2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Heater/ pre-heater

[GBrown]

I looking into dropping my heater/pre-filter and would like to know if there is a better way than what the shop manual says - by dropping the starter to get at the filter?



thanks



garry

 

[WilsonF]

If you let us know what year truck you have it might help. On my 96 4X4 I didn't remove the starter. Although I think I remember doing some of it from underneath. Do some research on the fuel heater and you may decide to leave it off, it doesn't do much and can lead to many problems. If you live in Fla. you will never need it.

Floyd

 

[MAleshire]

You can do the job from the bottom w/o doing anything with the starter. The bowl on the prefilter takes a 17 mm socket. Use a swivel head socket wrench or a wobble extension and have a bucket ready. The bowl is full of diesel and unless you want a bath you need to keep your face to the side. When you get the bowl off you can remove the adapter that holds the fuel heater in place with an 8mm allen wrench. Don't try to use a socket with an allen end because most likely it won't be long enough. Use the allen wrench with an adjustable wrench or a vise grips on the end of it. The adapter is in there pretty tight. There is a plug in the side of the fuel heater that needs to be unpluged to remove it. IMO you can throw the heater away because it's a troublesome POS and is really unneeded. If the old gasket from the pre-filter is in good shape re-use it, if not, order a pre-filter service kit from Cummins (FleetGard # 3845400-S) which includes a new gasket, new strainer basket, and the stamped nut to hold the basket in place. Don't try to use the gasket for the preheater on the prefilter bowl---it's too small. An easy job after you've done it once. Sorry if this is a lot more info than you wanted or needed. Good luck!



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