FASS/AirDog Installs in Cold Climates

[CBrittan]

I am debating the merits of removing my lift pump and installing either the FASS or AirDog, not for horsepower gains, but simply to eliminate the prospect of a lift pump failure. I have read the various threads on the attributes of the FASS/AirDog and other pumps and do not wish to reopen debate on this subject.



I do need to know if anyone has installed either in cold climates (like down to zero f) either with, or without a fuel heater. If you are using a fuel heater, what might it be? If you have installed without a fuel heater, what is your experience? Any advice on the issue of cold climate and the FASS/AirDog would be appreciated.

 

[nickleinonen]

i was thinking of the fass, but that new racor system has really caught my eye... primary 10 micron filter/water separator and secondary 2 micron filter with brushless motor on the pump which is digitally controled via internal circuit board allowing variable pressure... just need to find a price on it...

 

[JPereira]

I thought the 3rd gens, like mine the 4. 5 HO did not need to worry about lift pump failures? I will also be looking to replace the stock pump and filter but to hopefully gain some mileage. (And that power we all enjoy!)



Jeff

 

[bpenrod]

I run the FASS and had zero problems in 6 below weather this winter. The pressure seems to go up a few pounds when really cold but that is it.

 

[frijole]

Racor assy

Nick, Shooter and I were just out today looking at various filtration products for our fuel systems. We ran onto the Racor stuff, but the catalog we got didn't include the assembly you described. What's the latest information you have on the product? Sounds like the cats *****. Thanks, Ron

 

[jwilliams3]

No problems in the cold with my FASS.

 

[BIG BOB]

i was thinking of the fass, but that new racor system has really caught my eye... primary 10 micron filter/water separator and secondary 2 micron filter with brushless motor on the pump which is digitally controled via internal circuit board allowing variable pressure... just need to find a price on it...

Can you post a link to the Racor system.

Thanks

 

[Fireman]

CBrittan,



If you search this forum and the "products/accessories" forum there are tons of info. I would highly recomend this. I found one in the products/accessories forum where someone piggy backed a Racor heater onto his AirDog. I recently installed an AirDog and posted a warning about my AirDog/ Jacobs combination. The AirDog comes complete with everything needed to install it on a STOCK truck. The fuel line goes directly to the injection pump, therein lies the problem. The Jacobs exhaust brake uses and add-on vacuum pump that is mounted over the inlet to the injection pump making connection there impossible. I called Eskam (makers of the AirDog) and they had a fitting that replaced the stock lift pump and routed the fuel through the stock filter cannister, thus retaining the stock fuel heater. If you order an AirDog INSIST that they send you this fitting, it only costs $10. 20. I'm very happy with mine and with Eskam's customer service. As I stated earlier the kit is complete. It is well designed and built and easy to install. It also comes with a bracket that mounts the unit inside the frame rails, with no drilling of the frame required, and the filters sit higher than the bottom of the frame rails. (They don't hang down low). I can't remember now if your sig said if you had 4WD or not, but if you do it mounts just behind, and higher than, the transfer case skidplate. Don't mount it above the skidplate, as you will not be able to change the filters.



Fireman

 

[CBrittan]

Thank you Fireman. I do have a Jacobs brake, so you have identified a potential installation problem I was not aware of. I particularly like the idea of retaining the stock filter/heater assembly, which resolves the fuel heater problem, and should eliminate warranty claim issues. If I correctly understand your post here, the AirDog would be installed in the fuel line between the fuel tank and the stock filer/heater, on the frame and not in the engine compartment



Given my climate here, I always use winter fuel additives to reduce the risk of fuel gel and water problems.



Was there a particular reason you chose the AirDog over the FASS?

 

[BarryG]

When I was investigating the products I called Charles at Preporator/Airdog and spoke with him at length about his product. He told me they were coming out with a heated version of the airdog which did not use the coolant lines like the Fass was capable of. It would be an electric heat setup. Might be worth a call and see where that is at.

 

[F-15I Ra'am]

Fireman,could you post pics of your AirDog?Where it's installed under the frame.

 

[CBrittan]

Called Ekstam and ordered the AirDog with extra filters and the part required to eliminate the stock lift pump but retain the stock filter and fuel heater. Have the Installation manual which I downloaded, and looks to me like my local Dodge Cummins diesel mechanic should have no problems with the install.



Any issues related to fuel heaters at the AirDog on the frame rail I can deal with via a number of fuel line heaters commonly available should I have a gelling problem in the future.



Thank you for your advice, specially Fireman!

 

[AK RAM]

No problems with my FASS in the cold so far... ... and it gets cold.

 

[nickleinonen]

i haven't seen a online thing about the filter setup, but it was in the last issue of diesel progress magazine... . i can scan the article and post it in my picture gallery in my sig...



and just a note: the new diesel progress mag came today and there is a 3 page bit on the new off road 6. 7 QSB engine... NO EGR on it until tier 4 [egr is evil]



***edit***



page one on the racor fuel filter setup

page two on the racor fuel filter setup



under the picture in the link, there is another link to view full size... if you click that, it will open in a new window full size to make it easier to read [both are ±1750x2400 res... ]

 

[cpeters]

Had mine in Illinois this winter at 10 deg and never had a problem with cold starts or running down the road.

 

[Fireman]

CBrittan,



You will be running NEW 1/2" fuel lines from the tank to the AirDog and from the AirDog to the stock fuel filter. It's all part of the kit.



Fireman