Diesel fuel heater

[CJ Johansson]

OK, after lots of hoop jumping, I've finally found out how to order just the heating element out of the diesel fuel heater/strainer on the 12V engines (well, it also includes the upper square cut O-ring).



So, the part numbers are (Fleetguard):



Heater Element: 3907766 S (includes upper gasket 3834185 S)

Cable Harness: 3843722 S



The rest of the strainer kit, kinda as shown on the dodgeram.org site is (Fleetguard):



3845400 S Kit with screen, nut, and gasket ring



This is shown on that site with 2 extra 0's at the end. This confuses some parts places since Fleetguard numbers are 7 digits. For some reason, they like to put extra 0's on stuff when they mark it (the cable assy has these extra 0's too), but you don't use them when ordering.



This list should be everything you need to completely rebuild your strainer/heater.



-cj



Oh, I forgot, the heater & gasket was $28. 15, the cable assembly was $30. 02, the strainer kit $6. 02,

and price for the upper gasket alone is $0. 50.

 

[Cooker]

Thanks for the numbers.



It's always nice to have them laying around if in case something does need replacing. The part guys seem lost most of the time.

 

[Extreme1]

THANKS CJ!

A little late for me though.

2 years ago I tried to get just the heating element and harness. I started with my local Cummins place and ended up 1-800-diesels. I was told it couldn't be done and so I had to buy the assembly - $160! After I got it I took the number off it and tried to order the seperate parts. I was told the number were no good (on 1-800-diesels).

 

[CJ Johansson]

Re: THANKS CJ!

Originally posted by Extreme1

A little late for me though.

2 years ago I tried to get just the heating element and harness. I started with my local Cummins place and ended up 1-800-diesels. I was told it couldn't be done and so I had to buy the assembly - $160! After I got it I took the number off it and tried to order the seperate parts. I was told the number were no good (on 1-800-diesels).

Well, I don't have 'em in hand yet, but should have 'em next week.



The heater element had some numbers on it that were useless. We found 2 different heater element numbers (both looked the same according to the pictures) in a Fleetguard book. The Kenworth parts guy called Fleetguard the next day to find out which one is used on the Dodge Cummins trucks and the number turned out to be one of the 2 we found in the book. We also checked the size based on another application from the book, they showed it being used with a water separator/filter. He went and got one of the filters and, sure enough, it looked like a perfect fit to my burned up heater. So, I'm guessing it'll probably be the right one.



The cable assembly (my plug was burned up) had a number on a label up on the thermostat part. That number was Fleetguard 384372200S This wouldn't work in any computer lookup, even without the 2 zeros. Talking to Fleetguard, they immediately came back with it being a thermostat and cable. I really wanted to get just the plug that goes into the heater since the rest of the cable was fine. But, Fleetguard said the only way you can get the plug is on a cable assembly of some sort. Well, $30 isn't too bad for the whole thing. I'm sure you can find just the plug if you know where to look, but Fleetguard doesn't sell 'em.



-cj

 

[GAmes]

cj,

Did those parts ever arrive? Just went thru a nutroll with the local parts guy, finally found out there has to be a dash between the part number and the s. My manual says to remove the starter to service the strainer, is that necessary?

 

[Cooker]

You don't need to remove the starter. IMO, it isn't too bad to get at with the starter on. Maybe I have a little longer arm than most (I don't think so though)



Ryan

 

[CJ Johansson]

Originally posted by GAmes

cj,

Did those parts ever arrive? Just went thru a nutroll with the local parts guy, finally found out there has to be a dash between the part number and the s. My manual says to remove the starter to service the strainer, is that necessary?

The parts? Not yet. I gave them my cell number to call when they come in, and, I've been working all week in an area with no cell coverage Wouldn't ya know it, just when I have no fuel heater, the temps began dropping down to 4F so far, no problems and I can't even plug it in since I don't have power at home yet. I guess they must be blending for winter around here.



As for the strainer, no need to remove the starter. I suppose if you go at it from the bottom, you might need to remove the starter for access, but from the top it's not in the way at all, and as a plus, you don't dump diesel in your face I used a 17mm combo wrench (open/box ends), I used the box end so it'd be less likely to slip off. It seemed like there was loads of room to do everything, only it's a fair ways down. I suppose if you have short arms it'd be a reach. For me, since I'm 6'4", it was fairly easy. I did lay the spare tire for my flatbed trailer on the ground to use as a step so I could reach in there better. I suppose if you can't reach, just get a taller thing to stand on



-cj

 

[CJ Johansson]

Parts are in!

Well, I finally went and got the parts. They hadn't called me because the cable assembly was back ordered. I took my old one in when I picked up the heater element and the parts guy said he thought he'd seen something like that. He went out into the service area and got a cable off some sort of Kenworth air conditioning system. It was the right plug, so we cancelled the cable order, I'll just solder the new (used) plug on to my old cable and save the $30 for the new one.



So, on to the heater element. Internally, the construction is a bit different than the original, but otherwise, the size and shape are identical. So, I'm sure it'll fit, and, since Fleetguard says it's the right thing, I'm sure it'll work too



-cj

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Just took a look at the fleetguard website. It has a search feature that allows looking for components as well as checking the part numbers for fleetguard items. Apears real user friendly and has a direct order section for Fleetguard parts.



http://www.fleetguard.com