The connector on top of the fuel pre-heater burned up on me yesterday. Not a pleasant smell! And it took some time to find. Wires seem fine but the connector and button looking part that sits in the top of the assembly fell apart. So can I unplug the wires for now and buy parts tomorrow or will that mess something up? Also can I buy just the connector or will I have to get the whole assembly? It looks like it was held on with screws. Kind of hard to tell what it used to look like as it fell apart when I wiggled the wires.

One other question. Would this relate to a loss of power? Yesterday on our trip at about 10 degrees F, the truck seemed to idle lower than normal and had only about 3/4 of the power that it normaly does when towing. Other than that it seemed to start fine and run ok until you put your foot into it. Trans shifting was also very late. Might be unrealated problems but thought I would ask.
Thanks Everyone!

 

UPDATE: I just went out and removed the other wire terminal from the side of the heater. Fuel dripped out of the electrical plug hole in the heater. The wire connector is also saturated in fuel. I plugged it back in to hopefully help it not to lose prime. Doesn't seem like there should be fuel present at an electrical connection. Any ideas?

 

bound to be an air leak

 

Agreed. Plugging the terminal back in is only a temporary fix until I come up with a permanent solution. I did get the truck started and out of the garage, that was my "emergency". I will repost in the 12 valve section and try to figure out how to fix it right.
Thanks.

 

Fuel plays the main part in a diesel engine. The fuel heater will have an affect on the performance of the engine. See the temperature of the diesel fuel affect many things including fuel timing to the engine. Most likely what you were experiencing when you were towing was an alteration in fuel timing causing the engine to not run very efficient. Also it sounds like an air leak was present in the fuel system. This will also cause poor engine performance and lack of efficiency.


Dalton Enterprises

Evann

 

Lucky you do not have a fire. The heating element must of died and shorted causing the connector to melt. I would be very careful until it is repaired

 

That is what I thought too, thankfully no fire. I unplugged the main harness so there is no current running to the heater.

 

Common problem. Some folks eliminate the heater but I wouldn't in Montana let alone Alaska.
You can temporarily seal the leak up with silicone goop. It's on the suction side of the system and easy to seal.
I have the Cummins parts numbers you need on another computer, will post them for you this evening.

 

From Cummins

heater element upper quad ring 3834185-s
heater strainer kit 3845400-s
heater element 3907766-s
cable harness 3843722-s

 

Thanks Bill,
Got them the way. Seems like an easy fix. Hopefully with the rebuild it will last another 290,000 miles.

 

Hmmm..would anyone suggest to replace these, as a "Preventive" problem..say mine with 210,000 on it...1994