Well this Friday when I have some time (school is keeping me busy). I'll look into the fuel heater deal. Does anybody have a picture of this thing? I've heard about it but I've never gotten a close up look at it since I usually just change the filter by feel and a visual check to make sure its screwing on straight.

Thanks guys

P.S. I haven't seen any ULSD pumps around me yet. Our stations still have the 500ppm stickers on them . And I've been running power service (lots of it) religiously every tank .

 

I believe a piston or some other type lift pump upgrade is the only mod that will increse the pressure in that area. Even then we're taliking about only around 15psi max. Can't see that being enough to affect a widespread leak issue. Anything else adding fuel-wise will likely if anything, drop the prressure around the fuel filter, so no, I doubt it.

I just changed my fuel filter a week ago. Keeping my fingers crossed...

 

Mine was seeping a little before I added the Walbro, but I'm sure 25 psi pre-filter didn't slow the leak down any. It's still just seeping.

The fuel heater is held on by the filter spud, there is a slot across the end of it that you use big screwdriver bit on. If you can scare up a tool to use, it's a very simple job.

 

add me to it too. mine is leaking at same exact place

 

I just noticed mine leaking the other day. For me it seemed to be the day we got a little chilly with a cold front. I wasn't real cold, but cold enough for the grid to kick in. Prolly high 40's. For us in SW Fla that's chilly for this time of year

Den

 

I just changed the fuel heater gasket today. The old one had taken a little bit of a set - it was only half the thickness of the new one!

The tool to use is a drag link socket, they are a little hard to find locally but you can get them easily online. I was lucky enough to inherit a 9/16" Craftsman one from my grandfather. Never thought I'd use it, but it fits perfectly in the slot.

 

Did you use the socket to put the new gasket in or what?

 

Yeah. The nipple the filter screws onto is what holds the fuel heater on. You have to unscrew that nipple from the underside of the head. You need a really wide screwdriver blade (at least 9/16" wide) to bridge the hole in the middle and engage the slots on each side. That's what a drag link socket is - a wide slotted screwdriver bit that fits on a 1/2" ratchet. The only other way I can think of the remove it without damaging something is a very stiff putty knife, like one of those 5-in-1 painter's tools.

 

Gotcha. You are talking about that stainless post thing. Mine has a habbit of coming off with the fuel filter! But don't new filters come with a gasket for that dude? Are you talking about a different gasket?

 

The fuel heater is the plastic piece with the plug in the side of it just above the filter. There's a gasket between it and the bottom of the cylinder head. Cummins can get it for you, it's about $3.

If yours comes loose all the time I'm very surprised you don't have a gusher of a fuel leak up there.

 

Right now it's just a little moist. I cranked it in there last filter change with my large persuader screwdriver. I will replace that heater gasket though, thanks for the tip, again...

 

That nipple came out with the filter when I removed it, leaving the heater just hanging there. Thought that was a bit odd. Anyway, I just transferred the spud onto the new filter and screwed it all back together the same way it came apart.

 

I'm going to get the fuel heater gasket, seems fairly cheap easy to eliminate as a possible cause for my crappy mpg . I redid the water seperator deal and it seemed to keep it dry but I'm still getting lower economy. Would quick in town trips really put the hurting on my economy? I used to get about 300-350kms to about 1/2 a tank and its not anywhere close to that. I noticed that what looks to be a fuel return line (can't think of anything else that it would be) was all oily but it looks like that was created over time.

I'm starting to get real frustrated with this .

 

Well Im about to start working on the ol' girl and start eliminating possibilities for the leak. I figure it has to be one of the following:

1) Filter is leaking from a faulty gasket (part # for the the fuel heater gasket? anyone?). This problem started after I changed the filter so I think its my prime suspect

2) The return line to the tank is leaking, it sure looked grimey yesterday before I took it to the car wash.

3) Lift pump is leaking, could be possible since I accidentally cracked the housing when I installed the brass fuel inlet. I patched it with some epoxy but I can see its still leaking air (clear fuel line).

Any other suggestions guys?

Thanks
Lucas

 

Cummins part number ~ 3913695 (Seal, Rectangular Ring)