Hi All,

My hood was up tady with key in the run position and smoke was coming out of the hood (it was open)

I shut power off and it slowly sopeed. It appered to be coming from the fuel heater, I turned power back on (key in run) and sure enough it srated smoking, I shut it off right away.

Anyone else had thhis problem? I disconneted the plug and it runs fine without for now...

Cheers

 

I have seen quite a few fuel heater problems. Seems the element can start to short out and draw too much current. This may melt either the inline wiring connector (usually you won't be able to disconnect it- it fuses itself together.) Or it may melt the connector right at the element. I have seen them melt here badly enough that the truck will not run. (it can cause the fuel system to suck air).
Of course, a loose connection can generate enough heat to smoke the connector as well.
I have measured the current draw on these before, but I can't remember what it was.

 

The heating element and wiring harness are available from Cummins. DC wants to sell you the whole heater for twice the money. Torquefan is right in saying that it can cause the fuel system to suck air. When I disconnected mine, it sucked air around the connector pins so bad that I could hear it. I wrapped electrical tape around it while I waited for the parts to come.

The pre-heater is fairly easy to get at from the top. It'll save you from getting a diesel shower. Good luck.