Fuel heaters, such as the FTG 6400 Series diesel fuel filter/heater/water separator, utilize coolant to transfer heat to the incoming diesel fuel, and are installed on the vacuum side of the fuel system and the pressure side of the coolant system. Incoming coolant circulates through the center of a heat-absorbing head and radiates out through four circular fins. Diesel fuel is heated as it flows through the coiled heat exchanger. After preheating, the fuel flows down to the spin-on filter and the siphon tube continually purges any trapped air.
“Cold diesel fuel can have flow issues and can also restrict or clog non-heated primary fuel filters,” said Robin MacDonald, sales manager for FTG Inc. “Excess or ‘free’ heat from the engine is transferred to the engine coolant which is then exchanged in the fuel heater/water separator.”
MacDonald explained that FTG fuel heaters range from $300 to $600, and ROI can be realized by avoiding one unexpected cold-weather related downtime service call.