Fuel Cooler

[x MadMAX DIESEL]

On a puller your gonna have about 50* raise in temp or more from the start to the end of a pull. I think I ran anywhere from 72-80 fuel temp when I had my custom built cooler on it. I no longer use it. I believe about 100-110 has been the average this year for the start of the pull. Personally I can't tell a bit of difference. Though cooler the denser... But how hot will it get when compressed to 30,000 psi? I couldn't decide if it was worth it or not

 

[ShopSpecialties]

Here is a picture of my 26" Derale dual pass cooler mounted after my factory cooler. One more benefit to cool fuel is longer fuel filter life. At 140*+ the asphaltenes in the fuel start to drop out and this is what turns your filters black. Keeping your fuel temps below 140* will give you many benefits.

 

[Utahski]

A FICM gets very hot sitting on the valve cover. Fuel has to be hotter after going through that thing. Seems like moving it to cooler place would be an improvement, then keeping fuel out of it. Also maybe wrap the fuel line with heat repelling insulation.

 

[JoshH]

I pulled the return line with the lift pump running and the fuel literally sprays out of the hose (Savana). The engine is only burning around 30oz/min, which is a slow trickle in comparison. But like I said, let's see the data results from the "extensive testing". I'm seriously interested if you would like to post up. It's always good to learn about this stuff based on factual information.

Either that or don't make ridiculous blanket statements about never running the tank less than 1/4.

That is a priming pump only. It doesn't run when the engine is running.

Your "help" consisted of broadly stating people should not to run their fuel tanks lower than 1/4 because your "extensive" research reveals extreme fuel temps. I posted pictures to support my theory, you have posted nothing. And now you're conveniently "no longer interested in fuel cooling". Between the two of us, you're the only one creating fact-less gossip. I don't know why you're getting so butt hurt about being called out on an internet truck forum to support your claims.

It's really not a big deal. As I said before, I'd be interested in your data no matter which theory it proves correct. I haven't found any information supporting yours, so that's why I'm asking. No need to stomp around like a child saying "you are really stupid".

It seems to me that your pictures help support Mike's theory as much or more than yours. It's fairly obvious that the fuel in the tank will spill over the top of the cup until the fuel level drops so low that it is lower than the sides. At that point, your theory may hold some water, but if you keep enough fuel in the tank, the return fuel will be so diluted by the rest of the fuel in the tank it will help keep cooler fuel supplied to the engine.

 

[ShopSpecialties]

I always call a 1/2 tank of fuel an empty tank and fill up if possible. In 278,000+ miles of driving Moby the fuel temps start to go up at a 1/2 tank.

 

[c20elephant]

A few mount modifications, brass fittings and this B&M is close to the OEM size of 11"wide x 7"height x 3/4 thick, but, the OEM cooler is right up next to the tank would there be enough air flow through the cooler to make any difference?


B&M 70266 SuperCooler Automatic Transmission Cooler<O</O
<O</O
11" wide x 8"height x 1-1/2"thick<O</O

 

[Mike L.]

A few mount modifications, brass fittings and this B&M is close to the OEM size of 11"wide x 7"height x 3/4 thick, but, the OEM cooler is right up next to the tank would there be enough air flow through the cooler to make any difference?


B&M 70266 SuperCooler Automatic Transmission Cooler<O</O
<O</O
11" wide x 8"height x 1-1/2"thick<O</O

It's always better to have a bigger gap behind the cooler.

 

[slowlb7]

My truck don't have a fuel cooler the owner before me must have removed it don't mean its a good idea not to have one. I have been thinking of finding a stock one and installing it

 

[kivetts04dmax]

subd

 

[zf>allison]

Subd

 

[schulte]

This may be a very dumb question, but can coolers cool lower than ambient air temp? Never thought of it but I feel like they can if they have air flowing through them good

Coolers are only heat exchangers; you're taking energy out of the fuel and radiating it into the air.

You can only get below ambient using evaporation. If you were to spray water (or better water + alcohol) onto the cooler, you could theoretically get below ambient.

 

[C.bowles2]

This may be an extremely stupid question but doesn't a race plug stop the return flow to the tank or am I missing something? Just trying to learn more. So if it does turn the injection system into a return less system then only worrying about a cooler pre-cp3 would be an option? And how about when people do bottle tests and you should have no return flow? Am I missing something

 

[zf>allison]

This may be an extremely stupid question but doesn't a race plug stop the return flow to the tank or am I missing something? Just trying to learn more. So if it does turn the injection system into a return less system then only worrying about a cooler pre-cp3 would be an option? And how about when people do bottle tests and you should have no return flow?

it just stops the rail from dumping fuel pressure into the normal return line when pop off, pops. Still has normal return.

 

[schulte]

This may be an extremely stupid question but doesn't a race plug stop the return flow to the tank or am I missing something? Just trying to learn more. So if it does turn the injection system into a return less system then only worrying about a cooler pre-cp3 would be an option? And how about when people do bottle tests and you should have no return flow? Am I missing something

The CP3 also has a return, and all 8 injectors normally return some fuel even when in perfect condition.

 

[C.bowles2]

The CP3 also has a return, and all 8 injectors normally return some fuel even when in perfect condition.

Oh ok where does the cp3 return go? There's only one rerun line going to tank correct? And don't the injector reruns go to return fuel rail? I'm confused haha

 

[x MadMAX DIESEL]

It all goes into one line and comes back to the tank to recirculate in fuel tank before re use

 

[C.bowles2]

Ok thanks for the clarification, love learning new stuff

 

[hondarider552]

Got the fuel cell today, noticed it only had 2 -10AN returns, dropped it off at my work for a 3rd to be tig'd on. I plan on one will be strictly for the airdog return, one for engine return, and one for a vent. Should work a lot better than trying to piece together a -10 Y fittings and have it rigged together... :thumb:


Also, the tank has a 0-90ohm sending unit... would it be as simple as cutting factory level sensor harness, extending harness to my new tank, filling tank 1 gallon at a time, recording the voltage differences, and updating them in my tunes?

 

[PACougar]

Got the fuel cell today, noticed it only had 2 -10AN returns, dropped it off at my work for a 3rd to be tig'd on. I plan on one will be strictly for the airdog return, one for engine return, and one for a vent. Should work a lot better than trying to piece together a -10 Y fittings and have it rigged together... :thumb:


Also, the tank has a 0-90ohm sending unit... would it be as simple as cutting factory level sensor harness, extending harness to my new tank, filling tank 1 gallon at a time, recording the voltage differences, and updating them in my tunes?

Yeah, you should be able to rescale the gauge doing just that.

 

[hondarider552]

Shit, just realized I put that post in the wrong section.. My bad!