Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) fuel coolers??

[TomGolden]

With the recent threads on lift pumps, pusher pumps, VP44 failures, etc. , I recall seeing several posts relating to how #2 cools as well as lubricates both the lift pump and VP44, and posts about the temperature of the fuel as it gets circulated back through the system via the VP44 bypass valve. Has anyone looked at some sort of method of possibly cooling the fuel? Are there such things as inline coolers that could be used in the fuel lines, say between a pump back at the tank, and the VP44?



Just curious... .



Tom

 

[Texas Diesel]

Permacool makes some fuel coolers. I was wondering the same thing, guess you would need to have a way to measure the fuel temp first.



http://www.permacool.com/Catalog/Cat_page15.html

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

UNH-HUH!



Tom YOU were layin' there on yer back lookin' up at that new pump and lines - and remembering all these lube/cool threads TOO weren't ya!



*I* did the same thing - and was thinking how EASY it would be to install an auto transmission cooler in that line to reduce fuel temp on down the line...



No problem out here in the flatlands - might cause problems at high altitudes and colder winters tho'...

 

[nickleinonen]

the new duramax's use a fuel cooler. the high pressure common rail system heats that fuel real good. it is a remote mount one that is just in front of the tank. nexy years cummins HP common rail will probably have a cooler too. perhaps it could be possable to retrofit the gm or dodge one for your application.

 

[LaserBob]

Coolers

Hey guys,



I drove big rigs for over 20 years before I got into my CTD Dodge. I had Detroit engines the last ten years and found out that cool fuel was worth a solid . 5 to maybe 1 mpg in fuel mileage. If you stop to think that is based on a 5 to 6 mpg rig to start with, that is huge!



I just got a heavy duty trans oil cooler and mounted it somewhere in the air flow where it cooled when moving down the road. I think the secret to making it work the best is to cool the return fuel headed toward the tank. That fuel is the hottest and you can have the most effect on that fuel. You can only cool it relative to the outside temp available. I would install a valve setup with it so that I could shut it off in the winter. (Bypass it).



I have been thinking of doing this with my pickup, but haven't gone past the thinking stage.



Good luck to whoever does it. I think you will see results.



LaserBob

 

[Texas Diesel]

This may be worth experimenting with. Where would you splice the cooler in at? Between the filter and VP-44? Between lift pump and filter? Cooler fuel is gonna to be (theoretically denser) slightly more difficult to push through the filter and increasing the load on the lift pump = bad idea. The fuel picks up heat inside the VP-44 so why not cool the fuel after it leaves the VP-44 and before it gets to the tank?

 

[nickleinonen]

Re: Coolers

Originally posted by Bob Berends

Hey guys,



I drove big rigs for over 20 years before I got into my CTD Dodge. I had Detroit engines the last ten years and found out that cool fuel was worth a solid . 5 to maybe 1 mpg in fuel mileage. If you stop to think that is based on a 5 to 6 mpg rig to start with, that is huge!



I just got a heavy duty trans oil cooler and mounted it somewhere in the air flow where it cooled when moving down the road. I think the secret to making it work the best is to cool the return fuel headed toward the tank. That fuel is the hottest and you can have the most effect on that fuel. You can only cool it relative to the outside temp available. I would install a valve setup with it so that I could shut it off in the winter. (Bypass it).



I have been thinking of doing this with my pickup, but haven't gone past the thinking stage.



Good luck to whoever does it. I think you will see results.



LaserBob

i remember reading that diesel engines like warm fuel. it was in some text book from school that stated that ±150° [iirc] diesel will give you more fuel economy. now i am hearing that cooler is better? i know that diesel fuel heaters are avalable, and i know that if the fuel is too hot, it reduces the BTU of the fuel, just like if the fuel is too cold, it reduces the BTU. same goes for charge air cooled air. too hot or too cold, lower BTU



anyone here have straight answers. i am getting very right about now...

 

[A Johnson]

Cummins electronic engines start do derate @ 160* fuel temp. I believe some of the engines alter fueling commands to compensate for power loss due to hot fuel but I don't know if the ISB does this. I have solved a couple power complaints over the years by eliminating fuel heaters.

I would install the cooler in the fuel return line as was suggested. Most marine engines cool the return fuel. This would also eliminate potential air leak issues, turbulation etc when going thru the cooler. My . 02. A Johnson