Diesel Injector Line Heaters for cold starts. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tradonguy · #1 03-02-2006, 09:01 AM

I have a 1981 300SD and live in northern BC, Canada and want to find the best way of starting my car when it has been sitting unplugged for more than an hour. I heard there were some 12 volt heaters that could be put on the injector lines where the heat is needed the most for starting. If anyone knows where I could buy them or have any other suggestions, please let me know. I plan to hook them up to a second battery in the trunk. I've looked into the Webasto and Espar type heaters but they're really expensive. Another option would be a fuel filter heater but I don't know where I would get one of those either. Thanks.

Ralph69220d · #2 03-02-2006, 09:11 AM

There are companie's that sell low-voltage tape heaters that are relatively inexpensive.

tradonguy · #3 03-02-2006, 09:44 AM

Are these low-voltage tape heaters something that I could pick up at an automotive store or a hardware store? I've seen them at mobile home parts dealers and hardware stores but the ones that I've seen are all 120 volt. If they do come in 12 volt to be hooked up to a battery, that would be fantastic. Thanks.

tenknots · #4 03-02-2006, 10:24 AM

Here's where you need to go: http://www.fattywagons.com/fwproducts.htm

They sell injector line heaters that alot of the WVO guys swear by. They're cheap and run off 12 volts. I've heard that some guys run them for three minutes before starting and it makes a huge difference.

There's lots of heat stuff the WVO crowd uses - if you want heated filters, in-line fuel heaters, etc, do a search for wvo and heating.

tradonguy · #5 03-02-2006, 10:34 AM

Wow. That setup looks perfect. Can you tell by looking at that picture whether I have to remove the injector lines to install that heater? And should I buy two, do you think, for a 5 cylinder diesel? Thanks very much for your help on this one. That looks fantastic.

tenknots · #6 03-02-2006, 10:45 AM

No, you don't have to remove the injector lines. It is sized to fit a 5-cylinder MB diesel. I'm sure a call to the company could answer your questions - the owner is a contributor to some wvo sites.

There is a technique to installing them that you should be familiar with - here is a page with installation instructions: http://www.fattywagons.com/install%20page.htm

dannym · #7 03-02-2006, 10:50 AM

Try here:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=fuel+line+heaters&btnG=Google+Search

OMEGAMAN · #8 03-02-2006, 04:17 PM

I used to live in PG when I was a kid that place was cold. How much snow do you get there now?

tradonguy · #9 03-02-2006, 04:31 PM

Thanks for the information guys.
Prince George has experienced a little warmer temperatures as a result of the so-called global warming but we still get -20C or colder temperatures for short periods of time. We've had maybe up to a foot of snow accumulated over this past winter.
Because, as of August this year after my Honda lease is up, the Mercedes 300SD will be our only vehicle for next winter, I just want to make sure that I am prepared for those cold days when I can't plug the car in.

carwithfarts · #10 03-02-2006, 06:55 PM

The product looks awesome....im planning on doing some major updates to the benz and im gonna have to add these to the list....i am a little concerned about the messy install procedure but i gues thats what you get when you heat things up to 200 degrees f.

tradonguy · #11 03-07-2006, 09:12 AM

I noticed there are two fuel lines, one above the other, coming into the engine compartment on the driver's side of the engine where the fuel filter is. Does anyone know why there are two fuel lines? If one is a return line, which one is it? The upper one or the lower one? One in mine goes to the big fuel filter and one goes to the bottom of the fuel pump and it has a small heater on it. I just want to know if that makes sense.