worthless even if you live in a very cold place.

I called it :-laf:-laf .



Just asking some questions (and believe me I know these have been asked before) I understand that the Fuel heater does not help cold-starting, as there is plenty of cold fuel that comes post-fuel heater. But wouldn't the fuel heater help with warming all the other stuff that comes after to help with combustion and get the fuel flowing a little better (so it's not gelling). I haven't taken mine off yet, but I am going to once I take that pre-filter off to clean it. I'm just worried as I will be moving back up north once my time in New Orleans is done.

 

[Joe G.]

There is a hot fuel feedback to the fuel filter. It's the injector overflow pipe (aka manifold) that is attached to each injector and to the input fitting to the fuel filter. The fuel heater is not on for long if it's working right. It will burn up if it is. That's what's killing them. A stuck relay or burned up fuel temp sensor will cause the fuel heater to stay on and burn up. The only ones we detect are those that cause an air leak when they burn up. If there is no air leak you don't know if yours is working or not. If a fuel heater was between the fuel filter and the injection pump and could stay on in very cold conditions then it would be useful. The way the fuel heater is on our trucks makes it completely useless. And a potential "make you walk" contraption.

 

[KYOUNG]

I lost my fuel heater 3 years ago, truck starts fine even at Zeroooooo!!

 

[K Bradbury]

1997 with 185000miles the first fuel heater was leaking at the electric plug. the reason I am asking is the same engine is used in farm tractors and does not have a heater

 

[Joe G.]

So far the only application for the 5. 9 that uses a fuel heater that I know of is Dodge. Others have posted that UPS trucks with this engine do not use a fuel heater. Built in Dodge make you walk gadget at no extra charge.

 

[K Bradbury]

thanks for info. left heater in but bypassed it truck runs fine now. thanks again for the help

 

[Joe G.]

thanks for info. left heater in but bypassed it truck runs fine now. thanks again for the help

Not a good idea. You want the pre-filter screen in the bottom of the fuel heater/pre-filter assembly. It protects the lift pump. Remove the bottom of the assembly with a 17mm socket. Remove the fuel heater with an 8mm allen wrench. Put the bottom back on with out the fuel heater. The screw that holds the fuel heater in place is an adapter. The bottom has the same threads on it so it will screw in where the adapter screw was.