FPHE or heated fuel filter
 

Just a question for all you greasers out there. Which would you prefer to use to heat WVO in a two tank system, a decent sized FPHE or a heated fuel filter? Please give your pros and cons of each if you do not mind. Just looking for some input/ideas.

Thanks,

Glenn

Also, for those who use an FPHE, how exactly did you plumb it in to your cooling/heating system? Thanks

Personally, the fuel line in a line is not so hot. Too much heat loss and trying to heat too much grease. I got a massive 60 plate HE which holds over a quart. I am in the process of completing my third system, and I am thinking that once I get one qt heated at 180-ish within a few minutes, and a thermaline on 30" of line for about 2 min while the temps are going up is the way to go. Just my .02 cents.

Both
 

I heat the fuel filter o it does not clog and it flow nice. And the FPHE is to heat up the fuel so that it is hot going into the engine. I use Hose on Hose from the tank to the Filter and FPHE.

On my 1984 300SD the coolant out of the engine goes to the FPHE then the filter then the tank. Then returns to the circulator pump.

On my 2005 E320 CDI the coolant comes out of the engine and goes to the FPHE then the filter then the tank and returns to the EGR cooler. Sort of since that is disconnected.

The only thing that concerns me using an FPHE is that if it springs a leak internally wouldn't that allow coolant into the fuel system and vice versa?

Ok, one last question. Could anyone who has put an FPHE on a 300D give a description (or better yet a few pictures) of how they did the install? If I go that route I'm thinking a decent 20 plate cooler would work well in our pacific northwest climate.

FPHE
 

If you are worried about a brand new FPHE and you are running used fryer grease in a 30 year old car. That is one of the last things that is going to break. It is basically a metal brick.

Wrap it good with insulation (plumbing pipe) works good. Mount on the drivers side.

GOOD POINT!! <Grin>

I used a fphe, and injector line heaters to insure fuel was hot,they would turn off in warm weather.To hook fphe I cut heater hose near alternator and installed brass tee,from Lowes.I cut another heater hose coming out of the head where it has a sraight section before disappearing behind fire wall.Inserted brass tee.I had a big fphe and used half inch hose to fphe.ran hoses in front of radiator and condesor.I mixed my oil for winter use with diesel,and cold pumped it with a extra 12 psi electric fuel pump.

Do you happen to remember the size of the brass hose tee you used. I'm going to either Lowes or Home depot tomorrow. It looks like they both offer 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch fittings. I think our heater hoses are 5/8" so I'm wondering which size fitting would work better?

I do both
 

I've got a favorite setup. The newer 124 and 210 Mercedes have heated water bottles. You could add one to your car easy. Their is already a coolant circuit going to water bottle. The hoses are 3/8 I'd or so and fir perfect on my Elsbett fphes. These are small but easy to mount and are not brass but rather aluminum and have built in fittings. I've got an extra ill sell you if need it. I also have bigger ones.

Now it turns out a Vw Tdi filter sits perfectly in that water bottle and seals it prett good on the top and has built in fittings. 17.00 plus ahipping is cost online some places One thing you have to remember to do is take the thermostat control off the heater in the water bottle. It's easy. Just remove and splice together with a couple inches of hose.

I strap my fphe to water bottle with wire or ratchet strap or something. Then Unplug hoses from water bottle and hook the to the fphe then back to water bottle. Coolant circuit done. Then plop a Vw filter in water bottle and keep it full. Easy to install, easy to change filters and doesn't cut into the original stuff. Also everything is in the right general area of where you need it to tie into fuel and coolant systems.

My lazy self was pretty pleased with the simple elegance of it all. No screws or brackets needed . Since you don't have the heated circuit you'll have to t off your line coming out the engine going to heater core and and then return it across the front of the engine down to where the aux circulating pump is and t in there. I can post a pic tomorrow. Pm me. I can hook u up with hole rig or an upgrade to an 1987 td wagon. :D

Pete,

You described exactly where I was going to put both Tee's for the FPHE. Sounds like a working plan. I'm off to the hardware store tomorrow to scrounge up some parts.

Glenn

Biopete,

Could you possibly post those pictures you were talking about? Many thanks

Glenn

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/alternative-fuels/307652-best-fphe-recommendations-flat-plate-heat-exchanger-fphe-2.html
I axed the same question here...

Great post....Thank for the link, it answered my questions!

For Pics of a system see my link below

I used a fphe and injection line heaters from Fattywagons. The fphe heated the fuel to pass thru the IP,then my heaters took oil to 225 degrees for injection.With my heaters I could start a cold engine after I heated the lines.I ran no more than 50% wvo to diesel.That way I didn't have to heat fuel going from tank to the motor.My fuel was filtered in cold tempertures to get rid of animal fats,that can clog a filter.