Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) preheater help

[Piersol]

As many of us, I have a rough running engine when cold. It runs great when it warms up so now that it is warm I thought I would clean the pre filter and check the heater. After removing the bowl the preheater was loose. I removed the preheater and checked it with an ohmmeter and it read 4 ohms so I guess its good. My question is should the heater be loose just by removing the bowl. I snugged it up while assembling it and the truck runs fine now but now I'm scared that it is supposed to be loose to allow for expansion or something. Can someone help out here. BTW the prefilter was perfectly clean after 116,000 miles. What a waste of time.

 

[illflem]

I'm not sure on what part you found loose but I don't recall anything that's supposed to be loose. You were right to tighten it up.

The fuel heater doesn't help with warm-up but instead melts any fuel particles that have started to gel so they can pass though the filter when the temps drop low.



I'll second you on waste of time cleaning the screen, did mine at about 20 and 50k, clean as can be, never touched it again, truck has over 200k now.

 

[Piersol]

what I meant was when I removed the bowl, the preheater itself was loose. That bolt with the allen head hole that holds the preheater was loose. Asd I said I tightened it up before I put the bowl back on.

 

[JJW_ND]

Check your timing!

Piersol... If you have never had your timing checked, I would and if it is below 15 it would go to atleast 15. It really helps with cold weather operation. Better starting, almost eliminates white smoke and you can run it up to the govenor (if need) as soon as you startup. No stumbling or rough running. THis assumes everthing else is in check.



jjw

ND