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Post Info TOPIC: Diesel Parking Heater Fuel Supply.
Cultureflab


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Diesel Parking Heater Fuel Supply.
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Greetings,

I am a new kid in the puddle!

I am fitting a diesel parking heater and don't want to fit an extra tank especially for it, if I can avoid it.

Can I put a tee piece in the engine fuel line (post filter)?  I am wondering whether the heater fuel pump would block (I hope) fuel running backwards up the heater fuel line and bring air into the engine's supply ?

I have found the forums very helpful and good humoured (which also helps). I am about to hit the road after years rebuilding my '85 LWB Urvan and glad to have finally joined in.

Look forward to some sound advice.

Thanks and kind regards,

Zi flab



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Peter_n_Margaret


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Yes you can.
Cheers,
Peter

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
Cultureflab


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Hello Peter,
How wonderful to get a response so quickly.
Thank you very much.
I hope I get the hang of this forum because I also have a lot of making fixing experience.
I thought it would be the case with the pump but just wanted a second opinion and not get stuck somewhere.
Thanks again and kind regards,
Hans

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Bosky


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I'm no expert on these things, but I'd be wary if the fuel system is a modern pressurised one as it could force fuel through the pump etc. even when you're not using the heater. OK on older vehicles that don't have a pressurised fuel line. That's why the norm is to take the feed from the fuel tank via a pipe that doesn't reach to the bottom of the tank (so that the heater can't suck the tank dry and leave you stranded.) If you do decide to fit a separate tank make sure that it is suitable for exposure to UV - two neighbours had to replace their tanks which split at the top because they weren't UV proof.



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Cultureflab


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Thanks for your reply Bosky.

I don't think my fuel line is pressurized as this is an '85 Nissan Urvan. There is a large knob that is the hand pump for bleeding air out when the fuel filter is changed. but it isn't under pressure as I just had the injectors out to be serviced and the pump is mechanical.  The thought of 'accidentally' emptying the tank is something I had thought about but considered I would 'thoughtfully' avoid.  Maybe its worth more consideration.  The tank, if I was to fit one would go in a compartment down behind the passenger seat where there is a radiator overflow reservoir (which I would have to relocate). There is no UV issue there more of one of heat from the engine bay which is just behind and beside the exhaust manifold.  This could be insulated off and well warm diesel fuel is always a plus in terms of efficient burning I guess.   I don't know what the parameters are regarding safe temperature of a diesel fuel tank.  I was going to use a 10 litre plastic jerry can which is quite thick walled and insulate the compartment walls with 4mm cement sheet.  All of which is quite a lot more work than a Tee piece in the fuel line.  The other consideration is that I put an additive in the fuel and am not 100% sure if that would effect the parking heater burn.

If you have any more to add, your thoughts are most helpful and welcome, I will give them consideration.  I always say two minds are better than one.

Gratefully,

Hans, (Zi flab)



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Bosky


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Regarding the use of an additive in your fuel (I assume you are talking about injector cleaner of some sort), I use one with my Ducatto, usually now adding a dose about every third tank fill after doing every fill when I started to use it. It has done some good as I no longer get a computer message warning me to check the glow plugs whenever I restart the engine once warm.

It hasn't had any effect that I'm aware of to the running of the diesel heater unless maybe it helps it to run cleaner? Standing behind the vehicle when the heater is running I can barely detect any fumes, whereas with my previous motorhome, where I didn't use any fuel additives, you wouldn't want to be parked behind me!

Cheers Bosky



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Cultureflab


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RE: Diesel Parking Heater Fuel and Air Supply.
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Thanks again Bosky.  Good to know the additive helps as I mistakenly ended up with a cheaper end Chinese copy of the D2.

Fitted the Air Intake today and put a layer of insect screen over the air slots of the Air Filter (which as you would know is not really a filter). I did see a version of the 'filter' with a white paper screen on the inside but cant find it again.  What was supplied has not a chance of filtering any dust or finer particulates. I don't want to fiddle with that too but as I don't want to starve or impede the needed air for the heaters functioning.

Have you any thoughts on this?

Thanks and kind regards,

Hans (Zi flab)



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Bosky


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RE: Diesel Parking Heater Fuel Supply.
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Hans

I did what you've done, fitted some fly screen on the inlet pipe as I didn't want to have hornets or something building a nest in there. If they decide to that in the exhaust pipe then that's their look-out! 

When you mount the fuel pump, as well as fixing it on an angle as the instructions tell you, see if you can insulate the pump mounting point by using a mount - don't know the proper name - that consists of two threaded studs bonded into a block of rubber. I found with the pump mounted directly on to the chassis the ticking sound it makes was fairly noticeable unless there was a lot of background noise, eg TV, to mask it.

Cheers



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Cultureflab


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Appreciate your help, we're on the same page with that one.

I didn't get installation instructions with it and now that you mention the fuel pump mounting angle I have downloaded them.

I have to wait for an exhaust extension pipe so the exhaust will clear the sides.  That should come in a couple of weeks.

Such a great community the 'Grey Wigs' as I call us.

I am plugging into the engine fuel line for now as a separate tank is quite a bit of work where I could mount it.

Hope all is well for you Bosky,

 Kind regards,

Hans

 



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